Today marks 10 years since David Bowie released his 26th and final album ★ (pronounced “Blackstar”). It was released on his birthday. 2 days after it released, Bowie was dead, having been secretly battling cancer for some time.
In immediate hindsight, ★ was clearly made as a farewell from Bowie, the album explores themes of death throughout, such as how on the track “Lazarus“ where Bowie sings “look up here, I’m in Heaven.“ There’s also Dollar Days, where Bowie repeatedly sings “I’m dying too,“ which was initially just interpreted as the turn of phrase meaning eagerness to do something, but after his death, it was seen as him literally telling the world he was dying.
Throughout the album it continuously opens the jaws of death and lets the listener vicariously explore what its like to stare death in the face. Along with that, ★ is one of Bowie’s most experimental records, having been inspired by of all things To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. And no, Bowie doesn’t start rapping lol, rather he took the inspiration and fused jazz and saxophone elements into art rock instrumentals like how Kendrick incorporated jazz elements with hip hop.
I recommend this album btw, its obviously heavy in tone but it never is entirely dreary either, its imo the greatest swan song and farewell from what was a legendary musician. To take your own death and turn it into art and one of your best works is pretty damn impressive. Happy 10 years ★!
