Panopticom Explained

Panopticom should not be confused with Panopticon.

Panopticom
Cover:Panopticom Bright Side.webp
Type:single
Artist:Peter Gabriel
Album:I/O
Released:
  • 6 January 2023 (bright-side mix)
  • 21 January 2023 (dark-side and in-side mixes)
Genre:
Studio:
Length:5:13
Label:
Producer:Peter Gabriel
Prev Title:Here It Is
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:The Court
Next Year: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

Charts

Chart (2023)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[9] 45
US Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[10] 12

Notes and References

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

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