Blackstar

Blackstar was released on January 8, 2016—David Bowie's 69th birthday—and just two days before his death from liver cancer on January 10, 2016. Many listeners and critics have interpreted the album's lyrics, particularly in 'Lazarus' and the title track, as Bowie's intentional artistic farewell, though he never publicly disclosed his illness.

Blackstar features a lineup of New York jazz musicians including saxophonist Donny McCaslin, pianist Jason Lindner, bassist Tim Lefebvre, and drummer Mark Guiliana, alongside longtime Bowie collaborator guitarist Earl Slick. The jazz ensemble gives the album its dark, experimental sound blending art rock, jazz, and electronic music.

'Lazarus' was written as part of the music for the off-Broadway musical 'Lazarus' (2015), co-written by Bowie and Irish playwright Enda Walsh as a sequel to The Man Who Fell to Earth. After Bowie's death, the song's lyrics—'Look up here, I'm in heaven'—were widely interpreted as a direct reference to his terminal diagnosis.

The album was recorded at the Magic Shop and Human Worldwide studios in New York City in sessions spanning early to mid-2015. Bowie worked closely with his longtime producer Tony Visconti, who described the sessions as joyful and creatively free despite Bowie's declining health.