Album of the Day

David Bowie died less than a week after final album Blackstar was released and this parting gift to fans continues to reward adventurous listeners. Though created with longtime collaborator Tony Visconti, the core of the backing band was a New York jazz quartet; as the producer noted, “If we'd used [Bowie's] former musicians they would be rock people playing jazz … Having jazz guys play rock music turns it upside down.” Also influenced by hip-hop, the 2016 collection stands among the legendary artist's most experimental, with “Lazarus,” “I Can't Give Everything Away” and the title track among the highlights. Blackstar debuted at No.1, earned five Grammy Awards, and was acclaimed among the decade’s best by such outlets as Billboard, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone.