20 Greatest Alternative Albums Of 2016

4. Leonard Cohen – You Want It Darker

Despite suffering from many ailments and illnesses, music's all-encompassing figure Leonard Cohen created one of his best ever albums in 2016 in the supernatural phenomenon You Want It Darker.

Taking everything else out of the equation, the bare bones of this striking release is the contemplation of man's inevitable demise. On the tension ratcheting title-track, the legendary crooner addresses this with lines like "I'm ready my lord" and "If you are the healer, I'm broken and lame", words that linger in the listener's mind long after it has concluded.

His deep, gravely voice informs much of this sparse release, particularly on the contemplative plodder 'Treaty', the sad, emotionally draining 'Leaving The Table' and the exotic orchestral waltzer 'Traveling Light.'

Sadly, Cohen passed away just three weeks after the LP's release, leaving behind a lasting legacy and body of work that will never be forgotten.

Contributor
Contributor

Music Journalism graduate and freelance writer from Northern Ireland, who enjoys scouring the music archives for the best sounds from the past and present. Writer for the awesome publications WhatCulture, Metal Injection, Scribol, The Gamer, and Prefix.