I’m bound to think of ‘Black Star’, one of my favourite Radiohead tracks of them all but this is Bowie, so I must pay attention.  David Bowie has been there, seen it, done it, got the t-shirt, so why does he bother?  For flashes of brilliance, like new track ‘Lazarus’, for the money or, like me, as a hobby to fill in his dwindling time?

Blackstar

‘The Next Day’, Bowie’s last album from 2013, was a bit more guitars and drums; old school Bowie, whatever that means? Aladdin Sane, Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke? It did seem to mark a ‘hobbyist’ phase but this new album, “as it seems to me…”, marks a new phase of more complex, thoughtful, ethereal contemporary music. And I really like it, infused with crazy improvised jazz work in large parts it reaches many high points, ‘Lazarus’, ‘Sue’ and the 10 minute title track to name a few.

With very high production values, beautiful presentation, (very explicit lyrics) and great pace I really like this new album from David Bowie. We have no idea where Bowie will go next but I’d love to see a 26th album and a tour to follow.

In trading circles, ‘So goes January, so goes the year’, and with albums expected this year from U2, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran and more this is an amazing start to 2016, and I can’t wait.

Album – Blackstar
Artist – David Bowie
Source – Tidal, FLAC
Player/Streamer – Apple iMac
Amplifier – Acoustic Research UA-1
Output – Oppo PM-2, open backed planar magnetic headphones

Track Review

Blackstar – ***
‘Tis a pity she was a whore – ***
Lazarus – ****
Sue – ****
Girl loves me – **
Dollar Days – ***
I can’t give everything away – ****

7 tracks, 41’13”