Obscured by Clouds

"Obscured by Clouds" is the seventh studio album by the British progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Released on 2 June 1972, it serves as the soundtrack to the French film "La Vallée", directed by Barbet Schroeder. The album was recorded in two sessions in France while they were in the midst of touring, and completing their previous album, "Meddle".

Similar to their earlier work "More", the band created "Obscured by Clouds" after Schroeder requested a soundtrack for his film. Despite being a soundtrack album, it comprises well-structured songs and evocative instrumentals which fit well into the Pink Floyd discography. The album's title refers to the cover artwork by Hipgnosis, which depicts a man obscured by a tree, reflective of the album’s themes of hiding and obscurity.

The album includes tracks such as "Free Four", "Wot's... Uh The Deal", and the instrumental title track "Obscured By Clouds". As the album neared completion, the band started incorporating material from it into their live shows. Although the band experienced a somewhat strained relationship during the recording due to intermittent work and performance schedules, the album reached No. 6 in the UK and No. 46 in the US.

While "Obscured by Clouds" is often overshadowed by their more well-known albums, it is considered to hold its own unique position in Pink Floyd's progression, bridging the gap between the exploratory "Meddle" and the groundbreaking "The Dark Side of the Moon".