You Want It Darker
by Leonard Cohen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2016
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 185 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 164 out of 185
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 185
  3. Negative: 16 out of 185
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  1. eliezerdorock
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    um dos melhores discos de soul de todos os tempos, alem de ser a melhor forma possivel de despedida do Leonard Cohen aos seus fãs, porem algumas musicas deixam a desejar em torno da forma sombria do album.
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 12, 2022
    7
    Using his remaining time, he’s not only putting his house in order, he’s tidying up ours too. You Want It Darker prepares us for his departure and, in turn, shows us how it’s done, so we have a road map--pockmarked by land mines as it is--in place when we reach that stage.
  3. lorem
    Apr 2, 2020
    10
    A dark and mystical masterpiece that fascinates and terrifies you at the same time, presenting Leonard Cohen's voice at the highest level of depth.
  4. jesus_testman
    Nov 20, 2019
    10
    Simply, quite possibly the most perfectly fragile, devastating and hopeful album of the 21st Century. Exquisite in its pain
  5. alekblonk
    Sep 8, 2017
    10
    This is an album that will get you goosebumps in just a few minutes. An amazing farewell to a legendary songwriter. There isn't a single song less touching than the other.
  6. Benj_Amin
    Feb 8, 2017
    10
    In the past few years I have listened to and enjoyed several albums which embrace personal experiences of death with a depth and honesty that elevates the art way beyond what is normal for this genre. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lovell and David Bowie's Blackstar in particular both moved me well beyond my normal response.

    I have enjoyed Leonard Cohen over the years and have grown ever    In the past few years I have listened to and enjoyed several albums which embrace personal experiences of death with a depth and honesty that elevates the art way beyond what is normal for this genre. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lovell and David Bowie's Blackstar in particular both moved me well beyond my normal response.

    I have enjoyed Leonard Cohen over the years and have grown ever fonder as time has gone on. This final cut, including a significant contribution from his son Adam in terms of the musical arrangement, is fantastic. It was apparently recorded into a PC over a kitchen table with Cohen too weak to do more. And it sounds like that. A final rasp - almost a death rattle - the words of a dying man, but a man who had the gift of producing poetry so accessible, so unstudied, but at the same time so profound The themes are laden with heaviness, but delivered with a lightness that somehow makes them bearable. The words speak of someone who is reconciled to death, gradually letting go of life, but not shying away from the anxiety or finality of it either. The result is something which is both totally human but at the same time transcendent.

    It marks a beautiful end to an amazing life.    … Expand
  7. Lomandal
    Feb 6, 2017
    8
    When the quiet night is on, LC shall sound. Age won't count. LC never fade. If we are not surprised that Bob won the Nobel prize, then this singing poet should, too.
  8. zabboo
    Jan 14, 2017
    8
    A darkly beautiful and reflective final record from the legendary Cohen, released in a similar fashion to David Bowie shortly before his death from a long illness.
  9. jasharkowalski
    Nov 11, 2016
    10
    So long, dear poet with angel's voice....i buried my mom with your music playing on, asking myself how many new songs you would make that she wouldn't hear....the answer is here and yes, it's darker but beautiful...so long, captain...
  10. abrownone
    Oct 28, 2016
    10
    I'm new to the discography of Leonard Cohen, and beyond Hallelujah (and Jeff Buckley's cover) I have not listen to any other of his songs or albums. After starting this one and listening to it without skipping a single track I have to name it as one of my own personal favorite albums of all time. The lyrics, more poetry than simple lyrics, stand out against the wonderful production andI'm new to the discography of Leonard Cohen, and beyond Hallelujah (and Jeff Buckley's cover) I have not listen to any other of his songs or albums. After starting this one and listening to it without skipping a single track I have to name it as one of my own personal favorite albums of all time. The lyrics, more poetry than simple lyrics, stand out against the wonderful production and instrumentation. At least give this album a listen, and be patient as it takes you on quite the journey.… Expand
  11. wi_bart
    Oct 24, 2016
    9
    Excelent album! It's great how Cohen writes his songs, and also, who he mix the sounds with the words. Treaty moves me more every time I listen to it...
  12. emaspac
    Oct 22, 2016
    10
    stunning. Treaty moves me more every time I listen to it.
    the album is a real masterpiece, so intense and... ostensibly dark.
    but every time you listen it, every time you listen it... he sings an anthem of the real life he passed by. his spirituality, his demons, his love.
    this album will be remembered.
  13. jrodfilms
    Oct 22, 2016
    8
    I never knew too much about Leonard Cohen until Lana del Rey covered one of his songs. This album reminds of of Johnny Cash and those songs you would hear in Natural Born Killers. I can tell I will be listening to this album for a while and check out his earlier stuff.
  14. Prosmooth
    Oct 21, 2016
    10
    Bowie's Blackstar was a goodbye from a rock god. I'm really hoping this isn't a poet god's own way of saying the same. It's a brilliant record--but a grim one.
  15. BryanStein
    Oct 21, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sem sombra de dúvidas um trabalho incrível, todo trabalhado e com produção monumental, cada nota, cada vocal, cada som, cada melodia e algo surpreendente e supera tudo.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2016
64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2016
49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Jan 6, 2017
    80
    There’s rarely been an addition to Cohen’s canon that couldn’t be deemed essential, but in truth, none could be called more revelatory or revealing than this.
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  2. Magnet
    Dec 15, 2016
    90
    Through the dark, Cohen smartly questions everything from the prickly possibilities of future romance to, quite possibly, the sacred Zen Buddhist religion where he once solidly and stoically placed his faith. [No. 138, p.51]
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 29, 2016
    80
    You Want It Darker is a succinct journey into the psyche of a man who knows his career is at an end, but that isn’t going to stop him going out on a high.
    Read full review
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