Whether it be due to a sad passing or a band breaking up, there comes a point when an artist or a band releases their final album ever.
Some of the best works have come from final albums, and are usually a grand and final farewell that compels listeners to divulge more meaning from the projects. While there are numerous great final albums, here are some of our favourites.
5. David Bowie – Blackstar
Listen to ‘Blackstar’ below:
Blackstar is the twenty-fifth and final album released by David Bowie before his passing three years ago. This album was a brilliant farewell, as its lyrical composition detailed Bowies long battle with cancer and prophesised his fatality, with Bowie passing just a few days after its release. With lyrics like “Where the fuck did Monday go”, and Bowie dying on a Sunday, it’s easy to say that the man knew he wouldn’t live long past the release of this magnum opus. Every song is chilling in its self-awareness and became just that extra bit obvious in theme after the beloved artist passed away. A truly harrowing listen.
4. The Beatles – Let It Be
Listen to ‘Let It Be’ below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcdNzMMvF_k
Although this wasn’t the last recorded album, that being Abbey Road in 1969, Let it Be wasn’t materialised until 1970. By the time of the release of the album, John had already left and the other members were already preparing to go their own ways. It’s a great listen to celebrate the conclusion of an inimitable band.
3. Leonard Cohen – You Want It Darker
Listen to ‘You Want It Darker’ below:
You Want It Darker is the fourteenth and final album by Leonard Cohen before he passed away. The album is full of emotional ballads that depict a sense of finality, focusing on death and religion alike. Written as he neared the end of his life, this album is full of bleak yet poetic tunes that, similar to Bowie’s last project, give a sense of a man who knows he will not be alive for long.
2. Nirvana – In Utero
Listen to ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ below:
The third and final album by Nirvana looked to diverge from any sort of polished or radio-friendly sound and capture something more abrasive and natural. The album carried much harsher tunes than the band’s previous albums and is fully worth listening to in full.
Love The Beatles?
Get the latest The Beatles news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
1. Jeff Buckley – Grace
Listen to ‘Hallelujah’ below:
Grace was the only album released by Jeff Buckley before his untimely death. The album showcases the power and emotion in Buckley’s voice, and it’s a shame that this project was his only work. In this album, he also covers some songs including Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’.
Unfortunately, all things must come to an end, but the music so beautifully expressed by these artists will last forever. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to these albums we highly recommend taking the time to listen to them in their entirety.
