You Want It Darker  by Leonard Cohen

The album You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen was released on October 21, 2016, just a few days before his death, and is considered his "swan song." The music was mainly written by Patrick Leonard and Adam Cohen, Leonard's son, while the lyrics are entirely by Leonard Cohen.

The album was produced by his son, Adam Cohen, in collaboration with Patrick Leonard. This choice was made due to Leonard's declining health, allowing him to work in a more familiar and comfortable environment. Due to back and mobility issues, the album was recorded at his home in Los Angeles. The living room was converted into an improvised studio, where Cohen sang while seated at the dining table using a vintage Neumann U 87 microphone. The style is described as a blend of folk, acoustic ballad, and country, with a strong presence of orchestral strings, choirs (such as the choir of the Shaar Hashomayim synagogue), and Cohen's signature deep, husky voice.

You Want It Darker achieved significant commercial success worldwide. In Canada, it debuted at the top of the charts and sold over 106,000 units by the end of 2016. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at No.4. In the United States, it reached No.10 on the Billboard charts, while after Cohen's death, sales increased by 197% (!)