"The Endless River" is the fifteenth and final studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released in November 2014. The album marked the band’s first release after the death of keyboardist Richard Wright in 2008 and was produced primarily from material recorded during the sessions for their 1994 album The Division Bell. Additional material was recorded in 2012 and 2014, with the final product mainly consisting of instrumental and ambient tracks. The album was produced by David Gilmour, Youth, Andy Jackson, and Phil Manzanera, with the exception of "Louder than Words," which features lyrics and lead vocals by Gilmour.
The Endless River was conceived as a tribute to Wright, who had been a key contributor to the band's sound. Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason revisited the unused Division Bell material in 2013, reworking and adding to it. The album includes an extended flow of music that is meant to be experienced as a continuous piece. The only song with lyrics, "Louder than Words," addresses the band's history and their relationship, with lyrics penned by Gilmour's wife, Polly Samson. Other tracks like "Autumn '68" feature archival recordings of Wright from earlier Pink Floyd sessions.
The album cover art was created by 18-year-old Egyptian artist Ahmed Emad Eldin, who had a concept that resonated with the band’s aesthetic. The cover, depicting a figure punting a boat across a sea of clouds, was a nod to Pink Floyd’s longstanding visual style, created by Hipgnosis. Following the passing of longtime cover artist Storm Thorgerson, the design was completed by Aubrey Powell and Stylorouge.
The Endless River was promoted heavily, with art installations featuring the album’s cover appearing in cities worldwide. It was the most pre-ordered album in Amazon UK’s history and debuted at number one in multiple countries. However, the album received mixed reviews: while some critics appreciated the nostalgia and emotional tribute to Wright, others found the album lacking in ambition, describing it as meandering and less impactful compared to Pink Floyd’s earlier work.
The album also marked the band's last major project, with Gilmour stating that it would be their final album, as there was no way to replicate the band's unique dynamic without Wright. This sentiment was echoed by Mason, who also acknowledged that The Endless Riverwould likely be Pink Floyd's final recording.
