Leonard Cohen officially announces upcoming album

Leonard Cohen has announced that he has completed recording on his first album of new material in seven years and will be releasing it in 2012. Titled Old Ideas, the album includes ten tracks that were previously unpublished.

Cohen was in Oviedo, Spain to accept the Principe de Asturias Prize for writing and talked with reporters. "I've played it for a few people, and they seem to like it."

As far as touring in support of the album, Cohen said "God willing. I never quite know whether there's going to be a tour or not."

Assisting Cohen at times was his son, Adam, who told the BBC "I was asked in some consultant capacity on a few occasions and I'm very happy to listen to what's being created and be asked for my opinions."

Among the songs reportedly on the album are Lullaby, The Darkness, Feels So Good and Born In Chains.

Cohen, 77, recently came to the end of a multi-year tour that took him around the world. The singer released two live albums from the trek, Live in London and Songs From the Road.