Veteran musician Peter Gabriel has officially announced his next album, 'o/i', slated for release in 2026, marking an eagerly anticipated follow-up to his 2023 work, 'i/o'. The first single, "Been Undone," is set to premiere on January 3rd, coinciding with the Wolf Moon. Gabriel plans to roll out each new track from 'o/i' with subsequent full moons throughout the year, culminating in the album's full release by December. This unique release strategy mirrors the successful approach taken with 'i/o'.
Gabriel characterizes 'o/i' as a profound exploration of humanity's future, touching on the transformative impacts of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and brain-computer interfaces. He views artists as interpreters of these evolving landscapes, offering insights and reflections. Furthermore, Gabriel highlights the album's themes of interconnectedness, asserting that humans are integral parts of nature rather than isolated entities, advocating for a return to fundamental human experiences like connection, movement, and affection to achieve happiness and belonging.
The Unveiling of 'o/i' Through Lunar Phases
Peter Gabriel has confirmed that his forthcoming album, 'o/i', will be available to the public in 2026. The initial single, titled “Been Undone,” is scheduled for release on January 3rd. Emulating the innovative rollout of his prior album, 'i/o', Gabriel intends to introduce a new song from 'o/i' each month, aligning with the occurrence of the full moon. This methodical release will commence with the Wolf Moon on January 3rd and proceed monthly until the arrival of the Cold Moon on December 23rd, at which point the entire album will have been distributed.
Gabriel’s unique distribution method for 'o/i' is designed to build anticipation and allow listeners to absorb each track individually before the full collection is available. “Been Undone” is introduced alongside a piece of art titled "Ciclotrama 156 (Palindrome)" by Janaina Mello Landini, emphasizing a multimedia experience. Gabriel expressed his admiration for Landini’s work, noting its organic forms that resonate with themes of fractals and the human brain, themes often explored in his music. He eagerly anticipates Landini’s original contribution specifically for the upcoming song, believing it will add an extra layer of excitement and depth to the project.
Reflecting on Humanity and Future Technologies
Peter Gabriel has articulated that the compositions within 'o/i' delve into a diverse array of perspectives and emotions. He has been contemplating the trajectory of the future and potential human responses to it, particularly in light of impending societal shifts driven by artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and brain-computer interfaces. Gabriel posits that artists play a crucial role in foresight, serving as mirrors to reflect the changes they perceive within the evolving mist of time. His work aims to capture these “lumpy bits,” illustrating how the internal world finds new external expressions and vice versa.
Expanding on these concepts, Gabriel states that humanity is not and has never been entirely self-sufficient or independent, but rather an intrinsic component of the natural world and the broader universe. He suggests that fostering genuine connections, embracing physical expression, and both giving and receiving love are essential for discovering one’s place and experiencing profound joy. A portion of the songs on 'o/i' are also connected to a long-standing “brain project” Gabriel has been developing, while others are simply expressions of personal happiness. Mark 'Spike' Stent and Tchad Blake are once again contributing their distinct mixing styles, creating “Bright-Side Mix” and “Dark-Side Mix” versions for each track, a continuation from the 'i/o' album. Currently, Gabriel has not announced any touring plans for 'o/i'.