Panopticom

Not to be confused with Panopticon.

"Panopticom"
Single by Peter Gabriel
from the album I/O
Released	6 January 2023 (bright-side mix) 21 January 2023 (dark-side and in-side mixes)
Studio	Real World (Wiltshire) The Beehive (London)
Genre	Progressive pop[1] art rock[2]
Length	5:13
Label	Real World EMI (UK/Japan) Republic (United States/Canada)
Songwriter(s)	Peter Gabriel
Producer(s)	Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel singles chronology
"Here It Is" (2022) "Panopticom" (2023) "The Court" (2023)

"Panopticom" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel, released in January 2023 as the first single in promotion of his tenth studio album I/O, his first album of original material since 2002's Up. Two versions of the song have been released: the "Bright Side Mix" (mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent) on 6 January 2023, and the "Dark Side Mix" (mixed by Tchad Blake) on 21 January. The cover (for both versions) features David Spriggs' Red Gravity as the cover art.[3] The single was released on the first full moon of the year.

Additional tracks from the album were also released on full moons and received both "bright side" and "dark side" mixes by Stent and Blake, respectively.[4]

Background

On the origin of the song, Gabriel said,

"The first song is based on an idea I have been working on to initiate the creation of an infinitely expandable accessible data globe: the Panopticom. We are beginning to connect a like-minded group of people who might be able to bring this to life, to allow the world to see itself better and understand more of what’s really going on."[5]

Additionally, Gabriel cited research group Forensic Architecture, investigative journalism group Bellingcat, and the non-profit human rights organization WITNESS (co-founded by Gabriel) as inspirations.[3]

The song was recorded at Gabriel's Real World Studios in Wiltshire and the Beehive in London, and features frequent collaborators Tony Levin on bass, David Rhodes on guitar, Manu Katché on drums, and Brian Eno on synths and bells. Ríoghnach Connolly of The Breath also contributed backing vocals.[6]

Artwork

The cover artwork features Red Gravity by David Spriggs, who created the piece in 2021 with acrylic paint on layered plexiglass with dimensions of 84 × 61 × 20 cm. Gabriel commented that the artwork reflected "Panopticom's" lyrical themes of surveillance, which prompted him to reach out to Spriggs for permission to use Red Gravity for the cover art. The artwork was also used as a backdrop for performances of "Panopticom" during Gabriel's i/o tour.[3][7]

Personnel

• Peter Gabriel – lead and backing vocals, synthesizers, rhythm programming, production
• Tony Levin – bass guitar
• David Rhodes – electric guitar, backing vocals
• Manu Katché – drums
• Brian Eno – haunting synths, bells
• Katie May – acoustic guitar
• Richard Chappell – rhythm programming
• Oli Jacobs – rhythm programming, synthesizers
• Ríoghnach Connolly – backing vocals[8]

Charts

Chart performance for "Panopticom"

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[9]	45
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[10]	19
US Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[11]	12

References

1. "Peter Gabriel Confirms First New Album In A Decade". Clash. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
2. Gleadow, Ewan (9 January 2023). "Peter Gabriel - Panopticom Review". Cult Following. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
3. Bonner, Michael (6 January 2023). "Hear Peter Gabriel's new track, "Panopticom"". Uncut. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
4. Jones, Damian (6 January 2023). "Peter Gabriel shares rousing new single 'Panopticom' from forthcoming album 'i/o'". NME. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
5. Hussey, Allison (6 January 2023). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Panopticom": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
6. Rogerson, Ben (6 February 2023). "Peter Gabriel releases new single Panopticom, with Brian Eno providing "haunting electronics"". MusicRadar. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
7. "Red Gravity – David Spriggs". Retrieved 22 June 2024.
8. "New song from Peter Gabriel! – SuperDeluxeEdition". 6 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
9. "Peter Gabriel Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
10. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
11. "Peter Gabriel Chart History". Billboard Rock Digital Songs. Retrieved 27 August 2023.