o\i

Peter Gabriel has announced a new studio album, "o\i", to be released in November. As the name suggests, "o\i" is a companion piece to 2023's "i/o". 10 of the new album's 13 tracks have already been released as digital singles this year as part of Gabriel's full moon project, a video message and new track each full moon. "Who Are We Talking To?", "Yes, It Will Go On" and "Sacrament" have yet to be released, though fans have speculated that "Who Are We Talking To?" is a new version of "Radio Everyone", a 2015 song composed for a United Nations campaign.

Like its predecessor, "o\i" is available in 2 mixes, 'Bright-Side' (mixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent) and 'Dark-Side' (mixed by Tchad Blake, with the exception of "Who Are We Talking To?", which is mixed by Mike Elizondo). The 4 CD set features both mixes (as with the last album, you cannot buy either separately on CD) while 'Bright-Side' and 'Dark-Side' are currently only available on vinyl as separate 2 LP sets.

At the time of writing, there are 4 variants of each of the 2 LP sets. 'Bright-Side' will be available on either black, opaque green, neon green or translucent green vinyl. 'Dark-Side' will be out on either black, neon pink, neon vinyl or translucent purple vinyl.

Following his Grammy win for the Dolby Atmos of "i/o", Hans-Martin Buff is again responsible for the Atmos mix (aka the 'Inside-Mix') which will be available digitally, though no physical release has been announced. "i/o" was released as a 2 CD + BluRay edition and later, a box set including both mixes on CD and vinyl, plus the Atmos mix on BluRay, but there's no such set scheduled for "o\i" at the moment.

"This record has been more of a marathon than a sprint", says Gabriel. "It's the longest album I have ever put out with 13 tracks that complete the 'i/o' and 'o\i' 25 track joint project". Indications from streaming sites suggest the album is 82 minutes long, too long to fit on a single CD, which explains the 4 CD set. If it's a bit disappointing having to buy 4 CDs to own both mixes of the album, the pricing is good and the packaging sounds better than the flimsy, spine crushing 2 CD + BluRay of "i/o", because the "o\i" 4 CD is described as a hardcover book edition (let's hope that's accurate).

"The songs are a mix of thoughts and feelings", Gabriel goes on. "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 a little 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."

"o\i" is out on November 27th, 2026, via Real World Records.