After more than 20 years, December finally sees the release of “I/O”, Peter Gabriel‘s first album of new song material since 2002’s “Up”.

During 2023, Peter released a new song from the album for each full moon. “It’s a bit like getting a Lego brick every month,” Peter explains. Now it’s time to sit back and admire the finished work.

And what a piece of work – the album’s intelligent and thoughtful songs deal with life and the universe. Our connectedness to the world around us – ” I’m just a part of everything” Peter sings in the title track “I/O” – is a recurring motif, but so is the passing of time, mortality and grief, alongside themes of injustice, surveillance and the roots of terrorism. But although reflective, the mood on this record is never despondent; “I/O” is musically adventurous, often joyful and ultimately full of hope, crowned by the rousingly optimistic closing song “Live and Let Live”.

All 12 tracks can be heard in two stereo mixes: the bright-side mix, edited by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent, and the dark-side mix, remixed by Tchad Blake. Both versions are included on the double CD. A third version – the In-Side Mix in Dolby Atmos – was created by Hans-Martin Buff and is included on the Audio Blu-ray.