“A blackstar need not have an event horizon, and may or may not be a transitional phase between a collapsing star and a singularity.”

As the world now knows, Blackstar was released two days before Bowie’s death. As such it represents something a little more poignant than it ordinarily would have and it became his first US number one pretty much immediately. As far as swansongs go, Blackstar is somewhat spectacular and, knowing what we now know, it is clear that Bowie was well aware of his impending demise with the music and songs being introspective and somewhat sombre, but you know what, Blackstar also manages to be uplifting and rousing.

Blackstar pulls in bits of jazz, drum and bass, and more leftfield pop and it will challenge (didn’t Bowie always challenge what was expected of him) listeners expecting radio friendly and accessible tunes, it manages to be both epic and reserved at the same time.

Blackstar is a beautiful record that really doesn’t need my review or recommendation. It is going to be bought by fans and music lovers whatever, and to say more than I have said would be superfluous.

David Bowie – 8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016