Before he died I thought Blackstar was a really interesting new area for him, musically, with that jazzy combo backing him. And the song "Blackstar" was haunting from the start, even in back in November. I had just interpreted the song "Lazurus" as being from the character from "Man who fell to Earth", as he is now in the new play up in NY. I'd figured I would let the album grow on me and just enjoy it as new Bowie music, which I've always been glad to have over the years. I've pretty much bought everything he's put out, as soon as it came out, all along.
Now, of course, Blackstar is his final statement, which certainly makes it a sad listen now that he's gone. In particular, that last song, "I Can't Give Everything Away" .. woah.
But the energy and weirdness of a track like "Tis a Pity She's a Whore", especially with the way it really starts to swing toward the end, and Bowie starts letting out these "whoop" shouts ... that shows there was rock and life in the old sick guy yet, which is certainly the way to go out.