Written by Helen Stride    Tuesday, 31 January 2012 00:00   
Single: Leonard Cohen - Darkness
Music

Everybody rejoice! Leonard Cohen is back with a new single and it does not disappoint. Taken from the forthcoming (and excellent) album Old Tricks, “The Darkness” is a dark, slick blues with low, twanging guitars and warbling organ.

Cohen’s voice, as low as ever, smoothly croons over this languorously slutty bassline as he explores themes of money, sex and growing old. “I got no future, I know my days are few”, he growls, “I thought the past would last me but the darkness got that too”.

The song manages to be both sinister and upbeat, dark and humorous as if through the gravel of his voice you can still hear a twinkle in his eye. This effect is musically mirrored by the organ and piano who punctuate the lower frequencies with their jazzy interjections.

Leonard may be following Bob Dylan’s transition from young stud to elderly rock tortoise, but after 77 years, he’s still got it.