You Want It Darker

What a beautiful and heartbreaking album. Released just a few weeks before he passed. Ugh. He still had it til the end.

I wouldn't call myself a Cohen fan by any stretch of the imagination, being more familiar with his songs as performed by other artists. I bought this album on the strength of the use of the title track as the theme for the Black Earth Rising TV series, but in the end the whole album captivated me. In places Cohen sounds old and frail, but that only adds rather than detracts. It reflects on his past life and offers advice to those he leaves behind. It's an outstanding album to sign off with, his Blackstar.

loved it!

This album will forever and always reminds me of Budapest. I adore this record.

Hauntingly Beautiful. I love the choirsong. 5

I don't claim to be intimately familiar with his discography, but this seems like a master work. His poetry is so unique, and his voice is so dark and rich, the mood meets the words so well. A powerful listen.

I've listened to this album several times before. Not much voice left in him, but what a voice. Great feel for the music.

A striking meditation on god, love, and death. Leonard Cohen has always had tension throughout his work, but this album sees the tension unresolved and left to us, the listener. His voice and the subtle instrumentation command attention and leave the listener with a profound sense of loss.

Incredible that in the same year as Bowie's Blackstar another legendary artist released an album days before his death, apparently in the knowledge that it would be his last, and delivered it with such poise. Both the darker and the more soulful numbers therefore come with added gravitas, (helped by Cohen's badass old man voice ofc), and his gift for dispensing great wisdom in pithy phrases is evident throughout. 'As he died to make men holy, let us die to make things cheap'. Yep. 4.5

More interesting musically than Songs From A Room, but the same evocative lyrics full of pathos and perfectly honed turns of phrase. Peak Cohen in my opinion.

The title of this album is perfect. I had said in my notes on “Songs of Love and Hate” that I was really interested in listening to more early Leonard Cohen, since the album I had been most familiar with was from the 80s. Why didn’t I pay attention when he made music in the 21st century? I didn’t even really aware of this later work. It was rather amazing to jump almost 50 years in his career. His voice still mesmerizes me. His words are still somewhat inscrutable but always intriguing. The composition, instrumentation, and backing vocals are amazing and beautiful in this. I think it’s interesting that the composer of the title track’s music is the co-writer of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” It has more in common than I would have thought. I love the organ and backing choir. The religious feel is intense. It’s a feel that carries through the rest of the album. “Treaty” carries so much pain and regret it’s hard to listen to. And then “Leaving the Table” comes on with even more...although there seems to be some relief in letting go. But that’s still pretty heavy. Come to think of it, “Traveling Light” also has a similar story. “If I Didn’t Have Your Love” at least suggests an intense love, but focuses on a pretty dang dark “what if?”. We then get in to some interesting religious pain and regret territory with “It Seemed the Better Way” and “Steer Your Way.” Mind you, I love these songs so much that you may find me in a dark room listening to them again and again, and it may be a good idea to get me outside in the sunshine.

I was not familiar with this album, but after Songs of Love and Hate, I have been intrigued with LC. This album did not disappoint. I didn’t expect the spoken lyrics, but I though that the tone with the accompanying music was beautiful. What a treasure.

Sublime. I've been to church. I am stunned and grateful.

Stórkostlegt verk!

On sillä Leonardilla aika möreä ääni. Tunnelmallisia biisejä ja lämpimiä tunteita. Treaty(t) jäi tästä parhaiten mieleen. Sen verran vahva like, että pakko antaa vitonen!

10/10

Underbart, mörkt och fullständigt fantastiskt. Ett av mina absoluta favoritalbum just, och kanske även sen.

Se calhar escrevo isto de uma forma emotiva, mas este álbum é qualquer coisa. Possui uma aura triste a sua volta que prende e atrai. A simplicidade e o tom da voz de Cohen enquadra se perfeitamente ao tom sombrio do álbum com um arranjo instrumental mais solene que se junta tão bem a sua voz. Não sei o que se passa, mas terei de dar um 9, fiquei muito intrigado e agradado com este álbum. Nota 9/10

Wow. This was truly an experience. I'm glad I already rolled a couple of Cohen's earliest albums before I got this one. I hadn't found either particularly remarkable, but having heard them made "You Want It Darker" all the sweeter. Cohen had grown better with time, apparently; his music was now more varied, yet more cohesive; his lyrics were finally engaging; even his voice grizzled into a seductive register that perfectly matched the tone. And the end result: this album—his final album—the story of a weary, bitter man, who is finally confronting the mistakes that have haunted him all his life. He doesn't demand your sympathy; he doesn't even want it. But you give it to him, because you're still human, after all; and then it's over, and he's gone, and somehow you feel both entirely empty and overwhelmingly full. I'm going to need some more time to mentally process this one. But that's okay. It's going to stick with me the rest of my life, and I'm perfectly happy for it to do so.

better than I was expecting, I had a rough time with the first few songs sorry, I love Leonard Cohens older stuff but his voice felt really jarring on this album, with some songs it worked really well but with others it was just too awkward although the more I listened through the album, the more I warmed up to the vocals what I really loved about it was the composition of these tracks beautiful, beautiful instrumentation I think Traveling Light really stood out to me, that was really cool production Also that String Reprise was really nice Overall a really great album, while I had trouble with the vocals I think the rest of the album sells it for me - 9/10

Deep and meaningful

The first time I listened to Leonard Cohen, better than two decades ago, was a transformative day for me and I can still remember the incense smell of the room the first time I put needle to wax and the sepia tones of the Seattle front yard that I sat in when I played it a second time immediately afterwards. This is not that album and I only mention it as I may never get to write about that record and as a primer to say I may not be able to be objective about Leonard Cohen and these tracks. He is unassailable to me. His late in life gravel voice is simultaneously profoundly comforting while inducing heartache. He opens me up and strips away all my armor. I am never more open to my feelings then in the moments following a close LC listen. The three albums that he put out over the seven years leading up to You Want It Darker laid the groundwork for this release. Cohen was a man who had lived an incredibly full life, who was ready to die, but still had so much to say and give to his fans. This album was released just a few week's before Cohen died and this record was his beautiful parting gift. He was a poet that remained in top form all the way to the end.

A beautiful swan song from one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. R.I.P.

Oscurísimo, excelente.

five stars all day long

Only one of us was real.

The last album of Leonard Cohen is about saying goodbye and leaving it all behind. Very impressive with moving lyrics and a voice so low and broken it is almost not human anymore.

Inmortal.

Отличный альбом, думаю стоит вернуться полностью слушая лирику. Traveling Light / You Want It Darker зацепили с первого прослушивания.

Very peculiar

Fantástico

Incredible - deeply moving.

Another one for Nic

Wonderbar. Treaty / treaty reprise standouts.

Ja, dit album kan ik niet luisteren zonder het in de context te zetten. Wat een prachtparel over het leven en de naderende dood

Dark but great

Amazing album

OSCURO, MAJO

¡Fantástico!

Refrescante ver a alguien haciendo un disco de 9 canciones y 36 minutos. Directo a lo que va a decir y punto. Lleno de reflexiones de una persona entrada en años, este disco se siente honesto y directo, con un mensaje claro sobre lo único que pareciera seguir importando al final, las relaciones de pareja y con dios. Resignado donde debe y cuestionando lo que queda claro, es un disco muy personal. Es el segundo disco que escucho en esta lista y fue una experiencia completamente diferente. Discazo.

La primera vez que escuché a Leonard Cohen fue en el soundtrack de Watchmen. De inmediato me atrapó la voz, una voz muy profunda y grave, como la de Barry White, pero en el lado triste del espectro. ¿Qué puedo decir sobre el disco? Es una chingonería, quizá con excepción de alguna canción por ahí que está medio meh. Es importante mencionar que el disco me agradó no sólo por la voz, la voz es un complemento de la música y la melodía, y en la mayoría de las canciones la combinación de ambas proyecta un sentimiento melancólico, pero a la vez poderoso, casi como una súplica.

Végig lenyűgözött, szövegek elképesztők, hangulat kell hozzá, de nyári estéhez bármikor.

Tout simplement dévasté.

Like almost all Cohen albums, great. Gets a little boring at times though.

Occasionally this album dips into too-gravelly-for-me territory, but mostly it’s raw and dark. It touches on a deep connection with life-love-loss, a dying mans last message in a bottle to span generations through a gift of poetry and music. Calling out to the infinite ‘what now?’ Beautiful. You want it darker - gets me everytime.

When a person is close to death you are conscious of the fact that every interaction with them is, on some level, on their terms; whatever of their limited time and attention they choose to give you is what they give you, and you've no right to demand anything more. Whatever they want to talk about is what you're going to talk about. If they want to try and settle up with God and their children and their lovers and their affair partners of decades past then you will sit and dutifully take notes and make any necessary phone calls. And if all the voice they have left is a low rumble then so be it; singing was never their strength anyway. All of Leonard Cohen's music is about impermanence in one way or another; people tumble into bed and out of love with each other, grow together, grow apart. And it's easy to argue that this may have been self-fulfilling, that Cohen's acute awareness that every relationship has a shelf life was in fact what caused the end of those relationships. It hurts nonetheless, and no more so than at the end of Cohen's life, as he confronts the loneliness of his next step. "Steer your way through the pain that is far more real than you," he counsels, having diagnosed himself but unable to turn back time and heal himself. On this album he confesses his cowardice, acknowleges he has no right to any end other than the one he's getting, tries to make his peace with it, succeeds somewhat. Temporarily, of course - respite always is with a restless soul like him. This is a difficult listen and not exciting - but it matters, and if he's going to give us this last little bit of his attention then perhaps we owe some of ours in return.

I have heard so much negative talk about Leonard cohen but never heard any of his stuff. I was excited to see why I’ve heard so much hate for him and rather enjoyed this.

Leonard Cohen visits common themes of love, rejection, and Judeo-Christianity on his last album. It's hard not to feel the weight of finality in his lyrics and vocals knowing he died a few weeks after the album's release. Lyrically as poignant as ever with each song working as a stand-alone poem. "If I Didn't Have Your Love", in particular, is one of his best poems set to music. Sonically, he relies (as always) too much on pre-programmed drums but uses a backing choir, strings, and some klezmer-esque instrumentation to great effect. Probably not an album I will listen to over and over but it is a beautiful reflection on an incredible artist's life.

Me pareció bastante nostálgico, melancólico y existencialista. La voz del cantante es bastante caricaturezca y dramática, pero el álbum parece una conversación constante con dios, con la muerte y el mismo, refleja resignación y aceptación de la muerte y lo que fue su vida

Back to back Leonard but this one was a bit better.

His voice is very relaxing and calming, I love it. At first listen, the album can seem a little repetitive, but I found it interesting. I love the violin. I didn't reallt digest the lyrics yet

Powerful album. Pretty touching actually.

I’ve been waiting/looking forward to some Leonard Cohen to come up, unfamiliar with more than his name, but knowing my dad was a big fan. Wasn’t quite ready for it today but still listened for much of the day and actually found it really good company. Kind of comforting some how. Fave track is the title track. 4

very good. voice is just not my personal style

Dark, moody, and thoughtful. Perfect for a stormy day, or when you're drinking, smoking, and drinking coffee at the all night dive down the street.

Quiet, dark, and meditative

Not my style of music, but done really well. Beautiful deep voice

Gorgeous and sweetly wistful.

It would be a true failing to deny Leonard Cohen’s song writing ability. Every song is beautiful and poetic; somber and full of regrets of a life long lived and a love completely lost. The instrumentals are enthralling, rounding out a great accompaniment. My only critique of this album comes from what is clearly an older and worn out voice. I’m not completely familiar with Leonard’s previous works, but he could only somewhat carry a tune on this album. Each song was more talk-sung in a manner that I’m sure Ron Perlman could replicate perfectly at any karaoke night. I don’t wish to disparage Leonard, but it was hard not to notice out the gate that this album is a testament to an aging musician who has many regrets. The biggest being his lost love(s).

Deadpan and gorgeous, morbid but with a light touch. What a feat.

Not his best, but still an exceptional record, especially given the circumstances surrounding its recording and release. Loved it.

Very sad and heavy, it was such a deep album and his voice was just… art

This was such a surprise to how good it was. It made me feel like I was in a smoky basement room, having a nice scotch, while one of the greats sat on stage and read to me his own eulogy. A man at the end of his great life full of accomplishments looking at me and telling me all of his regrets. It's an amazing album, it rewards a critical listen. And the title track is an absolute banger.

Banger, har ikke så god tid til lige at reviewe mere, men STÆRK 4'er. Ved ikke havd der skulle til for at det får 5, måske et par lytninger mere...

Very enjoyable listen, excited for other Leonard Cohen albums to come up

Surprisingly beautiful. His tone compliments the instrumentation perfectly

A beautiful farewell album

Knowing almost nothing about Leonard Cohen and listening to this album was a treat. Excited to listen to more of his work. I really appreciated the melancholic, yet hopeful and appreciative demeanor displayed throughout.

WHAT A VOICE THAT IS!!!

The obvious comparison is Blackstar, and like that album it’s impossible to separate the death from the album. It’s a swan song, a heavy laden one at that. The music could be better but it is a great listen regardless

Very human, very real. 4.5 stars

Much like Bob Dylan, Cohen takes what might be a weakness in lesser hands -- an aged, weathered voice -- and turns it into an asset on a late period album. The production is great (something that's often been a mixed bag on Cohen albums), the lyrics are dope, and it sounds both timeless and weird at the same time. It might be my favorite Leonard Cohen album. 4.5 stars.

It still surprises me to find so many of Leonard Cohen’s albums on this list. Even on *You Want It Darker*, there are no songs in the strict sense - in fact, they are more like poems recited to music (though, unlike *I’m Your Man*, the music here is more fitting). What makes the whole thing impressive is that Cohen is quite obviously “singing” about his approaching death here - largely without fear, at times with deep melancholy, but always from a place of ataraxia. I don’t know if I’ll listen to this album again, but “hear before you die” is actually a fitting recommendation here!

Leonard Cohen, to some extent, absolutely ruined songwriting for decades to come. His imitators are ubiquitous, and his style no longer his. That being said, Cohen, the icon, remained so totally able to command such a high register of emotional wholeness, that even in his last years, he preserved his artistic voice, complete and self-justifying. It is confident in a way few songwriters survive long enough to become. He still knew what he was talking about, somehow. Rest in peace. Four flat.

Oké dit is wel dingetje. Ik weet nog niet wat ik van dit album moet vinden…. De stem van de zanger vind ik bijzonder? Fijn en naar tegelijk om lang naar te luisteren? En dan muziek aanzich, die best goed technisch in elkaar zit. Maar toch als een mismatch voelt? Ik ga dit album herluisteren, wie weet wat ik er dan van ga vinden. Vandaag het album nog eens beluisterd, maar deze keer echt met aandacht. Dat maakt mijn beleving echt anders. Hoewel ik niet elk lied evengoed kan waarderen merk ik dat is de ambiance die gezet wordt door de plaat wel enorm kan waarderen. Een solide 3.5

Een prachtig album, en Leonard Cohens stem is als een oude wijn die met de jaren alleen maar beter wordt. Dit is de stem die ik het meest waardeer bij hem. Het album is zorgvuldig opgebouwd, met een gedragen, minimalistisch en goed uitgebalanceerd geluid. Wat dit soort albums zo bijzonder maakt, zoals David Bowies Blackstar, is de reflectie op het leven, de berusting en het laatste afscheid.

Very good, but I will need to relisten it again to truly understand the lyrics. You want it darker was such a good opener for the album

Subdued but atmospheric. Very good.

good, particularly the title track.

I liked this album quite a bit. "You Want It Darker" does have a major problem, though. Cohen's voice had deteriorated on the album. which is understandable since he was nearing death during the recording of "You Want It Darker". Even then, Leonard Cohen's songwriting remained intact despite everything. In fact, I prefer him over Bob Dylan. 4 stars for "You Want It Darker".

Maybe this is because I'm not a poetry person but this feels less like a song and more like a performance that involves the audience snapping in response. It know spoken word is kind of his whole schtick but it's just not for me. As always, the melodies and instrumentals are gorgeous, the lyrics are incredible, but it's not really ... singing, is it? I respect his talent immensely and I understand why this album has so many rave five star reviews but it is just not for me. It's still getting 4 stars because I can recognize what a profoundly important and beautifully crafted album it is, I just will never listen to it again.

There’s something so devastatingly elegiac about this album, Cohen’s once velvet voice is reduced to a husky, almost spoken-word timbre. There’s reflections on relationships, religion and love, all swimming in the beautifully soulful orchestrations in the background and the rumbling bass of Cohen’s voice.

А я был бы и не против до конца списка слушать альбомы коэна) Лучше так, чем очередной бритпоп

A beautiful album. Some great tracks. Very meaningful origin story for why this album exists. Gets the "I'm gonna die soon" bump from 3.5 stars up to 4.

This is a Light 9,It's pretty great and so far Cohen's Best

Wow, still an incredible songwriting talent. A nearly 50 years between his first album on this list and his last and both are incredible. Not sure how much I’m going to listen to this one again given how heavy it is. But I can’t give it less than four stars.

A sad and moving final album

Probably his best album, because his darkest.

I was fully prepared to hate this, I was never a fan of Leonard Cohen. But the opening title track was very, very cool. Simple backing, almost spoken-word growly singing (shades of Tom Waits and Nick Cave), simple rhythm and rhymes but great words. Deep conviction and striking imagery. The rest of the tracks weren't as good (for me), but I found this a lot more accessible than his other work.

A remarkable leaving note from Leonard Cohen, with a haunting quality appropriate to a musician making his final statement. The title track gets it off to a brilliant start, and Treaty is a beautiful follow up showcasing Cohen’s poetic lyrics. It’s held back from a 5 by the sound not really evolving beyond that for the rest of the album, but still an arrestingly good set of songs.

Another great album released in 2016 by a music legend just before their death. The mesmerising title track sets the dark tone, and remains the best track. But the whole album is a compelling exploration of death and faith. ‘Treaty’ and ‘Travelling Light’ are my other two favourites.

A fantastic final offering from a great songwriter, definitely one of his strongest albums, with tracks reflecting on his impending mortality, disillusionment with religion, letting go, love and breaking up, and finding your path in life. Its only real flaw is that the brooding, haunting title track is so good, nothing else quite lives up to it. ‘Treaty’, ‘On the Level’, ‘If I Didn’t Have Your Love’ and ‘Steer Your Way’ come the closest, though every song here is really strong, with exquisite arrangements and production. A brilliant album, one that I could easily see as a future 5 stars.

This is really good. REALLY good. Great even. But i think Leonard is also a genius for knowing how long to make an album. I don’t know if i’d be up for doing this for double the length. #2harrowed

Its sad, but its good

Maximum gravel vocals with a vibe that you are riding in a the back of a hearse to the other side. My first time really listening to Leonard and his voice feels so distinctive already. It seems like he suffered to put this out and it feels like you can hear it.

Cohen's voice on this album is like a big warm blanket that wraps around you and feels safe and cosy. I kinda love this. I have a strange relationship with Cohen, sometimes he's too much, but this album is just right. It's familiar, interesting, reassuringly Cohenesque.

I grew up listening to Leonard Cohen thanks to my mum, who would always pick his albums as background music to make ironing more pleasurable. For this, his voice sits close to my heart. I'll give this album a 4 because I like his previous work better.

Everything Leonard Cohen did was iconic and this album is no exception. It’s haunting and hypnotic, and makes it even more wild how close this was released to his death. It’s the most beautifully poetic final album for such a one of a kind talent. Top Songs: You Want It Darker, Treaty, Leaving the Table, It Seemed the Better Way

This is another album that suddenly clicked for me 2/3s of the way through. Cohen's voice may be extremely limited by this point in his life, but he still makes his available vocal register work with an expertise that only comes with years in the industry. To imagine him, sick and dying in his home, having dragged all of his equipment in to accommodate his failing body, as he belts out to God about his life and legacy is brutal and emotionally taxing in a way I haven't felt from an album in a long time. I feel as though a few of these tracks could probably have been left off and contribute very little, but when this album hits it hits like a truck, and I have nothing but respect for it because of that.

Listens: 3 Standout tracks: You Want It Darker, Treaty, Traveling Light I think this is my third Leonard Cohen album. While listening, I couldn't help but think he sounds like that theme song from S02 of True Detective "Nevermind"... Lo and behold, that is his song; ha! This is a very personal album (for him). Released 17 days before he passed away. It's clear he put a lot of effort into the album. Its very well put together. His husky voice, the backing vocals, the cadence in his delivery of the lyrics, the music. All great.

Legend.

Final album generated during my time living in Europe. Fitting somewhat since this is Leonard Cohen's last album before he died. It is quite emotional and produced fine enough for an aging artist in the 2010s. Still, not as powerful as Blackstar but still a nice quick listen.

It Seemed The Better Way

Was really good. not exactly my vibe but i enjoyed listening to it the whole way through

I hadn’t listened to this one before, but it’s exactly what I thought Leonard Cohen’s death would sound like.

Really dug this, more than other Cohen I've heard

A fitting swansong for the legendary poet and songwriter.

Leaving The Table kinda says it all.

In the shelves with the Ls

Never listened. Expectations: High - Verdict: Great - I have loved the title track since it came out but never listened to the full album. The lyrics are as stunning as you would expect from Cohen. The smoky feel of this album with the impossibly deep and weary voice is just amazing. Something about it reminds me of Dylan's Time Out Of Mind. Overall a beautiful epitaph for one of the great artists. Surpassed my already high expectations.

The opening track did almost put me off, I went into this with no expectation and I actually began to really enjoy it, defo need to have another listen to pick out the tracks that stood out the most but a pleasant surprise!

Reminds me of Disco Elysium of all things Very interesting but for sure an acquired taste.

not my style but good

I was really drawn into this, but no, no darker, please.

Cohen är gammal och skrovlig. Lite väl skrovlig för min smak. Cohens röst (tillsammans med nått som ska likna native amarican kör, förbud på den) är nog det som drar ned omdömet mest på ett annars ganska bra album. Cohen gör inte som Bowie och är nyskapande in döden (han har väl aldrig varit just nyskapande). Men det han gör, gör han bra. Fin melodier och fina små berättelser från en man som snart vet att hans tid är kommen. Gillar speciellt On the level, stråkarna i Steer your way och It seemed the better way där de religiösa grubblerierna i livets slutskede får stå i centrum. Det räcker precis till en fyra även om Cohens sånginsats hör hemma på lägre våningar.

He was 82 when he record this. So bent and broken he had to sit in a custom chair while recording to relieve the pain in his spine. He died shortly after this and yet he’s still sexier than you and will still steal your girl.

Later Leonard.

Bleak warmth.

It is difficult to separate Leonard Cohen’s album "You Want It Darker" from his death, for the artist passed away almost as soon as it was released – an analogy to David Bowie’s "Blackstar". As with “Blackstar”, the album is a final, significant statement by a great artist at the end of his career (I shall ignore the posthumously released Cohen album “Thanks for the Dance” for now, as it was only completed after Cohen’s death). The album powerfully explores the themes of death, closure, turning to God, (final) love, and looking back. It contains some of Cohen’s finest songs from the last 40 years: the title track (featuring the wonderful Jewish chants of a cantor and choir), “Treaty” and “Travelling Light”. Cohen’s voice sounds like a soft hum, the music is often sparse, and the compositions frequently follow a plain blues pattern. Musically, as is so often the case with Cohen, it remains relatively simple. The album impresses with its lyrics and Cohen’s haunting delivery. A worthy last statement.

I’ll default to four stars. It will take another few listens to establish this one.

Gorgeous and haunting words of one facing impending death. “You Want It Darker” stuns me every time I hear it. Other songs, particularly “Traveling Light” with its Jewish music influence and minor keys, also impress with the beautiful music and aching words on the cusp of death. It is ultimately a bit too spare to be a 5 for me, but it’s a high 4. Quite remarkable for a final achievement.

The cadence in the voice, the lyrics, sounds gloomy, the choruses, the riffs, the way in which the songs are composed. It was a very pleasant surprise, first I found in this album a sample that James Blake used in his last album.

just a fantastically moving record, and as frank and naked a final statement as anyone could aspire to. Cohen has always been renowned as a great lover of both God and women, and it's that quality, as ever, that makes this such a rich experience, the making personal his relationship with God and the rich, textured doubt/devotion towards a lover. the title track gets a lot of buzz, but to me, it's Treaty that's the highlight here - a song of great longing for peace, reconciliation, simplicity. to proclaim, after so many songs of struggle, lapsing faith, love gone sour, "I do not care who takes this bloody hill" - astounding. the other songs here reckon with loss and God and death with similar warmth and gravitas, but it's that one that leaves me tear up as i type out a review. but the whole thing is great, much like my newly-beloved Time Out Of Mind in its confidence and its vulnerability, and a wonderful record

The opening (title) track really floored me, I didn't know this was so late in his life and his voice just works so well with the music and the poetry. The rest of the album was a good listen too. When the algorithm gave me Famous Blue Raincoat straight after, the difference in his voice was quite something.

Гарний альбом, душевний. Можливо, це його контекст накладається, але яка різниця, власне.

Цей альбом я дуже люблю і він мені сподобався одразу як вийшов. Взагалі маю сентимент до музики, яку роблять отакі вже мудрі люди на фіналі свого життя, щось в цьому є світле, не зважаючи на звісно загально сумний настрій. Один з улюблених альбомів Коена загалом.

3.78

I didn't know I wanted it, but I need it darker.

listened to again that voice is incredible

beautiful butsome of the songs don't have a whole lot of variety.

What a beautiful album. Other than his first album, I never listened to Cohen much. This is a ballsy statement by Cohen. It's just amazing how he waxes so honestly and eloquently about his impending demise. Expecting and accepting with such grace and courage. What a guy!

wow, that was a pretty deep album. nothing really stood out to me but thats just cause this isnt my type of music. as a one off this was a really beautiful album and the fact that it was released 17 days before cohen's passing makes it even more moving

Que voz!!

iets te folk voor mijn smaak soms, maar er staan echt een paar van zn beste nummers op (vooral het titelnummer & Leaving The Table). zn vocals zijn hier echt op hun best. ik ben & blijf van meneer Cohen

Magical, almost religious - 4/5

Leonard's last album. Although I listened to it extensively when it came out, I never bought it. Worthy finale to an incredible opus.

There’s something enchanting about Cohen’s late career growl, and whilst the synth-heavy albums of the 80s and 90s are easy to date, the sparse backing here is timeless. The opener threatens a menacing half hour, but the following tracks retain a surprising lightness, even if Cohen was by this point contemplating his final days on Earth.

Better than Coldplay

I like this Leonard Cohen album way more than the last one I got of his! I'm not sure what it is that I enjoy about this album that I didn't of his last, but this one hit for me. High 4/5 for this one!

Stunning

Good. Not great.

Indeed dark. Pretty emotional. Could be a go-to if I need to just wander around listening to something.

It's too sombre for me to listen to that frequently, but it is beautiful in its own way and he has a voice like an idling diesel.

I didn't expect to enjoy this too much but once I recognized the intro song that sampled in James Blake's new album Trying Times (My 2026 AOTY so far) I knew it was going to be great. Something about the way he has accepted his mortality but still holds on to some of the silly mistakes from his 82 years of life. This album releasing 17 days before his death really adds a weight to this album that I didn't expect. Favorite Songs: You Want It Darker, Traveling Light

This kind of shook me today, it was haunting and beautiful. The story behind the album and lyrics really captured me. I think Treaty was my favourite song.

Conveys a really nice atmosphere, one that I would have trouble describing as I pretty much never heard it in music. The closest I've known to this is Cigarettes After Sex, and that's a pretty big stretch.

Damn. Actually pretty freaking cool. Confused me a bit at first, but the context is really important with this one. A master songwriter, basically on death's door, singing (croaking) about his perplexing and troubled relationship with God. Musically very pretty, and thematically incredible. Fave tracks: - You Want It Darker - Leaving the Table - Traveling Light - It Seemed the Better Way - String Reprise / Treaty

I surprisingly enjoyed this album. One of those albums that I can appreciate as a work of art, but will certainly never listen to again. My usual problem with Leonard Cohen is his use of drawn out vocals with no real melody. This album was more melodic and modern sounding to me. I like how tight the themes are, and the way he elaborates on or twists the meaning of certain phrases across songs.

It's like Tom Waits on codeine.

If I had a nickel for every transformative final work about mortality with motifs of darkness released by an artist before their deaths in 2016, I'd have two nickels

Something about the way Leonard Cohen approaches Folk music is really entrancing! Having only heard Songs From A Room beforehand, I wasn't quite prepared for the drastic change in his voice. It unintentionally became the defining factor of the album for me, really highlighting the passage of time and accentuating the themes he's touching on. Gorgeous arrangements as well. May the man rest in peace. Standouts: You Want It Darker • Treaty • On the Level • Traveling Light • It Seemed the Better Way

Excellent final album composed by Leonard Cohen. Pretty explicitly about his impending death. I've never been much of a fan of Cohen's raspy vocals, but they work incredibly well here and add some gravitas to an album that even has touches of humor here and there. Excellent closing with String Reprise, puts a nice bow on the full thing. Also, glad to see others have made the Blackstar link.

Heerlijk!

This is Leonard Cohen’s American IV - a dark, introspective, raw and emotional final message to the world. It’s not quite up there with Johnny Cash’s album, but it’s good.

it's 3.75, but i like too much LC

No I don't. 4/5

4.2

Really good shit. Kinda corny instrumentation. The first song is the best.

I don't know how it can get darker! This atmospheric, moody album drips with rich, haunting melodies and Cohen's deep bass. Top tracks: "You Want It Darker," "Treaty," "If I Didn't Have Your Love"

-Oh, it’s a vibe, baby -Probably not everyone’s cuppa, but his voice demands your attention and almost forces you to internalize his lyrics -He knows how to use backup singers -rough, scratchy elegance -Nice but maybe too nice -A haunting Gypsy dirge. Good stuff -Some albums take a vibe and strangle it into place. LC is maintaining the feeling while also finding surprises without resorting to flashy tempo changes or altering his voice too much. It’s wild -love the strings here -String outro

You want it darker ein schöner Banger, ansonsten auch gut anzuhören.

Starkes Album, Starke Stimme. Der Titel Track ist crazy 5/5 Hab zufällig gerade das Stephen King Buch gelesen, was den gleichen Titel trägt

Ik snap niet zo goed waarom de laatste plaat van artiesten als Bowie en Cohen nu ineens in een lijstje als dit zouden moeten staan. Als je fan bent (geweest) van de artiest, dan zou ik dit soort platen zeker aanraden. Maar het is niet zo dat ze hiermee ineens een nieuwe schare fans aanboren of dat ze met deze albums een absoluut meesterwerk hebben afgeleverd. Ze zijn namelijk bekend geworden in een totaal ander decennium, dit is slechts een laatste kunstje. Begrijp me niet verkeerd, het zijn absoluut geen slechte albums, en ook dit niet. Maar het hoort gewoon niet in een 1001-lijst. Enige uitzondering die ik zou kunnen bedenken is Johnny Cash, die met zijn American cover-albums echt een nieuwe schare fans heeft bereikt en een absoluut meesterwerk heeft afgeleverd. Kijk, dat hoort er in. Dat alles gezegd hebbende, vind ik het wel een lekker album. Dus ga ik het ondanks dat ik vind dat het niet in de 1001-lijst hoort, denk ik toch 4 sterren geven.

Det er Leonard Cohen.

The other big 20-6 'I'm dying soon' record. The title track is really special. The rest is good but not as monumental. Very good on the whole.

No one writes better lyrics than Bob Dylan but Leonard Cohen along with Elvis Costello come the closes to the master. You Want it Darker is one of the best 'last albums' ever released up there with David Bowie's Blackstar, Joy Division's Closer and The Beatle's Abby Road. It's a powerful final statement. It's beautiful. It brings forth the tears. I hate crying even a little, so this isn't an album that I play a great deal, but when I want it darker, I take comfort in knowing it's there for me like the wisest of old friends that says things that you don't always want to hear.

Bom disco!

Surprisingly powerful. 4/5

This was relaxing to listen to as I was winding down for the night! Rating: 3.5/5 Album# 167

This is a hauntingly beautiful album. Great arrangements and lyrics, played and sung achingly. I think he purposely makes it ambiguous if he’s talking about god or a lover. “If I didn’t have your love” is a great example of that and my personal favorite.

3 weeks before he died and a nearly flawless album. I’ll await the 5 stars for my favorite cohen album but this was beautiful

Day 212 Beautiful album, absolutely lovely in places. Highlights You Want in Darker Treaty It seemed the better way

I’d only listened to Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’ before this album and so his deep, booming voice in this album really took me by surprise. At first it made me hesitant, but actually, as the album progressed and I settled into it, I found that his voice really helped to emphasise his introspective lyricism. Some really compelling, thought-provoking songs on here, which I can’t see myself reaching for repeatedly, but perhaps just once in a while listening to the album as a whole. Rating: 4.

Very beautiful record, but I rarely listen to it from start to finish. Not because it's bad, it really isn't, but because it's often too much.

249/1001 Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ I've always had a bit of an on/off relationship with Leonard Cohen, when it comes to hearing his singles, as I've never been convinced enough to sit and listen to a whole album. I think this may have changed that trend. I think his gravelly, almost spoken word delivery gels so well with the instrumentation on this. Obviously need a deeper dive at some point for the lyrics, but this could become an all timer for me.

alo ovo je prejako bilo, isk ne znam ko je lik ali sam video da je umro kao 2 nedelje nakon ovog albuma i otp je znao da ce da umre i album je bas nekako mracan, tezak, on ima predobar glas i kao da prica i peva u isto vreme, bas kul

Ufff that voice, que hot. Es raro, siento que su voz no pega para algunas canciones, pero es imposible que no te atrape e inclusive hace que suene mejor. Es justamente esa extrañeza de oir una voz tan adulta abriéndose de esa forma ante Dios lo que lo hace tan particular. Ya finalizando el álbum puedo decir que me gustó bastante. No me esperaba para nada que me gustara, pero me sorprendió para bien. La verdad es que volvería a escucharlo, ya que lo disfrute mucho. Amo las religion psychosis.

I had zero expectations going into this one since I didn't really care for Songs of Leonard Cohen, so I found myself pleasantly surprised with You Want It Darker! Everything about it is just executed so well – Cohen really went out with a bang here. I'm hesitant to give it five stars, but a high four is absolutely warranted. If I ever happen across a CD copy at a record store, that's going to be an EASY purchase. Highlights: You Want It Darker, Treaty, On the Level, If I Didn’t Have Your Love, Traveling Light, Steer Your Way, String Reprise / Treaty

Don't like that kind of production. But the voice and the vibe... Yeah, I want it darker!

Having listened to one of Leonard Cohen's albums already, I wasn't super stoked when this popped up today. But man, I really liked it. Definitely giving Tom Waits vibes, and I love Tom Waits. His sound definitely changed from that last album I listened to, to this

8/10 Monótono, pero bueno. Canción destacada: On the level

simple and beautiful standout: you want it darker and Travelling Light

Didn’t think I would like but ended up enjoying it. Steer your way is a great song

masterpiece

The whole album is dark and gloomy, perfect for a rainy day.

Simply wonderful. So seemingly simple and beautiful. Wish I had and do listen more.

Lenny coco forever

No, no, not that dark!

Wow. I was not a fan of LC's earlier work, reading poetry over music, but this took me by surprise. Haunting, depressing, a voice like gravel - but it drew me in.

AUCH

Terrified tomorrow is going to pop up Blackstar and I'm in for the double. This is a really beautiful. Treaty especially.

Treaty On the Level Traveling Light It Seemed the Better Way

Visceralmente emocional. Siempre me gustó la poesía de Cohen y, si bien conecto más cuando tiende a ser algo más grandilocuente, valoro mucho el minimalismo que presenta en este proyecto. Creo que construye una gran atmósfera que, sumado a sus líricas y al contexto del albúm, termina siendo desgarradora.

Leonard Cohen is sometimes too much Leonard Cohen, but he is still Leonard Cohen after all.

excellent

Good career sign off

Bittersweet thinking about him recording his last album in his living room but what a great album to go out on

Woah this was darker.

My first thoughts: How many cigarettes has he smoked for his voice to sound like that? This is a brooding, dark, almost nocturnal album. Haunting in its very stripped down nature. Poetic in its sparseness and the literal reading of the lyrics over the music. Thought I'd hate it, really enjoyed it

Det e jo ikke overraskanes at musikken til Cohen tendere mot det religiøse, men det va en fin overraskelse likevel da æ satte på albumet en søndag etter gudstjeneste. For en stemme, for et mørke, for et dyp.

This one was tough. Stunningly intimate deathbed confessional production. But all I could really think about was how he logged off at the right time before getting a chance to really lean into his zionism. Four stars. Favorite track: Treaty. Free Palestine.

This is beautiful. I’m a fan of Leonard Cohen’s earlier work, but never got around to listening to this album until this project. His voice is weathered, but not unpleasant, and the instrumentals are melodic enough to carry the lyrical poetry of his struggles with God and impending death.

> the Beatles

This one surprised me, excellent album!

Liked it quite a bit more than I expected. Songwriting is great.

raw lyrics

Deep melancholy as would be expected. Not as strong as some of his earlier work, but the man is just a pleasure to listen to.

I do like Leonard Cohen. There's always a chill vibe to his music. Feels like a song playing near the end of a movie where some character's come to terms with the way their life is and they're just getting on with it. I like this.

Brilliant. The production is amazing, it's as though Leonard Cohen is whispering into your ear in a confined space. Probably a coffin. I have to confess this is another concept album I actually like. Reflections on a theme. I think you need to listen to the album on its entirety, no songs stood out especially for me.

first album i'm excited about upfront beautiful start i think it's gonna be a keeper for a longer time very moody worth revisiting record as a whole 4 out of 5

My dog Louie loves Leonard Cohen. "You Want It Darker" is his favourite song. Louie is a highly intelligent 9 year old golden retriever with a huge personality. We're convinced that he thinks he's a human. When we got a second dog Beau (his brother from a younger litter), it was like he thought we'd gotten him a pet dog. When Louie was younger, I was listening to this album one day as I worked in the kitchen of an old house that we were renting at the time. After the choir and bass intro, when Cohen's older, deep, gravelly voice came on, Louie stopped in his tracks. He dropped the stuffed animal he was meticulously dissecting, and slowly got to his feet. Eyes widened, he crept into the kitchen area, and stopped right at the speaker. His head tilted and cocked to one side, ears fully forward, he stood there mesmerised by the sound of Cohen's voice. There's a chance that it was because the vocals resembled a low growl, but really it was because Louie is a dog who has great taste. He also loves ambient electronica, and bands like Caribou or Four Tet. This was the moment he became a Leonard Cohen fan. To bring this album out just 17 days before Cohen's passing is up there with Bowie as a fitting way to say farewell. This album is slow, calm, reflective poetry, set to some of his best melodies. Dark, brooding, atmospheric hymns layered with organs, bluegrass instrumentation and choral textures. Leonard Cohen is one of the great modern poets, and this a perfect end to a well-deserved legacy left behind. These songs continue to have a lasting effect, both on people, and dogs who think they're people. 4.5 stars from myself and Louie.

You Want It Darker - 5/5 Treaty - 5/5 On the Level - 4/5 Leaving the Table - 5/5 If I Didn't Have Your Love - 3/5 Traveling Light - 5/5 It Seemed the Better Way - 4/5 Steer Your Way - 4/5 String Reprise / Treaty - 3/5 Average score: 4.2/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i don't think i knew what to expect going into this album, especially as someone who doesn't really listen to Leonard Cohen. regardless of the dark and somber nature, there's a lot of beauty within. some tracks like Leaving the Table feel like they could fit in a soundtrack for a western film i honestly think his vocal performance is just fine considering his age and physical condition at the time. gave me similar vibes to David Bowie's Blackstar; one last hurrah before making his exit. i can respect that

Scalp tingles. This was a fascinating listen - I loved the arc, I loved the instrumentation, I loved that it was so simple and how that added to the power.

It isn't my favorite Leonard Cohen, but has a place in my soul.

This is many things.

Cohen addressed most of the complaints I had with "Songs of Love and Hate". The tracks are shorter (not one over 5 minutes long where the aforementioned had 7 of 8). This album's music is also much more interesting, with beautiful strings accompanying many of the tracks. Cohen still talk sings, but I found it less annoying. Instead, when paired with the strings, it was somber and affective. And so it came as a surprise to me that I enjoyed it and would listen to it again.

Favorites: You Want It Darker, On the Level, If I Didn't Have Your Love, String Reprise/Treaty

Impossible not to listen to every single syllable.

Wikipedia says this came out 17 days before Leonard Cohen's death, but that can't be right, because I'm pretty sure he recorded these vocals AFTER he died

Leonard Cohen's last album is a dark, cold, slow, subtle and emotional experience, and a great way to end his discography. What surprised me the most about this record is how raspy and deep his voice is. I'm not aware if in his previous albums he already had such a worn-out voice, since the last project I heard from him was "I'm Your Man" and it is from 1988, but I think it is a detail that contributes a lot to the feeling of weariness portrayed, not only through the sound, but also through the lyrics. To give an example, in the song "Treaty" he sings: "I'm angry and I'm tired all the time". In addition to the voice, the folk instrumentation makes an incredibly accompaniment to the voice. The instruments and choirs are incredibly quite and create some very moody and sad atmospheres. There are also some times that they stole the show, like in the wonderful strings in the songs "Steer Your Way" and "String Reprise / Treaty". I personally need to mention that I liked a lot more when the songs focused more in the a folk sound. Pieces like "Treaty" and "On the Level" feel to me that approach his sophist-pop side and I didn't like as much, while "Leaving the Table" or "Steer Your Way" I think approaches more his traditional folk sound that I really resonate with. With that being said, I think the song I liked the most is "It Seemed the Better Way" as I do believe is the darkest one. In conclusion, a great experience. It might be an experience that requires a very specific mood to get all of its value, but I still appreciate a lot how obscure it is.

Beautiful, introspective in its lyrics. You know that you are listening to the last words of a dying man as he is reconciling with death and God

haunting

Okay, this is waaaay different than the first Leonard Cohen album I listened to (Songs of Leonard Cohen), and by different, I mean much, much better.

This is dope!

Pretty cozy despite being spoken word.

Great Songs: You Want It Darker, On the Level Good Songs: Treaty, Leaving The Table, It Seemed The Better Way, Steer Your Way, String Reprise / Treaty Mid Songs: If I Didn't Have Your Love, Travelling Light Bad Songs:

4/5. Being his final album, You Want it Darker sees Leonard Cohen grappling with faith and his own mortality. The instrumentals set a nice dark atmosphere but what really sells this album is Cohens voice. The deep, old and world-weary sounding voice that he had in his later years fits this album perfectly and elevates it a lot.

Mostly spoken word over a pretty good musical bed. But man he makes it work

Very surprised by this one. Was not expecting him to sound this good at that age and especially right before dying...

não tava dando nada por esse álbum, mas ele entregou tudo. incrível como a voz do leonard cohen é capaz de deixar qualquer coisa mais interessante (sem querer diminuir os arranjos, que também são incríveis)

I liked this more than I thought I would. It starts out like the soundtrack to a duel and stays that way. Not running music.

- I hope that I, too, am creating music or some form of art that is important to me up to just days before my death like Mr. Cohen did with this album - I have a feeling this isn't the only Leonard Cohen album on this list (I would be incredibly surprised if so), but the fact that his final musical effort made it here as something to definitely listen to feels significant. I think western society tends to write off elderly adults as being unable to contribute much of anything and may even consider them a burden to the living (to be frank, the impression I used to have is that you enter this world blubbering and in diapers and leave it the same way), but if you're lucky enough to still have your mental faculties, there's probably a lot we can learn from someone who has lived as full of a life as Cohen -- especially in the form of artistic expression - poetic, haunting, and memorable, just like the rest of what I know from his body of work

Oh boy, another "Late Era Masterpiece from a Legacy Artist" that seemingly every artist with a career that lasted over 30 years has on this list! Yeah, there are definitely a notable amount of these on the list, aren't there? But you know what? This is one of the better ones. I don't know why I'm acting like these kinds of albums are bad. Most of them have actually been pretty good, and You Want It Darker is among them. This is, for lack of better phrasing, Leonard Cohen's Blackstar. I mean, the two albums were literally released in the same year! Of course, that begs the question of which album I prefer, and I'd have to give that one to Blackstar. That album has a serious argument to be made for being Bowie's best album. You Want It Darker? It's great, don't get me wrong. I can easily see this being called one of Leonard Cohen's best albums, but his absolute best? I don't know. I prefer the style of the "Songs..." trilogy that started his musical career. I have a ton of respect for this album though. Musically speaking, it's very different. Those earlier albums were pretty sparse instrumentally. You had an acoustic guitar, a backing string section, and that was mostly it, barring a few exceptions. This thing definitely has more of a focus on the production, which is interesting to hear. I guess there had been quite a bit more experimentation in the decades between those albums and this one here than I thought. I think the earlier style works better with Leonard's writing and vocals, but I respect the effort to do something different here. Speaking of writing and vocals, let's talk about them now! The vocals honestly could've aged better, but they could've aged worse too! You've got to remember that Leonard was like 80 when he recorded this album, so yeah his voice as aged quite a bit. It's definitely more gruff and less melodic than on earlier albums, but it is a natural age and I think it was for the best to not edit the vocals like crazy or anything, especially given the songwriting, which is just as great as ever. As is the case with past albums of his, it's Leonard Cohen's songwriting that serves as the most striking thing about You Want It Darker. Of course, many of the LC staples are still here, namely the religious allegories and generally poetic feel. However, and you probably knew this already, death was seemingly on Mr. Cohen's mind when he was making the album, and it seems that he was right to think about it as he died just 17 days after the release of this album. Those Blackstar comparisons aren't there for nothing. This is especially evident on the album's opening songs, "You Want It Darker" and "Treaty." It really makes the lyrics hit harder knowing the context. It definitely makes this among the more notable albums in his discography, making it a natural contender for being a must-listen. As for my opinion, I do love this album quite a bit. However, from a musical perspective, I think this may be my personal least favorite of his I've heard thus far. Still great, still beautiful, still Leonard, but he's made better. Solid 4/5.

I had something written up but this website doesn't save drafts very well and I don't feel like typing up everything I've typed all over again, I'll just say that it's a great last album from an iconic singer songwriter who knows he's at death's door.

Not my favorite Leonard cohen album but I like it

There's something about old people talk-singing their way through meditations on love, religion, and mortality that gets me man.

Starting with Cohen's swan song probably isn't the best introduction to him (other than already hearing Hallelujah), but here it goes. Before: This will be terrible, won't it? After: Huh. I liked that, and I have no idea why. Everything I know about my musical taste says I should hate this album. Poetry isn't my thing, and this is basically a poetry reading with background music. I hate the speak-sing thing when Tom Waits does it, but it works here. A couple of possibilities: Cohen is an excellent writer. His deep gravelly voice works well with both the subject matter and the music. I suspect I won't like his other albums as much, but this one is good.

Sounds almost eerie in a way. The piano and strings in many of the songs were very beautiful. This was very nice. Favorite song: Treaty

Leonard Cohen has always been "drinking alone in a smokey bar" kind of music and this is no different. Very niche, but I enjoyed it.

A great final album that I will always associate with Bowie's Blackstar since they both came out around the same time and are both really good final chapters to two amazing music careers.

Moody and brooding. I would expect nothing less from the great Leonard Cohen on his death bed.

Top album. You want it darker is all time fave. 4,5/5

Buena colección de temas de Leonard Cohen sobre la muerte, la vida, la religión y etc. Momentos bonitos, momentos curiosos por escucharle sobre instrumentales más modernitas y tal, y sorprendentemente me resultó menos triste de lo que me esperaba, puede que por lo metafórico de su manera de tratar su propia mortalidad, que o no me llega del todo o me irá llegando en escuchas sucesivas, o puede ser porque lo vea demasiado irreal por ser quien es o demasiado poeta duro como para conectar con él en lo humano y vulnerable. Ayer justo me tocó un disco de Johnny Cash, y hay algo bonito en ese macho duro como la roca que en sus últimos momentos se vuelve frágil y vulnerable, y notas ese miedo en su voz, y conectas con esa forma en la que ninguno de nosotros está preparado para afrontar la muerte. Leonard Cohen parece refugiarse más vez en una actitud mística, de druida, de saber lo que va a ocurrir porque conoce la profecía o algo, y también está bonito, pero no conecto tanto. A lo mejor es cosa mía que presté poca atención por momentos. Buen disco.

Exceptional lyrics

High 3? Surprisingly modern sounds and some beautiful moments but a lot of the tracks feel similar to me, especially in the middle

Listened in the car while running errands. A heartbreakingly beautiful record. Didn't realize the timing of his death until about halfway through and it completely recontextualized the record for me. It was on the short side which left me wanting more.

A poet with music as his backdrop, one unafraid of the big themes: spirituality, meaning, death, and hope.

This was new to me. Great album, loved the title track especially. Will listen again

New to me- loved this.

Feels very dark yet beautiful

Synkkää, mutta kaunista. Eka biisi paras, muuten aika samaa kaavaa.

I've not heard this before. I wouldn't say I think it's his best work but it is good. Lots of the 5-star reviewers have articulated it better than I could.

If I'd had this during dramatic college breakups this would have been on repeat.

Ein düsteres, poetisches Album über Tod, Glaube und Abschied. Mit tiefer Stimme, minimalistischer Instrumentierung und spiritueller Klarheit zieht Cohen Bilanz. Der Titelsong mit dem hebräischen „Hineni“ wirkt wie ein letzter Dialog mit Gott. Ein stilles, kraftvolles Spätwerk.

Beautifully macabre.

Dark, brooding reflection on life from his deathbed. What a farewell album.

Such a poignant reflection of life and death

Just cool. Effortlessly cool. Bit of a slow burn at times, especially in the middle, and requires a lyrical deep dive to fully comprehend, but yeah overall just very cool. 7.5 / 10 Best track/s: On The Level, You Want It Darker

(Reading the news in January 2026) NO, I DO NOT WANT IT DARKER! (An hour later after listening to this twice) WELL, IT TURNS OUT I DID WANT IT DARKER!

Tää Cohen on kyllä jännä tyyppi. Kun avaa suunsa niin se vaan kuulostaa heti hyvältä. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Interesting perspective on life, death, and religion. Beautifully sentimental.

That was really damn good. Great voice here too

Haunting. Amazing!

This was definitely a cool album, and had some interesting perspectives. I enjoyed the dark voice of Cohen combined with an overall chill tone.

This is really good, and not at all the kind of stuff I'd usually listen to. The entire album is an experience, I listened to it twice through and enjoyed it just as much second time around. The vocals are crisp, the tension in some of the songs is unnerving but brilliant and the lyrics are fantastic. Colour me impressed.

Sultry and beautiful. This man’s words will never cease to move and amaze

The sound of a man accepting his impending death and loss of faith. Not exactly "uplifting" but scores highly in truthfulness

I didn't expect to like this album. But here we are. His delivery, the poetic nature of the lyrics, and his penchant for mystical/religious symbolism all added a mythical element to the music for me. The instrumentation was usually simple and didn't evolve much throughout the songs, but the cadence and statements/nature of the lyrics still made me often feel like there was rising tension to successive verses. Also I'm a sucker for gravelly voices.

Unfamiliar/ first listen. At the start I was not terribly impressed, then a few songs in something clicked and this seemed very familiar. I realized a lot of what I like about Jarvis Cocker, and Mark Lanegan can be traced back to Leonard. Leonard’s voice is the instrument here and it’s front and center so you can take it all in. Minimal accompaniment quietly playing along, but that’s not what we’re here for. You paid for the Leonard Show and you’re gonna get the Leonard show. 4 stars.

Have to respect this - a great American poet and songwriter. Never loved his voice, but hard to be critical of a dying man.

Different. I feel like smoking a cigarette while sipping on some whiskey.

Crudo y honesto Se nota lo agotado, se nota lo que pesan los años Un álbum muy real RIP

Muy fuera de lo que escucho normalmente, ideal para escuchar mientras trabajas o lees

This reminded me so much of an Italian artist I shared space with in Krakow in 2019. He wore a blue jumpsuit and sculpted all day listening to Leonard Cohen.

absolutely love Leonard Cohen's voice. So deep and profound. And the instrumentals on some of the songs, glorious !

I'm not religious, yet I sense the power of a man in his last few days saying goodbye to this world and talking to his god. Such a unique experience

I actually have listened this album before. I like the If I didn't have your love

Moody. I've always loved his storytelling. Good stuff.

What a legend

My only gripe with the record is the title track hits hard, then it's a slower record after that. Still a great penultimate record for the legendary Leonard Cohen.

Mr. Cohen's voice is shot. He never had a conventional good voice to begin with but he wasn't about the voice. It was about the music & the songwriting. His broken voice was almost growling in the title track. This reminded me alot of Johnny Cash. He clearly was on his last legs & the songwriting reflects that. Making peace with his maker, even questioning it at times. Love lost & pain. There was lots of somber secular soundscapes & even a country sounding song. 4

This is a beautiful and haunting farewell album. Cohenbis such a goat.

Ouvi este álbum quando lançou em 2016, mas nunca revisitei. Tenho familiaridade com o Cohen há muitos anos mas nunca fiz um deep dive real. Minha experiência hoje com esse álbum foi bastante boa. Title song e treaty começam o álbum lindamente. Sim, é mostly um recital de poesia com música de fundo, mas there's nothing wrong with that. It's good poetry.

Cohen's final words before his passing. Brilliant.

I'm not familiar with Leonard Cohen beyond Hallelujah. I thought this was really good and listened more than once. I suspect I might enjoy other Leonard Cohen albums too.

I was really hard on another Cohen album. I hated the production more than anything. This is how to frame Leonard Cohen songs. Sombre, haunting and matches the patina on his voice.

Album 1004 of 1089 You Want It Darker - Leonard Cohen (2016) Rating : 4 / 5 This is one of those cases where starting the day in a darker tone actually feels right. I’ve always enjoyed Leonard Cohen, and this album certainly doesn’t disappoint. He takes the dreary, the heavy, and the reflective, and somehow makes it not only listenable, but comforting. His voice is worn and weathered here, and that only adds to the weight of what he’s saying. The lyrics are captivating in that unmistakable Cohen way- simple on the surface, but layered with meaning if you choose to sit with them. The music never tries to outshine the words; it stays right where it needs to be, always serving the mood and the message. This album feels like a quiet conversation rather than a performance. Nothing flashy, nothing forced - just thoughtful writing, measured delivery, and an atmosphere that pulls you in rather than pushing itself on you. It’s not an album you put on for background noise, but it also doesn’t demand effort. It simply exists, and does so very well. This is one of those paths off the beaten path that’s always a good choice to take. Dark, yes - but purposeful, honest, and deeply human.

Favourite song: you want it darker

*2016. *Only 36 minutes long. *Starts off strong with a cool baseline, but then Leonard comes in with a super low, weird baritone... *Started to grow on me... kind of a cool vibe - really pretty, sorrowful music with moody, Halloween-y vocals. *This is super different and I'll be revisiting. RATING - 7.5/10

More dark please sir. His gravelly voice is perfect for the reflective end of life musings. The backing is perhaps a little bit ripe at times but generally hits the sentimentality sweet spot. A high 4.

You could argue somewhat self-indulgent, but who can blame him and its hauntingly beautiful. Not sure how often this is something you chose to listen to, but well done Leonard, a good send off.

Good album and enjoyable listen but not the kind you listen to a second time for a decent while

Choose your fighter: a) haunting b) beautiful c) hauntingly beautiful d) beautifully haunting —— The answer is e) all the above, and I think this album will stay with me for a while. It’s also the perfect accompaniment to the book I’m reading currently, so in a weird way I’m glad I didn’t listen to this when it was first generated.

This album was lovely. It made me feel all kinds of things. Tapped into some feelings and left me melancholy. I love when music is able to do that. His raspy voice and the lyrics conveyed so much hurt and made me feel a little sad for him. I didn’t anticipate liking it so much, because I don’t really care for later Leonard Cohen stuff, but this album really kept me locked in. And side note, the current most popular review for this album was so incredibly thoughtful. Probably one of the best reviews I’ve read on here.

# Album Name: You Want It Darker # Artist: Leonard Cohen # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Nice chilled vibes. Dark and eery. A much better tom waits. No track stood out but this worked well as a whole album. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? Yes

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Love all Cohen. 4*

A wonderful send off to a master lyricist. Lots of nostalgia for this one, all the family used to listen to it. You Want It Darker, On the Level, If I Didn't Have your Love, Traveling Light, It Seemed the Better Way were highlights. RIP Mr Cohen!

Dark as hell and of course he’s a hard listen but MY word he can write a song!

must be said that until today i had never heard a leonard cohen record from after 1971, so i completely skipped over whatever transitional period would have made me Not immediately shocked upon hearing his voice here. whats even more impactful tho is the bluntness of the lyrics...the layers of obfuscation and sensory description that made up the mystique of his first few records have been stripped back for what i wouldn't be surprised are the most Urgent words the man wrote, placed in hyper-focus from his living room recording setup. its stark and austere and all that but still at turns vulnerable and kind of funny in a dark way...a Mortality Record thats not about flying up to heaven but about returning to the earth, i'd say. really spellbinding, the perfect length, and emotionally well-paced too...even on his deathbed there's still these beautiful odes to the transformative power of love to heal and hurt and keep you receptive to Life as a whole. i should get a whole cohen education!