Leonard Cohen: new album, Old Ideas

The rumors are true, friends: Old Ideas, Leonard Cohen’s first album of new material in eight years, will be released January 31st, 2012. Old Ideas will be Leonard’s twelfth studio album with Columbia Records since signing with the label in 1967. Consisting of ten new songs, Old Ideas poetically addresses some of the most profound questions of human existence — spirituality, love, sexuality, loss and death.

Fans were given a hint of what to expect when Cohen made remarks as the recipient of the Principe de Astrurias Prize for literature in Spain in October:

“As I grew older, I understood that instructions came with this voice. And the instructions were these… Never to lament casually. And if one is to express the great inevitable defeat that awaits us all, it must be done within the strict confines of dignity and beauty.

Old Ideas will be released on CD, digital download, and 180 gram LP. Fans also have the opportunity a purchase a collector’s bundle featuring the album and a limited edition lithograph of Leonard’s artwork. Lithographs are digitally signed and numbered and limited to 5500 copies. All pre-orders will also come with an instant download of “Show Me The Place.” Click here to pre-order.

Listen to “Show Me The Place”: