My thoughts on David Gilmour's Recent Release "Dark & Velvet Nights"


August 14, 2024 - 1065 views

David Gilmour has just released the third single from his upcoming album, Luck & Strange, set to be released on September 6, 2024. So far, he's unveiled "The Piper's Call," "Between Two Points," and a teaser video for the lead track, "Black Cat," which has already generated significant buzz with its incredible sound. Now, he adds "Dark and Velvet Nights" to the mix, continuing the album's pattern of a sound that's both familiar and refreshingly new.

(watch the video review here)

"Dark and Velvet Nights" begins with a brief intro that harks back to the atmospheric vibes of The Wall, but it quickly transitions into a dark, sultry blues riff. The kind of song you'd expect to hear in a smoke-filled bar scene of a noir film—where the band plays in the background while patrons brood over their drinks, lost in thought. The mood is perfectly set by a Buddy Guy-ish kinda riff, complemented by Gilmour’s signature slide guitar work on his 1933 Rickenbacker Frying Pan. The vocals, unmistakably Gilmour, add the final touch to this evocative track.

As someone who has been profoundly influenced by Gilmour for decades, I might be a bit biased. However, with three singles and a teaser video out, there’s a sense that Luck & Strange is carving out its own unique space compared to Gilmour’s previous solo efforts. About Face, co-produced by Bob Ezrin, and On An Island and Rattle That Lock, both co-produced by Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera all benefited from the fact that Ezrin and Manzanera were intimately familiar with Gilmour's legacy and iconic status, which may begin to explain why this album has a different energy. Notably, it’s co-produced by Charlie Andrew, best known for his work with Alt-J. Andrew, who wasn’t even born when The Wall was released, brings a fresh perspective that Gilmour has described as “a wonderful lack of knowledge or respect for this past of mine. He’s very direct and not in any way overawed, and I love that.”

As the release date approaches, Luck & Strange is shaping up to be a standout addition to Gilmour's discography, promising a blend of classic vibes with a refreshing twist.

Comments(0)

Log in to comment