Review

By James Crickmore | 11/06/2026

When Pink Floyd and Sony Music announced a new compilation album spanning between 1971-1979, it was anticipated as a great opportunity to experience the progression of a band at the height of its talent. 8-Tracks chooses the perfect songs to demonstrate this. The album features instantly recognisable tracks from Meddle all the way through to The Wall edited together by Steven Wilson for an uninterrupted listening experience. 8-Tracks kicks off, just as 1971 did for Floyd, with the iconic bass of One of These Days. The heavy opener is then nicely juxtaposed with Wot’s...Uh the Deal, a quieter, piano dominated track from 1972’s Obscured by Clouds. Even from just the opening two songs, Floyd’s versatility is hardly left to the imagination. Remarkable tunes from the band’s most successful period lay ahead, the first being the unforgiving Money with its marching bass line and exhilarating changing time signatures. Fan-favourite, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 can be enjoyed here as a standalone track as opposed to its usual part of the story of The Wall, where it depicts the school experiences of the album’s protagonist, Pink. In between, atmospheric tracks Time, Wish You Were Here and Comfortably Numb are the best examples of emotive Floyd tracks that almost make you feel like you’ve been transported to a new dimension when listening. The standout feature on 8-Tracks is a combined version of Pigs on the Wing which was originally featured in two parts on 1977’s Animals. No one will be happier to hear this than David Gilmour himself, who was infamously unhappy with Roger Waters getting double songwriting credits and royalties for just one song. As a bonus for the legendary guitarist, the decision to use the full version on this album has uncovered his solo that was only previously available on the 8-track cartridge of Animals. This new release can only provoke joy from the listener. The chosen tracks are timeless and fine representations of Pink Floyd’s time at the top of their game. From their most legendary guitar solos to thought-provoking yet sing-along lyrics, 8-Tracks has it all in abundance. The record would serve fantastically as a starting point for anyone who wishes to begin to enjoy the wonders Floyd have bestowed on the world. Although not essential listening for established Pink Floyd fans, there aren’t many better options to remind yourself of how prolific Pink Floyd were in that extraordinary eight-year period.