Peter Gabriel is widely known for two things — fronting the better version of prog icons Genesis, and ’80s hit “Sledgehammer.”
Actually, though, that’s a tad reductive for a man who has always been forward-thinking, and his new album, i/o, is typically inventive.
Discussing his new single, “This is Home,” Gabriel said, “It began with inspiration from some of the great Tamla Motown rhythm sections so we’re trying to recreate that in a modern way, complete with the tambourine and handclaps. The groove I like a lot, Tony Levin does a great bass part there.” He added, “I did an unusual thing for me in that I tried doing this low voice / high voice thing, so you get this almost conversational voice at the beginning and the second part is a higher, more emotional voice. I thought that would be both intimate and emotive to put the two side by side.”