Blackstar- My First Posthumous Listen

A few weeks ago, I reviewed David Bowie's new album, Blackstar. In it, I described my appreciation for Bowie's experimentation, but said the record might not exactly be for me. I said I liked it, but didn't love it, but was still looking forward to what he was going to do next. Unfortunately, this would be his last album, as he would pass away a few days after I reviewed the album. His long time battle with cancer was a complete secret and shocker to most, but his music leaves an awe inspiring account of facing death and the recognition of one's own mortality and the contemplation of one's own legacy. 

With his cancer battle now public knowledge, the allusions in the lyrics and videos become much more obvious, and the oblique references and confusing lines become that much more tangible. Even the title alludes to the burning out of a star, which is probably the most elegant metaphor Bowie could have possibly chosen, given his iconic status and to his career long flirtation with space themes and imagery. Blackstar will go down as one of those albums that possesses so much self awareness, and the themes of the project become all the more important and meaningful once the artist who made it passes. This joins Joy Division's Closer and Manic Street Preachers' Holy Bible in this realm of eerie foreshadowing. David Bowie was already speaking from beyond the grave; we just didn't know it at the time.

While some of my opinions on the album still stand, my first listens to the album after Bowie's passing were that much more informed, and the confusing nature of the music suddenly made complete sense. Death is still a mystery to us all, and we have no idea where we'll go, or what will happen to us. David Bowie tackled this feeling and his own mortality with such courage and artistry, and rarely do artists have such an opportunity to reflect and create a project that analyzes their life and the culmination of their work. I'm so glad that Bowie had this opportunity, and though I, like many, are saddened by his loss, he stayed true to form and delivered a great performance to the very end. 

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