Leonard Cohen has a new album coming out on October 21 called You Want it Darker which seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy when you hear what the singer/songwriter has to say about his immediate future.
There is a major profile of Cohen in the upcoming edition of The New Yorker and, during his conversation with the writer, the subject of unfinished work comes up. Cohen recited a poem that he had recently composed and said “I don’t think I’ll be able to finish those songs. Maybe, who knows? And maybe I’ll get a second wind, I don’t know. But I don’t dare attach myself to a spiritual strategy. I don’t dare do that. I’ve got some work to do. Take care of business. I am ready to die. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. That’s about it for me.”
It also seems that Cohen might be slowing down considerably. Awhile back, he finished a tour that seemed, more or less, to have lasted for a number of years. Now, according to the article, it is doubtful that he will tour again, possibly playing a one-off here and there. There is also an indication that he isn’t leaving his home that much anymore.
It will be interesting to see just how dark the lyrics on Cohen’s new album are when it is released.
