Pre-Order: Peter Gabriel - o\i [4CD]

"The songs are a mix of thoughts and feelings,” Gabriel says. “I have been thinking about the future and how we might respond to it. We are sliding into a period of transition like no other, most likely triggered in three waves: AI, quantum computing, and the brain computer interface. Artists have a role to look into the mists and, when they catch sight of something, to hold up a mirror.  “We are not, and have never been, the exclusively self-determining, independent beings that we imagine we are. We have had a sense of entitlement that everything exists for our benefit - that we’ve been given the run of the world to exploit as we see fit.”

“We are something else, a part of nature, a part of everything and when we feel that connection, shake our booty and give and receive some love, it can help us find our proper place - and put a big smile on our faces.”

“This is how I see the lumpy bits – i/o: the inside has a new way out and o\i: the outside has a new way in.”

Written and produced by Peter Gabriel and, mostly, recorded at Real World Studios, his studio near Bath, England, the album features contributions from a wide range of extraordinary musicians, including long-time band members Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché, i/o touring band members Richard Evans, Josh Shpak and Don E, the New Blood Orchestra, Soweto Gospel Choir and Orphei Drängar choir and notable contributions from, amongst others, Mike Elizondo (who co-produces one track) and Abe Rounds.

Like i/o, the album comes with two distinct mix approaches, the Bright-Side Mix by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent and the Dark-Side Mix by Tchad Blake, with Mike Elizondo handling mix duties on one Dark-Side track.

Cover shot is by Nadav Kander and, once again, each song is accompanied by a piece of art. A selection of wonderful images, chosen by Gabriel, to help bring a greater understanding to the music. Artists involved this time are Janaina Mello Landini, Tomás Saraceno, Judy Chicago, Tatsuo Miyajima, Shirin Neshat, Juan Genovés, Roelof Louw, David Altmejd, Francis Alÿs, Tadashi Kawamata, Berndnaut Smilde, Tishan Hsu, and Michal Rovner.