David Gilmour’s latest solo work, “Luck and Strange,” arrived earlier this month, adding another significant chapter to his rich musical career. His daughter, Romany Gilmour, is featured on the album on the track “Between Two Points.” This collaboration drew inspiration from their family live streams during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns. The album has received widespread praise for blending Gilmour’s hallmark guitar signature with new, creative elements.
Born in Cambridge, England, in 1946, David Gilmour joined the iconic band Pink Floyd in 1968, shaping the sound that propelled the band to stardom. After Pink Floyd, his solo projects provided a medium for personal expression, exploring themes deeply personal to him. His solo career includes several notable albums, such as his 1978 self-titled debut, which captured a more intimate and melodic side of his music, and the 1984 release About Face.
In 2006, Gilmour released On an Island, an album filled with tranquil, ambient soundscapes. In 2015, he followed up with Rattle That Lock, an album that mixed blues, jazz, and orchestral arrangements.
To mark the release of “Luck and Strange,” we will rank David Gilmour’s albums. See our list below.
5. Rattle That Lock (2015)
Label: Reprise / Warner Bros.
Following Pink Floyd’s final album, “The Endless River,” David Gilmour released “Rattle That Lock.” The album was well-received, becoming his second UK no.1 solo album. It reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and won the “Best Art Vinyl” award in 2015 for its creative album cover. The diverse music styles reflect Gilmour’s experimentation with different genres, with the title track drawing from the Book of Common Prayer for lyrical inspiration, showcasing his deep connection to classic English literature.
4. About Face (1984)
Label: Reprise / Warner Bros.
Released just a day before David Gilmour’s 38th birthday, “About Face” includes tracks like “All Lovers Are Deranged” and “Love on the Air,” with lyrics by Pete Townshend. The album features contributions from notable musicians like Jeff Porcaro and Steve Winwood. It includes the hit single “Blue Light,” which was Gilmour’s second top 40 hit in the UK. This album reflects Gilmour’s personal and political thoughts during a break in Pink Floyd’s activities.
3. Luck and Strange (2024)
Label: Reprise
“Luck and Strange” was recorded partly during and inspired by the global lockdown, featuring intimate home sessions. Released on 6 September 2024, the album features lyrics by Gilmour’s wife, Polly Samson, that explore themes of mortality and aging, expressed through the reflective tone and lyrical depth of tracks like “The Long Goodbye.”
The song “Luck and Strange,” recorded in 2007, features posthumously featured keyboards by the late Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright. The album topped the UK Albums Chart, becoming David Gilmour’s third number-one album. The collaboration with his daughter on “Between Two Points” is particularly poignant, offering a tender exploration of familial relationships and shared histories.
2. David Gilmour (1978)
Label: Reprise / WB
David Gilmour’s debut solo album after Pink Floyd’s “Animals” reflects his desire to leave the band’s shadow. Featuring musicians like Rick Wills and Willie Wilson, it includes tracks like “There’s No Way Out of Here,” originally recorded by the band Unicorn but became a staple in Gilmour’s performances due to its popularity.
In an interview with Circus in 1978, Gilmour said, “This album was important to me in terms of self-respect. At first I didn’t think my name was big enough to carry it. Being in a group for so long can be a bit claustrophobic, and I needed to step out from behind Pink Floyd’s shadow.“
1. On An Island (2006)
Label: Reprise
Released on David Gilmour’s 60th birthday, “On An Island” marked his return to solo music 22 years after “About Face” in 1984 and 12 years after Pink Floyd’s “The Division Bell.” Featuring contributions from his Pink Floyd bandmate Richard Wright and legendary musicians David Crosby and Graham Nash, the album had lyrical contributions from his wife, Polly Samson.
Entering the UK charts at #1 gave David Gilmour his first chart-topping solo album outside of Pink Floyd. The album’s reflective and tranquil tunes, like the title track and “A Pocketful of Stones,” have been widely praised for their lyrical depth and instrumental sophistication.
