Pink Floyd

A Saucerful of Secrets

First released1968

A Saucerful of Secrets, Pink Floyd's second studio album, was recorded primarily at Abbey Road Studios in London between late 1967 and early 1968. The album was produced by Norman Smith, an experienced Abbey Road engineer who became the band's producer, with recording engineer Peter Bown contributing to sessions. The production marked a transition in the band's sound, moving away from the psychedelic pop of their debut toward more experimental instrumental passages and longer compositional structures. Notable technical choices included the use of innovative recording techniques for the time, such as multitrack recording and sound manipulation on tracks like the title track "A Saucerful of Secrets." The album was released in August 1968 during a period of significant change for the band, as founding member Syd Barrett was being phased out and David Gilmour was brought in as additional guitarist before the album's completion.