Peter Gabriel - I/O

More than 20 years in the making, this December finally sees the release of "I/O", Peter Gabriel's first album of new material since 2002's "Up".

And what a creation - 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 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.

Always looking to push the boundaries, I/O is not simply a collection of a dozen songs. All 12 tracks are subject to two stereo mixes: the Bright-Side Mix, handled by Mark 'SPIK' Stent, and the Dark-Side Mix, as reshaped by Tchad Blake. Both versions are included on the double-CD package and are also available separately as double vinyl albums. And that's not all. A third version - the In-Side Mix, in Dolby Atmos, comes courtesy of Hans-Martin Buff and is included in a three-disc set, including Blu-ray. A special limited deluxe box set with 4 LPs, 2CDs, Blu-ray and casebound book will also be available.