3 December 2023

Album artwork

PETER GABRIEL has launched his new album, baptized i/o, only his 10th LP in 46 years.

Press statement: “12 tracks of grace, gravity and great beauty that provide welcome confirmation of not only Peter’s ongoing ability to write stop-you-in-your-tracks songs but also of that thrilling voice, still perfectly, delightfully intact. Throughout the album the intelligent and thoughtful – often thought-provoking – songs tackle life and the universe.

Our connection to the world around us – ‘I’m just a part of everything’ Peter sings on title track i/o – is a recurring motif, but so too the passing of time, mortality and grief, alongside such themes as injustice, surveillance and the roots of terrorism. But this is not a solemn record. While reflective, the mood is never despondent; i/o is musically adventurous, often joyous and ultimately full of hope, topped off as it is, by the rousingly optimistic closing song, Live and Let Live.”

The Guardian (UK newspaper): A beautiful comeback three decades in the making.
“i/o doesn’t feel like an album that’s been endlessly, if intermittently, reworked over decades.
It’s all clearly carefully considered, but it still sounds remarkably fresh as it touches, lightly, on a variety of Gabriel’s longstanding preoccupations. It ebbs and flows beautifully. The lyrics feature Gabriel climbing a hill, as the lyrics of his debut solo single did, but this time lost in memories and the thought of time’s passing. It would work perfectly as a grand finale. i/o is so rich in ideas, you hope it won’t have to“. Full interview here. Score: 4/5.

TUTV: I’m not as euphoric as most of the critics are. Mind you, Gabriel created an arresting record here, he actually needed almost 3 decades to come to this point. ‘i/o’ is a beautifully polished collection of well-crafted songs. Mostly quiet and meditative ones, except for 3 funky tunes, The Court, Road To Joy and Olive Tree. Gabriel is without question, a masterly singer-songwriter, but there aren’t enough masterstrokes on ‘i/o’ to make masterpiece longplayer. One more thing: every song has a bright and a dark mix. I have no idea why, it doesn’t add something noteworthy whatsoever to this opus.

Key tracks: The Court – i/o – Road to Joy – Olive Tree – Live And Let Live

ALBUM

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PETER GABRIEL: Instagram – Website