British rocker Peter reflects on long-awaited comeback album 'I/O' that was nearly three decades in the making

In the current music landscape filled with short songs and quick hits, Gabriel stands out as an anomaly. Known for his elaborate and introspective songwriting, Gabriel has just released his latest album, titled ‘I/O,’ after a 21-year hiatus from releasing new music. The album explores themes of time, mortality, regeneration, and reconciliation while celebrating the human qualities of love, belonging, and compassion.

At 73 years old, Gabriel describes himself as a perfectionist and admits that the album’s creation was a long and protracted process. He wanted to focus on living life rather than just being a professional musician. Despite being a “tinkerer” and frequently having musical ideas, he found it challenging to finalize lyrics that he was happy with. However, he believes that part of the creative process involves feeling good about lowering one’s standards and letting the energy flow.

Gabriel’s seven-minute songs go against the trend of short, TikTok-friendly snippets dominating popular music. He believes that as things become shorter, there is an attractiveness and value in longer, slower experiences. Gabriel embraces the album as a form, valuing the experience of being taken on a journey and wanting to give that experience to others.

The album ‘I/O’ explores the concept of interconnectedness, addressing both microcosms and macrocosms. Gabriel contemplates physical sensations, data, life cycles, and ecospheres in his songs. He has always been fascinated by the intersection between humanity and technology, and he believes that the future lies in a world that integrates nature and technology. Gabriel acknowledges that artificial intelligence will surpass human capabilities in many areas but emphasizes the importance of maintaining our humanity and embracing imperfection.

Since January, Gabriel has been releasing one song from ‘I/O’ each month to coincide with the full moon, honoring a natural cycle. Each song is paired with an image by a contemporary artist. The album offers alternative versions of each song, allowing the listener to choose between Mark Spike Stent’s glossier and three-dimensional mixes or Tchad Blake’s intimate and grainy mixes.

Throughout his career, Gabriel has been involved in various humanitarian projects and organizations. He founded the Elders, a group of world leaders, and Witness, which uses video technology to promote human rights. He is currently involved in projects such as the Interspecies Internet, which aims to translate between human and animal languages, and Reverberation, which explores the neuroscience and healing properties of music.

The themes explored in ‘I/O’ have been evolving since the early 2000s. Gabriel initially intended to write about birth, death, and the experiences in between. However, over time, thoughts about time, the mind, and the workings of the brain became more prominent. The album strikes a balance between exuberance and loss, reflecting on mortality while also celebrating the joy of life. Emotional and poignant, ‘I/O’ is a testament to Gabriel’s artistry and introspective songwriting.