Peter Gabriel has released “What Lies Ahead,” the third preview from his forthcoming album o/i. The track arrives in its Bright-Side Mix, crafted by Mark “Spike” Stent, with a Dark-Side Mix of “Put the Bucket Down” by Tchad Blake set to follow.
Opening with hushed choral voices, “What Lies Ahead” unfolds gradually into a contemplative, string-laden piece that feels both intimate and expansive. Gabriel first introduced the song instrumentally during his “Back to Front” tour, performing it as a work in progress without lyrics. Its foundation came from a melody created by his son Isaac. Gabriel later expanded that idea, incorporating contributions from Swedish artists Jennie Abrahamson and cellist Linnea Olsson, whose earlier live cello line made its way onto the finished recording. Orchestral textures were added in 2022 by longtime collaborator John Metcalfe.
A key element of the track is the Swedish male choir Orphei Drängar, whose powerful harmonies set the tone from the outset — an idea encouraged by Brian Eno. Gabriel explained his thinking behind the choice: “I’ve always liked spiritual, inspirational music because sometimes people get to a different place when they remove themselves and are just present with this feeling of something else out there. Although I’m not religious myself, I definitely have the feeling for it and that’s what I was hoping we would have with the choir at the front, that you go straight away into this other world.”
The full details of o/i are still to come; the album follows 2023’s i/o, Gabriel’s first studio release in over a decade.
Stream “What Lies Ahead” – HERE.
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