"You Want It Darker," released on October 21, 2016, is Leonard Cohen's fourteenth studio album, coming just 17 days before his death. The album, which garnered critical acclaim, explores themes of death, God, and humor. The title track won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance in January 2018 and is notable as Cohen's final album released during his lifetime, preceding the posthumous "Thanks for the Dance" in 2019.
Due to health issues, including multiple spinal fractures, Cohen recorded the album at home in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles. This setting allowed him to focus intensely on his work, free from many distractions. Despite his struggles, he found moments of joy during the recording process.
Musically, "You Want It Darker" features a more sparse and acoustic sound, dominated by blues influences. Cohen also incorporated his Jewish heritage by inviting Cantor Gideon Zelermyer and the Shaar Hashomayim Choir from his childhood synagogue to participate, further enriching the album's spiritual depth.
