A great new book captures pictures from Kurt Cobain's last photoshoot

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is easily one of the most mythologised, eulogised and conspiracy-theorised musicians of the last century. Whether we consider his sad induction into the 27-club, his tumultuous relationship with Malaysia Airlines mystery-solving wallflower Courtney Love or the various mental and physical ailments that manifested themselves so intensely through his songs, Kurt’s was a life destined for scrutiny.

So it’ll delight many that hundreds of previously-unseen images are being released – this time from Nirvana’s last ever formal photo shoot. The images were captured by Jesse Frohman, and narrate the late days of Kurt’s life where he sported Jackie O-shades and at times, a leopard print coat, accessorised at all times with a smouldering cigarette.

The photographs, published this month by Thames & Hudson in a book entitled Kurt Cobain: The Last Session, accompanied an Observer interview in July 1993, conducted just nine months before Kurt’s death. It includes more than 100 images of Kurt as well as contact sheets. As is so often the case with these artefacts from Kurt’s life, the pictures weave a confusing narrative, showing a man at times playful, at others confused and angry – and offer up another poignant piece to the confusing puzzle of his story.