Peter Gabriel releases new track 'Panopticom' from his upcoming album i/o

On the first moon of 2023, Peter Gabriel has unveiled his new song, ‘Panopticom’, from his upcoming album i/o.

Written and produced by the musician, the new single was recorded at Real World Studios in Wiltshire and The Beehive in London.

Speaking of the creation of ‘Panopticom', Gabriel said, “The first song is based on an idea I have been working on to initiate the creation of an infinitely expandable accessible data globe: The Panopticom.”

“We are beginning to connect a like-minded group of people who might be able to bring this to life, to allow the world to see itself better and understand more of what’s really going on,” he continued.

The song, powered by long-time collaborators Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché, is also underpinned by the haunting electronics of Brian Eno. Additional backing vocals are provided from Ríoghnach Connolly of The Breath. Gabriel’s lyrics are inspired by the work of three groups; Forensic Architecture, Bellingcat and the pioneering human rights organisation co-founded by Gabriel, WITNESS.

The release of Gabriel's latest track on the full moon is no coincidence- and marks the start of no ordinary release schedule for i/o. The lunar phases will dictate the release plan for his upcoming album, with a new song unveiled with each full moon.

“Some of what I’m writing about this time is the idea that we seem incredibly capable of destroying the planet that gave us birth and that unless we find ways to reconnect ourselves to nature and to the natural world we are going to lose a lot. A simple way of thinking about where we fit into all of this is looking up at the sky… and the moon has always drawn me to it,” Gabriel said, speaking on his unique release plan.”

Alongside his unconventional schedule, each new track will be accompanied by a specific piece of art, with ‘Panopticom’ featuring the work, ‘Red Gravity’ by David Spriggs.

Commenting on the song’s artwork, the former Genesis member said, “It was the theme of surveillance that connected me with the work of David Spriggs because he’d done a piece relating to that. David does this amazing stuff using many layers of transparencies so you get these strange creations with a real intensity to them. Part of what he does is imagine what art might look like a few years in the future and then try and create accordingly and I think he’s done that very successfully in this particular piece.”

This summer, Peter will be taking his new album on tour, performing in venues around Europe, where his final show scheduled for 25th June, will take place at Dublin’s 3Arena. Tickets for the i/o tour can be found on Live Nation’s website.

It’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin. Look forward to seeing you out there - pghttps://t.co/vJUcdtfgqP pic.twitter.com/oaDzFobzZ7

— Peter Gabriel (@itspetergabriel) November 13, 2022