Rating: 5/5 stars

Pink Floyd alum David Gilmour has released his fifth studio album, “Luck and Strange,” his first release following a nine-year hiatus from the music industry.

Much like the early experimental work of Pink Floyd, “Luck and Strange” heavily emphasizes the instruments- the vocals melding into Gilmour’s smooth guitar licks and percussionist Adam Betts’s gentle cymbal rolls. The majority of the lyrics were written by author Polly Samson, Gilmour’s wife. Samson’s work is whimsically perfect for her husband’s tenor voice, the title track being an astounding testament. “Luck and Strange” features Pink Floydian-esque guitar riffs and buttery smooth backing vocals done by his three children are strikingly reminiscent of the infamous album “Dark Side of the Moon,” which Gilmour played a heavy role in the composition. However, unlike the iconic album, the rock star features a delicate disposition toward mortality and aging. It is difficult to choose only one outstanding track from this album. Each piece flows effortlessly into the next, making the hour-long album feel like mere minutes. 

Other than the album’s namesake, tracks three and six have become hit singles in the UK. “The Piper’s Call” features beautiful harmonies between Gilmour and his children, the simple bass drum grooves and slick picks of Gilmour’s guitar transport listeners to another plane of existence- the rich medley of vocals and sweet rock and roll instantly easing any mind that takes the time to listen. Although it ends abruptly, it is followed by “A Single Spark;” a relaxing and kind-hearted tune that could almost be considered the folk rock distant cousin of Disney’s “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” 

Farther down the list is “Between Two Points,” the sixth track on the album, a cover of the 1999 song by The Montgolfier Brothers. It is sung by the couple’s daughter Romany, her hauntingly beautiful voice acting as a riveting powerhouse with her father’s light acoustic work. The ghostly vibe is brought to life with “Dark and Velvet Nights,” a poem Samson wrote for Gilmour as an anniversary gift. Listeners can foxtrot with Gilmour and his backing band through a darkly romantic graveyard as he and his love rise from the thick fog left by the previous track and revel in the rebirth of the love the artist has for life and his family. 

The rich mix of vocals from Gilmour and his children takes fans on a journey of rejuvenation, love and peaceful greetings. Overall, this is some of the famed guitarist’s best work in years. Gilmour himself believes this as well, stating in an interview with Prog Magazine’s Jerry Ewing that “It’s over 50 years now since ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’. My feeling is that this album is the best album I’ve made in all those years since 1973 when ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ came out.” Ratings confirm this as the album currently sits at the top of the UK charts and at #10 on the US Billboard 200.

“Luck and Strange” has seemingly come out of the blue for fans, with Gilmour suddenly announcing a tour promptly after the album’s release and teased another album set for 2025.

Image by Jimmy Baikovicius  from Wikimedia