You Want It Darker

bijna asmr joh dit vind ik niet fijn ieeek

It's like Tom Waits on codeine.

This was incredible. The minimal music and the way his delivery plays with it is excellent. And the lyrics are very thought provoking.

great album just not something i’d listen to often

Much better than expected. The talking voice actually works here unlike his earlier albums.

He definitely sounds like he was 82 when this was recorded. But I really like the arrangements and songs. More than some of his older albums. Am I crazy for kind of liking his voice on this? Especially on the opening track. Stockholm syndrome probably.

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

I’m sorry

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

Holy fuck, the word masterpiece is overused but this certainly is one. "Celebrated musician addressing God shortly before his death" is apparently my favorite microgenre. This blew my mind. I love Leonhard Cohen but this is so peak. I was tearing up on the last track. Capping off a lifetime of accomplishment with this is insane.

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.

Una mierda. No me como la curva de los que dicen que es muy poético y las letras son buenísimas y esas boludeces. Hay mil artistas que hicieron canciones con unas letras de las san puta y al mismo tiempo disfrutables de escuchar. En cambio esto es una verga inescuchable.

Heerlijk!

First off, love his voice. Never heard anything by Leonard Cohen before so it surprised me in a very pleasant way. And I enjoyed the themes of the album, especially as someone who used to believe in god. For me, the problem is that I feel misled? Catfished? The album is titled "You Want It Darker" and the first track is so dark and heavy and moody, especially melody-wise. I got really excited and foolishly thought that the rest is going to sound like that. But it didn't. No other track comes close to match the sound of the title track and I was so disappointed. Looking at the subject matter and the lyrics of the other songs, it makes sense, but it just felt like whiplash? Lowkey soured the whole experience for me, so I didn't get much from this album.

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.

I know fuck all about Leonard Cohen outside of the admittedly very good albums that I've listened to by him on this 1001 journey; but that being said you don't need to know a thing about Leonard Cohen to tell that this is a 'goodbye' album. It certainly lived up to its name, fuck this was a dark listen. What an incredible way to end a career, it reminded me significantly of American IV by Johnny Cash, which was (at least from my understanding) another 'goodbye' album. This thing was fucking incredible. It was so interesting to note the deep vocals as compared to his early career hits, I'm specifically thinking of how high-pitched he is in 'So Long, Marianne'. Easy 5.

Even barring the fact that basically singing your own eulogy is incredible as an album concept, Cohen's poetry and vocals make this an incredible album. Highlights: You Want It Darker, Leaving the Table

So good. Such a unique voice and writing

This album is amazing considering it was made by a 82-year old on his deathbed

Holy what a voice. Shook me to my core the second I heard him sing. Very poignant sound to the whole album. The instrumentation is quite minimal which compliments the robust voice of Cohen. Created a great, moody atmosphere. However, I didn't get much enjoyment out of it. Not an album I would listen to over and over again or have songs get stuck in my head from. Favourite tracks: You Want It Darker 2/5

Folk rock.

No. 145 Excellent, loved the gravelly voice, Steer your way was my favorite song

it's 3.75, but i like too much LC

It's OK. A lot of gravelly singing.

No I don't. 4/5

4.2

I love his passion, but I wish he had not harmed his vocal chords with cigarette smoke. ★★★

Not a bad album, but definitely not my thing.

Why

Ik moet bij het eerste nummer al een stevige drang om m'n keel te schrapen onderdrukken vanwege de kikker die Leo in z'n keel heeft, maar hij zet wel een lekker sfeertje neer zeg. Orgeltje, gospel-achtig koortje, een zanger die lomp maar realistisch gezegd op-sterven-na-dood is, strijkertje. Het is zeer Nick Cavesque en het is een beetje Johnny Cashque (het American IV album dan). Ik weet niet of het weer vooral m'n fascinatie voor tragiek is die opspeelt, maar ik vind dit wel een gedenkwaardig album. Ik krijg zin om in een grote stoel te gaan zitten en hier naar te luisteren zonder verder alteveel afleiding. Het liefst buiten net na zonsondergang, terwijl het nog een graadje of 24 is. Dit vind ik nou een fraaie toevoeging aan deze lijst. Ik ga 5 sterren geven.

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

Ein verrauchtes Zimmer in Hamburg, Flo schon der Magen knurrt, Thomas und Malte am zocken, Hauke backt Brötchen, Roggen, David liegt weiter eingelegt, nur die Morgenlatte sich regt, les diesen Text in seiner Stimme, so tief, wie Thomas' Kimme

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

Leuk om even bij de credits te spieken, aardig wat nummers zijn het resultaat van een samenwerking tussen vader en zoon Cohen. Hoe dan ook, we horen hier op zijn laatste plaat de latere Leonard, met zijn gruizige, zingzeggende bromstem en de rijke, gepolijste arrangementen. Nogal een contrast met zijn eerste platen! Maar dat is dus muzikale ontwikkeling, van begin tot het eind op 82-jarige leeftijd. Ook deze keer is het weer een aangename luisterervaring, tot op het laatste moment leverde de man kwaliteit. Mooi opzwepend titelnummer ook, met dat koor. Een passend slotakkoord, kortom.

Dit genre is nogal oververtegenwoordigd. En dan kan een in het genre weinig vernieuwend album uit 2016 wat mij betreft wel wegblijven. Dat zing-praten, het is gewoon naar om aan te horen.

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.

The whole album is a profound love letter to the beauty of life and the acceptance of journeys end. It can be hard going to do a full playthrough, but the completely & unexpectedly stunning lyrics cannot be ignored.

I have Songs Of Love & Hate on vinyl but I don't know any Cohen besides that, although I have seen him live at Glastonbury. What a surprise this was though, his pained and broken voice sits brilliantly with the beautifully orchestrated music. At times it reminded me of both Tom Waits and Lanegan era Soulsavers with that juxtaposition. It grabbed me from the first song and, fearing a drop off, I was happy that I remained captivated throughout I was so close to giving this a five and it may well end up there because it's purchase material for sure! You want it darker.... yes I definitely do! EDIT: fuck it... changed it to a 5

Det er Leonard Cohen.

So odd. Much more bible based than expected.

He started out very similar to Dylan but he evolved much beyond that. I feel like a wise old sage is whispering wisdom into my ear when I listen to him.

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.

Another id not heard. Quite enjoyed listening to it

Espectacular. Oscuro, melancólico, nostálgico, tiene todo. Un álbum que cada letra emociona de sólo pensar por la que estaba pasando Cohen. 9/10, y si me agarrás en un buen día, 10/10

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.

I get it, its just not for me. I'm probably not cool enough.

I wasn't sure about the juxtaposition between the orchestral sounds and his gravelly voice when the album started, but I was won over by the end. The introspective lyrics worked well, and I'm a sucker for a string instrument.

Feels like smoking your last cig with death in the room

Bom disco!

Full disclosure I did not listen to the entire album. Also full disclosure, I recognize that Leonard Cohen is talented and I appreciate that his style is “different” than much of the mainstream music available today. That said, my God, what frame of mine do you have to be to appreciate an album like this? I’m picturing someone sitting upright at a table in an uncomfortable chair with one bright white light hanging above, the rest of the room dark, wearing a black leather jacket, staring at an ashtray full of smoked cigs, a gun, and a shot of whiskey.

No thank you

not my thing but not horrible. think i would've enjoyed some of the songs better with a different vocalist

I feel like I initially wrote this off since he sounds like a smoker, but it was actually a good album. I kinda liked it?

Surprisingly powerful. 4/5

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

Swan song from quite the artist. I've always thought of Cohen as more of a poet than a singer. This album is no different. Dark tones and subtle humor as he reflects on his final days.

I really enjoyed his voice. This isn't some high tempo, jokey album about death, but somber and almost comforting. Reading up on the album that this was his last album before he passed, it hits different. Oddly enough, helped my own depression. His voice is healing in a way and I appreciate everything about this album. I will say this though: was a bit scared at the beginning of the album. I just didn't know what was waiting for me on the other side.

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.

This was atmospheric & a good background soundtrack to work time

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.

Pretty intense album. Gravely voice but works perfectly for this kind of sad, slow music.

It being recorded so close to his death adds an interesting perspective to this. His voice is a beautiful growl. Melancholy. Mellow rock.

Not quite my tempo

Tough rate. On the surface this is a 2, but understanding the circumstances behind this album...makes me want to bump it up to a 3. I hate talk singing, but Cohen gets the pass this time. 3 it is.

The lyrics were fine, his voice was just too grating.

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.

Cohen is such a strong songwriter and hearing him here, where his voice is so weathered and sad sounding, really fits his whole songwriting. Like, of course! Of course this is the guy who wrote "Hallelujah"! and he's in his bag here too. Listenable all the way through. I definitely understand if someone doesn't like the way his voice feels like a blue note against the other background singers here though. One hell of a swan song to go out on, rest in peace Leonard.

I did not enjoy that at all.

A dark, spoken-word album released 17 days before Cohen died that talks about death and love that was lost. Prophetic and strange at the same time. Not something that is going to make my normal listening cycle, but I’m glad to have listened to this once.

Nothing says Monday morning quite like the Leonard Cohen death album - thanks randomizer! Listen, Lenny can write a brutally beautiful song but he can’t sing one anymore. Perhaps there’s an intended poignancy in Cohen’s inability to harmonize his lyrics, and he has earned the right to do this however he chooses, but his lack of tunefulness, along with the underdone orchestrations, only add to the barrenness of the album. Normally, I would trumpet this choice as genius metaphor in structural craftsmanship, but here, it feels like last rites more than artistic choice. Like Neil said, “It’s better to burn out than it is to rust.”

Well, this is certainly something different. We are invited into a dying man's home as he approaches his final day. Heavy topic, solemn tone, deliberate words. Leonard Cohen doesn't try move you in any direction, he simply shares his final thoughts. There are times when music evokes more than it entertains. This is an example of that. Very moving album.

Dette er et verdig farvel, men det føles ikke ut som Cohen gjør noe han ikke allerede har gjort tidligere? I kontrast virker Blackstar mer som en siste statement. Gir Tom Waits konkurranse i utrøyka whisky-stemme, da.

Tittelen på albumet kunne like gjerne handlet om stemmen hans? For den ble ganske mørk på slutten der ja. Dette er et helt greit album. Jeg husker da det kom og da han døde så hadde jeg vært gjennom et år hvor jeg hørte veldig mye på I’m Your Man, og tenkte at denne plata nok en gang var et forsøk på noe av det samme. Egentlig er vel alle platene etter I’m Your Man litt repeat. Det er ikke en uverdig avslutning for Cohen, men en helt ok. Tittelsporet er høydepunkt så det holder (det tror jeg Øystein Karlsen mente også fordi jeg minnes at han brukte låta komisk mange ganger i Exit), men det meste får meg til å tenke på tidligere storhet og at jeg forventer mer av en artist med et kaliber som Cohen.

Jeg vil så gjerne at dette skal være bedre. Toppene er høye, men han snubler for ofte. Låtskrivinga går litt på autopilot noen ganger, og produksjonen er til tidvis flaut amatørmessig. Men det er jo ingen som er kulere, og det er mye bra her.

It's just an old bloke that smokes 60 woodbines a day, talking over some really dull music ... or am I missing something???

Leonard Cohen again. This album released and he passed away less than 3 weeks later at 82 from leukemia. This was very much a coming to terms with death album. Reconciling at the end of life. It's very emotional and it's obvious Cohen is leaving it all out there. Cohen was a great poet. Great and very effective simple writing that's very powerful; but i'm really not a fan of spoken word poetry set to music. The style and Cohen's voice just don't work for me. It sounds out of place when the music is so beautiful.

6/10 A disjoint between the vocals and everything else - understandable, of course.

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

Bad. Very bad.

Beautiful and haunting but slow and a little unfoucsed. Maybe something I'll grow to enjoy more as I get older? It's impossible to not compare this with Black Star, a last words artistic statement that still keels kinetic and exciting 10 years out. You Want It Darker (tital track) is an all timer though, one of Cohen's best.

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.

This might have been the worst album I have listened to since starting this. J Just bad. I don't understand why this crap is considered something everyone needs to listen to?

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

This is basically just Leonard Cohen saying cool shit over a beat, and it's fucking rad as all hell

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

Very beautiful. Not my typical cup of tea, however.

I don’t get it, I mean he had an unique voice, but not for me.

It was interesting to have it so focused on his vocals. Really set the mood for the album. Good storytelling. Music arrangements were well done. Not my thing but enjoyed it for what it was.

cool voice, but songs suck

Haunting When this came out I found it very difficult to listen to, not because of faults in the music, but because it made me feel so raw. There is still a sensation of sandpaper in the music, but it's also so beautiful. Not an album that I can listen to very often, but when I can, I love it. As good as anything Cohen ever made. The music is sparse but perfect with his voice. His music is never about the singing per se, but here it is just right to convey the stories of the songs. An incredible artistic achievement

This is the first Cohen album I liked. He knew the end was soon to come and his music expressed his acceptance of this reality. He was leaving the table with few regrets.

damn dude i do want it darker 3.5/5

Reading poetry over music doesn’t really do it for me, But there were a couple tunes I kind of enjoyed. Props to a Canadian Legend though - I’ll try this again in another 30 years - maybe then I’ll get it.

Spoken songs are not really my jam. Also underwhelming instrumental. Don’t ever see myself reaching for anything by this artist honestly. At least not until the first million in the bank.

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

Fine. Dark. I don’t know if it’s worth revisiting.

I enjoyed the album but had notable picks, although he has an undeniably beautiful voice, I'm not sure I would re-listen. Although it was an artistic an snazzy album, 3 stars

I did not want it darker

By the time Cohen began recording this album, his mobility issues forced him to record his portions in his living room with the help from his son, Adam, and then send his recordings by e-mail to his musical collaborators. The album is really all about the lyrics, which is what Cohen was most famous for. The music itself is simple and really takes a back seat to the lyrics. It's definitely not a happy album - it's Cohen at the end of his life talking about death and religion, with a little bit of his dry humor tossed in. Definitely a classic coming from a legend.

dude im 21, never have i said this about an album before now, but like fuck man, wtf am i supposed to glean from an album from Leonard Cohen!!! what could he possibly have to day to me

I really liked a lot of this music but then, as usual, Leonard Cohen has to open his mouth and ruin it. I clearly don’t get him. Two stars.

Despite his weakened voice, Cohen is a commanding presence on this album. His vocals are careful and measured, thick with the wisdom and weight of a life and career that was reaching its end. The way he rasps "hineni hineni" on the title track is so visceral yet satisfying. Lyrically the album reads as someone reviewing their life and making peace with it; the lyrics are good if not terribly deep or clever on every song. "Treaty" is a highlight, second only to the incredible title track. I do wish the album was more interesting musically, as outside of the fiddle on "Steer Your Way" everything is fairly minimal and sticks to similar sounds. Still, when the closing strings come in, sounding like more than just the end of an album, it hits hard. While I don't enjoy this enough to give it a four, it deserves the praise it gets as an incredible final statement.

Interesting lyrics but not an enjoyable listen for me, the vocals are essentially spoken word and the instrumental section did nothing of interest

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

Ok a bit depressing

3.5 down, enjoyed more than I expected!

1 - TERRIBLE

Best Track - "You Want It Darker"

3.4

Depressing

There are moments where this feels very powerful but much of it quite honestly bores me. I'm glad I listened to it in a way and I can see what's interesting about it, but it's nothing I'd ever revisit.

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

Not bad…not bad at all

Zalig om de dag zo te beginnen. Luister ik vaak.

Prachtig he..

Relaxing album, the whole album is in the same vibe which is nice. The guy smokes a lot

Leonard Cohen is often mentioned among the great lyricists of the rock era. Unfortunately, to an even greater extent than Dylan, vocal shortcomings overshadow the lyrical abilities to the point that if you’re listening to a Leonard Cohen song, it’s probably being sung by someone else (it’s also probably called Hallelujah). I’d be surprised to see many covers of songs off this album, though. Highly personal and thoroughly religious in a way that you don’t hear too often in popular music, this was Cohen’s confrontation with aging and death. From what I was able to grasp on two listens through, the lyrics are poignant, haunting, and very well executed. But as a piece of music…. Well, let’s just say that this album is not to my taste. Again, to my ears, Cohen has never been a good vocalist, but in this case I actually think the impact of time has helped him. He is obviously trying to stay away from long held notes or anything much in the way of tonality. Funnily, that actually helps to steer him away from the aspects I like least of his previous work. Outside of the lyrics, the album is most interesting from a production standpoint. Cohen’s voice is dominant in the mix, and it sounded almost like what I imagine the voice of God would sound like. His voice is worn and tired in a way that emphasizes the feeling that this is his preparation for death and the next great step. But this album shares those elements with Johnny Cash’s American Recordings albums and David Bowie’s Blackstar, which spiritually feel like this album’s closest points of comparison in recent years. And I find myself enjoying those albums much, much more. In the end, as powerful as the lyrics may be, I don’t see myself returning to Cohen’s project in the way I routinely do with the others.

About what I expect from Leonard Cohen

A voz do Cohen nesse álbum é um absurdo de grave. Porém eu tendo a preferir os outros projetos dele.

It sound like less horny Peter Steele talking over some violin underground bar melancholic sounds. Oh how I love that music but vocals were sometimes pissing me of.

There is truly a smoky, world-weary wisdom that You Want It Darker is utterly steeped in. It's the strange magic that happens during the exceedingly rare, perfect storm which happens when one of the finest songwriters ever lives to be older than most people ever will be, while staying active in the music industry with a consistent level of quality *while* maintaining most, if not all of his lucidity, charisma and warmth. The only other thing out there that's really like this is arguably Johnny Cash's American series. But on American 4, Johnny Cash was still just a comparatively spry 70. On You Want It Darker, Leonard Cohen is *82*. Frankly, these songs still have a level of quality and emotional core that would be fitting of his early 70's peak era. His lyrics still contain genuinely novel insights, told in language that is equally simple and poetic ("I wish there was a treaty between your love and mine", "I was fighting with temptation, but I didn't want to win"). He reflects on legacy, and death and old flames, and what remains of love. There are songs here where he's basically giving the listener a pat on the back to comfort *them* in the shadow of his imminent leaving: that level of self-awareness and internal peace is *absolutely* wild. And, he still manages to release some of his best *ever* songs here. You Want It Darker, Leaving The Table, Treaty, and Traveling Light are all breathtaking, essential Leonard Cohen songs. And the rest aren't far behind. And while Cohen has never been celebrated for his performances in the same way he's been celebrated for his songs, his deep, dark, *smokey* vocal presence here really needs to be heard. I didn't think I liked this album this much, but seeing myself write about it has kind of convinced my that this is a 5 for what it is. I do have Cohen albums I prefer, but the fact that he released one of the top 5, *maybe* top 3 albums of his career *this* late is truly incredible.

I need half stars for this.. it’s not a 3, not yet a 4.. I get it, but I fear this isn’t my stuff. Cohen’s voice is doing most of the heavy lifting, and the album peaks with the first song.. Respect but not for me.

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.

I almost feel bad giving this a low score, so maybe I’ll listen again at some point in the future and feel differently, but this album just wasn’t for me at this time.

Lenny coco forever

Interesting but won't be part of my usual rotation

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.

GOAT

This was a pretty heavy listen. I think to fully ‘get’ this album I need to listen to it while I’m not driving as it is so lyrically dense. Music was somber but interesting. Will have to revisit.

what the actual fuck i guess. Onda, entiendo por qué esto le puede gustar a alguien???? onda, slow music, señor que canta turbo grave, etc. pero el mismatch entre lyrics y melodía (es medio como que el canto del señor es almost poetry reading y no cantar per se) me perturba, como que no me termina de cerrar, no me termina de gustar. Eso sumado a que las melodías terminan sonandome repetitivas después de un rato, me la re baja al puno donde ni lo quise terminar bien, empecé a skippear canciones ya halfway through it, lo cual es decir un montón, el disco es cortísimo. No escucharía esto de nuevo, just not for me. Ahora leyendo la wiki entiendo por qué le puede gustar a la gente, lo escribió muy close a su muerte, los lyrics justo tocan temas darks related, etc. Pero creo que esto solo confirma que es mejor cuando venís a las cosas medio blind, porque musicalmente sigue no cayendome bien. Escuché otros temas del señor en spotify y suele cantar!!!!!111 por favor denme más de eso no quiero mas poetry reading no-melódico.

1 star, Tough listen, sounds like something you'd hear at a funeral while on heroin.

AUCH

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

Tremendo 11/10 la voz, las letras, las notas fue un mensaje de despedida sin igual aceptando lo inevitable

An album that felt different depending on when I listened to it. It was fine in the morning, but listening again on a cold, wet night drive unlocked its magic for me. It’s a beautiful meditation on accepting mortality on your own terms. I might not always want to hear this, but when I do… I want it darker.

Treaty On the Level Traveling Light It Seemed the Better Way

On the Level Steer Your Way

Beautiful and haunting. Cohen's voice is so low. His writing impeccable. 2016 was spoiled with fantastic legendary career send offs. This is the kind of album that makes me want to check out the rest of Cohen discography

I didn't really like songs of Leonard Cohen. I understand that's hot, I understand the greatness and the poetry but I didn't really like it, probably will give a 2 here. My critiques were: Too poetic - takes away from stuff; not enough instrumental bonus - a major key that I felt was lacking and finally... I want it darker So when the darker, less poetic, more instrumental driven Cohen album comes up I really enjoy it

lets put it like this, i dont love spoken word stuff, much less did i enjoy the topics, and more than the topics is the narrative surrounding the songs. trully not for me, maybe 2-3 years ago it could have really hit, but now i didn't enjoy it

Je ne sais pas trop quoi en penser. Parce qu'autant le premier titre était très prenant et marquant, le reste m'a beaucoup moins parlé. Le fait est que musicalement, c'est plutôt discret la majorité du temps et je m'y attendais un peu. Vocalement, c'était étonnant. Je ne sais pas à combien de cigarettes par jour il était (il en tient littéralement une sur la pochette !), mais il a une voix extrêmement rugueuse et rocailleuse, qui, je dois bien l'admettre, est tout bonnement frappante. C'est vraiment un bon album, mais peut-être tout simplement pas fait pour moi. Cela dit, le fait qu'il soit sorti juste avant sa mort ajoute un côté... sépulcral à la musique. Je suis persuadé que la liste comprend au moins encore un album de Leonard Cohen, je suis curieux d'entendre ça.

Necesario

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.

Not for me, artistically it might be brilliant as a man dying is coming to terms with his mortality, musically I don’t find it enjoyable and it’s not something I want to listen to, and enjoyable doesn’t mean oh the atmosphere was sad because I do like sad songs, not enjoyable as in I don’t particularly like spoken word.

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

This is amazing and beautiful and wonderful.

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.

Enjoyable, his voice is like a really thick yoghurt. Sounded a bit like Liam Nelson in parts

Music okay. He has a very deep “speaking” voice rather than singing

Good album but dark

Depressing as hell.

I didn't like it; the songs sound like spoken word.

The most unique one by yet. Really relaxing and 'close to the hear' kind of vibe. Really liked then last song "String Reprise/Treaty" Still not really my thing. Probably give this another listen.

Saved? ❌ Would listen again? 🤔 Would recommend to anyone? ❌ Would buy on Vinyl? 🤔

This is one of the finest departures in popular music, released (much like David Bowie earlier in the year) just before he passed away. Moody, dark, accepting and with a final love song to Marianne just after her death. Bill Bottrell and Patrick Leonard are key collaborators, a long way from their Madonna and Sheryl crow stuff. A great epitaph.

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

This album was fine for me, and completely get why some people love Leonard Cohen. Spoken word poetry isn't my jam, so this album doesn't have to0 much for me. Musically it is utterly uninteresting - it's really Leonard Cohen rambling over background music. For someone focusing on (and enjoying) his poetry, I can see how this could be great. It was entirely inoffensive for me, though - was totally fine on in the background.

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.

No, I want it better

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.

1.5

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.

Liked this better than the last one of his from 88.

Amazing and sad.

Fine don’t know his back catalogue apart from Suzanne. Was ok

Leonard Cohen is one of my all time favorite recording artists, but I don’t care who it is, if you’re an 82 year old shut in whose going to die in 17 days, I don’t want to listen to your record. Doesn’t matter if you’re Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Warren Zevon or any other once great artist who is inches from death that this morbid motherfucker put in this book. Let these people die in peace and stop making them croak out final albums from their deathbeds, and most of all stop making me listen to them!

Ok so after hearing (and liking!) the first three Leonard Cohen albums, now I’m getting a late career album. According to Wikipedia this is so late that he croaked a couple of weeks after recording it. Death is the topic of the album, a bunch of ominous dirgey songs, where Cohen is awaiting his death, yearning for some understanding or certainty of the entirely impossible kind. Cohen leans into his deep sound, and so is the music. This is pretty one note throughout though I guess that could fit the subject matter. Overall not a bad listen if you like Leonard Cohen but entirely ok to miss otherwise. Two stars.

> the Beatles

I will need to deep dive Leonard cohen

Another commenter got it right on the money with "Blackstar but for depressed cowboys." And I am SO into it. Boy howdy, call me a depressed cowboy the way this album hit. Also gives me mix of Johnny Cash and Nick Cave vibes, which are both just gorgeous in terms of dynamic and iconic vocals. Will be listening again for sure.

My introduction to Cohen and what an interesting way to start - his death album. Not sure if all his stuff is spoken word style or if this was due to his age and health. The lyrics were interesting. I’ll definitely check out more of his work.

I definitely appreciate this album, but I wish it was musically more interesting. If the strings were present in more than just the first and last song, I definitely would have liked it more. Lyrically very beautiful though.

Nice music for a massage...but totally missing any relevance...

This one surprised me, excellent album!

How does this artist have 2 albums in this list is mindblowing

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 listened to “Rock Lobster” by the B-52’s after I finished this album because I felt a deep need for music that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

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.

Leo disappointed me with his new work, not gonna lie. Boring.

Leonard Cohen's final album before dying on November 6th of 2016 happened to be an album he dropped just about 2 weeks prior with You Want It Darker. This album isn't anything super extraordinary or even special, but it is a very touching piece from the very aged and experienced Leonard as he pulls together some of his sharpest work in years for one final swan song. This album is the more niche Blackstar to some as I am sure Leonard must have known his time was limited as he was previously diagnosed with cancer and really wanted to put his all back into his music and show people that his lyrics still can stand up in a modern day and age. The clearly aged Cohen doesn't do anything crazy vocally but moreso uses his voice to share his own experiences and wisdom to a whole new generation, much like listening to stories from your grandfather's past. The instrumentation is grim and very much feels like Cohen knew the end was near, once again like Blackstar, and yet there is never an ounce of fear in his voice. You Want It Darker takes its' title much more literally than most projects and I really respect the transparency whether or not it was intentional as it is a perfect descriptor of this album for both newer and older Leonard Cohen fans. It may not be the most exciting album in the world but it is a very telling experience that I think takes a lot back on the legend's life in a very beautiful way as it practically goes full circle with how he started to how he ended his stellar career. You Want It Darker is essential as it shows talent is not defined by age and even some of the older souls can come back and release some of their best work even in the twilight years of their career.

carino, genere particolare sul cantautorato. apprezzato ma non il mio

That was quite the Leonard Cohen journey! Very unique!

No thats okay

10’s Acoustic Rock ⭐️Treaty

His voice is still there but I couldn't find anything interesting in the music.

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.

I'd had his first 2 albums before, so wasn't thrilled going into this, but was instantly shook by how good that initial title track is. To be fair the rest of the album didn't live up to that, but was still good. His voice sounds great in his 80's.

God knows why I haven't listened to Leonard Cohen before, but oh man, am I glad I did now, because this shit slaps. And this voice, sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Eerie. He paints an atmosphere more than he sings. It's like every song is aesthetically pleasing, with no redundancy or excess. Ocassional instrumentals are ethereal and provide all the more poise to the sound. Absolute beauty through and through.

Music for old people above the 65 nothing for me

Bro just cough

Like Bowie did with Blackstar, Cohen turns his impending death into art. With his husky and worn voice, Cohen explores his complicated relationship with his faith and reflecting on his life. The instrumentation is sparse, with Cohen's intelligent lyrics getting all the attention they deserve. Cohen can write as well any great poet can. We get some gospel choirs, which further the religious themes found here. Being released so close to his death, songs like 'Leaving The Table' hit just that little bit harder. With the menacing bass line leading the song in, the title track is another favourite of mine. think you will struggle to find many late-career albums better than You Want It Darker.

What a voice.

Those gravelly and finely aged vocals, man…Leonard Cohen’s voice has always been a superstar instrument. Like the superstar Allen Iverson, it dominates the album with so much flair. However, like it was hard to build around AI, I felt like the instrumentation could have done a better job at supporting Cohen’s vocal talents. I liked the strings and the added sense of drama from the orchestral elements, but wanted even more of an emotional backbone from the instrumentation. Faves: On the Level, Treaty

La voix de Leonard Cohen est une voix en soit, très peu d’instrumental derrière, il nous raconte une histoire. Leonard cohen est poete, auteur et peintre et ca se retranscrit dans ses sons qui sont poétiques et originaux. Ils sortent du cadre de musique. Album de 2016, il fait participer son fils a la guitare

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

This is amazing. The first album in this process that I had to immediately listen to again. I don't often give 5 stars, but I'd give this 10 if I could. Full of pathos, self awareness and fantastic imagery. If all his career was building up to this it was worth it.

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.

um tom mt diferente do q costumo ouvir, mas achei poético.

I didn't really like this that much

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

I just love his growl here. What a note to go out on. Spare, beautiful, haunting, and those words. Words that only he could write. A perfect note to check out on.

Impossible not to listen to every single syllable.

did not finish

Me: Wow the world isn't a great place right now 1001 Albums: Here's a sad brooding album from a guy on his death bed to cheer you up

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 tu t’endors ? moi oui

Leonard tells a dark story this time. He looks rough in the album photo

I liked this better than other Cohen albums. It has more grit to it. I enjoyed the lyrics, and the instrumentals weren't bad either.

My first double up - Already listened to it. I just don't like Leonard Cohen. I don't get the appeal of his guttural spoken word. Some of the music behind his speak-singing is decent. But he is boring.

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

i def prefer older leonard cohen, but i still enjoyed it.

haunting

The lyrics are great but thats the only redeeming quality because it sounds shit

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!

tranquilo y oscuro, casi gospel, mood chill, algunas muy oscuras, 3 o 4 de 5

Made me uncomfortable. Felt like I was seductively getting sweet talked by an old man.

Sparse instrumentation really does his voice wonders

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:

Darker yes, but not boring.

pretty much just slam poetry with a soundtrack

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.

Love the songwriting hate the singing. Maybe Mr Cohen should try auto tune

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

Frick yeah I want it darker!

Better by the end of the album, the beginning kinda stank.

одноименная песня с которой начала слушать была даже на грани понравится, вообще в целом сделать один такой трек как бы загадочный было бы прикольно, но я не думала что весь альбом будет такой... ощущение что старый дед-извращенец тебе на ухо шепчет что-то, ну хз

Idk man I don’t rly feel like I needed to listen to this. -Ruby Noah did not finish this record despite it being 36 min long

The slam poetry rasp of this one doesn’t exactly do it for me, either, unfortunately.

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

longe de ser meu estilo. não consegui ouvir 2 músicas

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.

Beautiful production, but I don’t know how much time personally I want to spend with a Death Album. I liked ‘Traveling Light’ but couldn’t escape that every track kinda feels like it’s looking to be a True Detective theme song

Decent album.

I get it, it’s about the lyrics and the meaning is deeply profound written and recorded in his house shortly before his death as a sort of farewell and acceptance of his passing. Coulda been an email.

Aight

- 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

This is beautiful. I’ve been handing out full marks left and right these days. But this album needs full marks. I’ve been hooked on Leonard ever since my first watch of Pump Up The Volume. Would LC care that I associate him with a hot Christian Slater? Anyway, getting off track trying to bring some levity to this final album from Cohen. Stunning. 5/5.

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.

Sad 😥😥

Still don’t get it…

coolio

With gravelly, spoken-word-like vocals and restrained melodies, You Want It Darker feels like a set of religiously charged reflections from a man at the end of his life.

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

I LOVED this album. It is enthralling. There's something intimate about the vocal mix and style. This feels like a conversation I'm listening in on.

Leonard Cohen looks back on his life while on what ultimately be his deathbed. Not a lot to say beyond that. This is a man reconciling his life and allowing us to listen in.

Very dark and sombre blues tracks - the vocals get grating after a while and I’m not sure when I’d ever be in the mood for this, but I didn’t hate it.

Tragic and beautiful

Personally not a fan of his voice. The music around it is very good, but I cannot get past that. Voice is a major component for me and if I don't jive with the voice, I don't really want to listen to it all that much.

The Good: Mr Cohen just kept on smoking! The Bad: He should have been smoking something else… The Ugly: Having to sit through another Cohen album! FUCK ME. 5. FIVE FUCKING TIMES! You listen to one Cohen album, you’ve heard them all. Sure, if you like that kind of stuff, then enjoy it. I really believe that I will have to buy the book of the 1001 albums so that I can start understanding what the rationale is for Dimery and his list. This was the third album I’ve had to listen to, so the last 2 albums need to either be something spectacular, or I am going to shit a brick. Also, what is it with dying artist needing to record a swang song? Off to listen to silence for the next 2 hours… 1*

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 sounds like he doesn't care any more on this, which may be intentional, but it doesn't make for the most engaging listen.

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.

I’m not sure what I just listened to

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.

Like the guy but this was a completely useless album.

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.

Jesus Christ. Another Leonard Cohen album? You’re telling me no artists not on this list have ever recorded an album that would be better time spent listening than all of the Cohen albums? This is some bullllshit.

We got it darker. As if Leonard Cohen could get darker ...

Probably a personal failing on my part that I just can't seem to manage to like anything by Leonard Cohen. Weird because I love Tom Waits and like Nick Cave. Oh well.

Not for me 1/5

Exceptional lyrics

Chilling.. yet warm? Its perfect Cohen.

So this is literally the album that allowed me to grieve my fathers passing. It is phenomenal beyong belief

Ik vind dit niks. Het voelt ergens niet echt, alsof hij zo’n lage stem opzet ipv dat het z’n echte stem is. Als hij wat hoger gaat, hoor je wel wat z’n stem is, maar dat lage, nee. Als hij een andere stem had gehad, had ik het misschien wel iets hoger gerate. Ook wel saai.

wat een perfect laatste album

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

Beautiful album Song I like: Treaty, string reprise/ Treaty

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.

Haunting and truly goth in the original sense.

Just not a big Leonard Cohen fan, but I can appreciate the appeal

Unconventional, great