Peter Gabriel's i/o is an album full of grace, gravity, and beauty that resonates with echoes of the past, but ultimately captures the essence of the here and now.
On the 12-tracks that make up i/o, Peter Gabriel reaffirms his position as a one-of-a-kind maker of profound and breathtaking music. The album not only showcases his continued ability to craft songs that halt you in your tracks but also highlights that incredible voice, which remains as powerful as ever. With themes including the universe and our connection to the world around us, i/o can honestly be called a musical journey as it tackles the profound and the thought-provoking questions in all of us.
The album's lyrics dive into the complexities of existence, addressing topics such as the passage of time, mortality, grief, injustice, surveillance, and the roots of terrorism. Yet, despite these heavy themes, i/o is far from a solemn affair. Gabriel maintains a reflective yet never despondent mood, infusing the album with adventurousness, moments of joy, and an overarching sense of hope, culminating in the rousingly optimistic closing track, "Live And Let Live."
"After a years-worth of full moon releases, I'm very happy to see all these new songs back together on the good ship i/o and ready for their journey out into the world," shares Gabriel, reflecting on the release of the new album.
Recorded primarily at Real World Studios and Gabriel's home studio, the album's extensive gestation is reflected in its sizeable cast. Gabriel keeps his trusted inner circle close, featuring the sterling presences of guitarist David Rhodes, bassist Tony Levin, and drummer Manu Katché. Long-time collaborator Brian Eno leaves his mark on several tracks, and notable contributions come from Richard Russell, pianist Tom Cawley, trumpeters Josh Shpak and Paolo Fresu, cellist Linnea Olsson, and keyboard player Don E. The album also benefits from the warm backing vocals of Peter's daughter Melanie and Ríoghnach Connolly of the Breath. With a host of talented contributors, including the Soweto Gospel Choir, Swedish all-male choir Oprhei Drängar, and the New Blood Orchestra, i/o emerges as a true tapestry of sound, both soothing and soaring.
True to his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist, Gabriel takes i/o beyond a mere collection of songs. Each of the 12 tracks underwent dual stereo mixes: the "Bright-Side Mix," crafted by Mark "Spike" Stent, and the "Dark-Side Mix", reshaped by Tchad Blake. Gabriel explained, "We have two of the greatest mixers in the world in Tchad and Spike, and they definitely bring different characters to the songs." Extending the collaborative spirit, Gabriel enlisted a key group of visual artists to contribute pieces of art accompanying each track, including Ai Weiwei, Nick Cave, and Olafur Eliasson. The cover shot, captured by photographer Nadav Kander, echoes Gabriel's earlier albums, hinting at the past while also establishing i/o as an album for the present.