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Leonard Cohen Gearing Up for First Album of New Material in Seven Years

'Old Ideas' to be released on January 31st

October 25, 2011 2:35 PM ET
Leonard Cohen performs on stage
Leonard Cohen performs on stage
Martin Philbey/Redferns

Leonard Cohen has been working on a new album for years, but it's finally hitting shelves on January 31st.  Speaking to the press in Oviedo, Spain while in town to accept an award, Cohen said that the disc will be called Old Ideas. "I've played it for a few people and they seem to like it," Cohen said, adding that he still struggles with songwriting. "When you're writing, you're always an absolute beginner. Each time you take up your guitar or sit by a blank page, you start from scratch. It's a struggle."

Cohen hasn't released an album of new material since 2004's Dear Heather, but he went an epic world tour between 2008 and 2010 where previewed new material onstage, including "Darkness," "Lullaby," "Born In Chains" and "Feels So Good." According to a post on his official online forum, only "Darkness" made the final cut for the disc. (Watch a video of Cohen performing "Darkness" at a 2009 concert below.)

In June of 2010, Cohen spoke with Rolling Stone about his new album. "I'm producing it," he said. "One song was written on tour, the rest were written before." He also said that the disc will contain 10 or 11 songs, and some of them were written with his longtime collaborator Sharon Robinson and his companion Anjani.  

The last tour was far and away the longest of Cohen's career, but the 77-year-old singer said he may hit the road yet again. "God willing," he said. "I never quite know whether there's going to be a tour or not." 

Related
New Box Set for Leonard Cohen Catalog

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