Music Review: Leonard Cohen, You want it Darker

Leonard Cohen.

While Leonard Cohen's recent passing quite rightly saw an outpouring of grief towards the loss of the 82-year-old, his gift of music will resonate decades into the future.

To those of us lucky enough to have witnessed his live performances, even moreso.

True to form, Leonard left us with another highlight of his much vaunted career, in this recent release You want it Darker.

Given the circumstances of his failing health, the quality of the music is truly remarkable.

These are songs and sounds on a par with Sisters of Mercy, So Long Marianne, even dare I say it, Hallelujah.

Apparently we owe a big debt to Leonard's son Aaron for the making of this new album.

While Leonard and his music collaborator Patrick Leonard had the material ready for the studio, it was Aaron who went out and bought a special chair to support Leonard's back during the recording sessions. Aaron also produced the album.

The title and opening track lets us know from the get-go that Leonard Cohen was at the top of his game musically. And so it goes, with every track a highlight.

Treaty, On the Level written by Sharon Robinson, Leaving the table (perhaps a portent of his imminent meeting with this maker), If I Didn't have you love, Traveling Light, It seemed the better way featuring a gorgeous choir from the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue, Steer your way and finally String Reprise/Treaty.

As you would expect, Leonard's lyrics are often spiritual and with religious undertones, meaningful and profound.

Thank you Mr L Cohen, not just for this fitting finale to your recording career, but for a catalogue of unique and unparalleled music.

Rating: 5/5 stars