ISODespite only being released at the beginning of 2016, David Bowie's final studio album has quickly come to be regarded as one of the musician's best releases, which is incredibly impressive given the fact that it follows the likes of The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, Aladdin Sane, Low and Heroes. The intense memorability of Blackstar is somewhat wrapped up in the context of its release, and the fact that it came out two days before the musician's tragic death to cancer. On its own, the album is brilliant as is it received critical acclaim upon its release, even before anyone knew he was ill but there's no denying Bowie's death elevated the record into the realms of immense profundity. Going into Blackstar knowing it was written while Bowie was aware of his terminal illness lends the whole thing an amazing poignancy. This, coupled with the fact that it's Bowie's strangest, most experimental and at times downright creepy release in several decades makes the first listen completely unforgettable. Hearing the haunting prophecy of Lazarus (look up here, I'm in heaven) and the pained resignation of the record's closing track I Can't Give Everything Away (I know something is very wrong) is a musical experience matched by few others.
