Leonard Cohen has one speed: slow. It’s a baked in approach and the pace in which his 14th studio album You Want It Darker unfolds. In striking fashion, Cohen meticulously careens through gospel-tinged tunes, stopping only to reflect upon what has been a historical run. The easy thing to do would have been to let nostalgia take over, but he dodges that pitfall by constructing a narrative that is as bold as it is progressive.
You Want It Darker is a fluid album that reflects a wide range of ideas and emotions; his mortality, attitudes toward industrialization, faith. There’s enough heady content for two albums, but Cohen manages it down to reasonable proportions; the less is more philosophy. The simple act allows for compromise and pushes the theme forward, from hopeless to hopeful. It’s a skillful display of the written word, and another colorful dimension to his subtle artistry.
‘You Want it Darker‘
Dark and smokey with a gloomy cloud of retribution flying high above. The religious undertones infused in the beat add an ominous feel, and Cohen (being the ray of sunshine that he is) acquiesces by breathing fire into the lungs of the congregation. From line to line it reads as an obscure poem, but as a total package there is an immediate sense of accountability that puts all of mankind on blast:
‘Treaty‘
His body and mind are weary and with his last breath he calls out for peace. The deathbed confessional offers a panoramic view of a world boiling over with rage and hypocrisy. The velvet melodies drifting in the background come with a hint of gospel, creating a supple landscape for him to address his relationship with the almighty. There is a reckoning, but he handles the tension with grace:
‘On The Level‘
Cohen frames the philosophy that the same thing that makes you laugh will also make you cry. But instead of buckling and getting caught up in polarity he sidesteps the game, realigning his life trajectory towards something more worthwhile. Battling ideologies of this magnitude is not an easy undertaking, but with the help of some savvy musicians he’s able to traverse this land with confidence:
‘Leaving the Table‘
With a bluesy twang of the guitar, Cohen is sent packing. He’s calling it quits, cashing in and making his way to the promised land; one man knowing when it’s time to move on. The universal message is striking, and is particularly meaningful in a time when everything works at lightening speed. He’s always moved at a different pace and it’s time for him to transition yet again:
‘If I Didn’t Have Your Love‘
Keeping in stride with the somber hues, Cohen leans back and embraces the softer side of life. The percussion is ever so slight, but strong enough to chase down his fugitive memories. He’s packing a lifetime’s worth of emotion into a small space, which is only possible by creating the right tone and atmosphere. He’s showing gratitude only as he knows how; pouring his heart out with no filter:
‘Traveling Light‘
The wailing violin adds an even more potent level of drama. Couple that with some haunting vocals and you have the makings of a wild tale. Cohen’s voice is like a campfire, warming up the room with a hypnotic tone. There is a transient element that has him moving from one scene to the next. And true to its namesake, the light load makes his steps easier and more freewheeling:
‘It Seemed the Better Way‘
Fact versus truth, a concept that looms large. Cohen wraps his gnarled hands around this dilemma, and wrangles it to the ground easily with his old man strength. The key to his success is his fluid nature, the ability to change his mindset without the resistance that comes with age. The violins and choir are a bit much, but it’s that flare for the dramatic that gives his words that distinct edge:
‘Steer Your Way‘
Industrialization is a vicious and unforgiving monster, one that has caused irreversible damage to both the Earth and mankind. It’s a lightening rod topic that stirs Cohen into a frenzy. Subsequently, he puts the cryptic lyricism aside, opting for a more direct presentation. The sense of urgency is subtle, but the mood Cohen has set makes every slight change in emotion seem seismic:
‘String Reprise / Treaty‘
The emotions are thick, full of melancholy and reflection. Luckily the orchestration lightens the mood, opening the gates for yet another journey. It’s an extension of a previous song, but in this light there is an altogether different feel. Instead of morbidity there is an air of reconciliation that carries on through to the end. A swan song with multiple dimensions: