Published: September 27, 2026 · 1:52 AM EDT
The Dark-Side Mix by Tchad Blake features Tony Levin, Tom Cawley and the New Blood Orchestra, with a Bright-Side Mix still to come
Peter Gabriel has released “Face the Wall,” the tenth song unveiled from his forthcoming album o\i. Released on September 26 as part of Gabriel’s continuing lunar-cycle rollout, the track was written and produced by Gabriel, with the first available version presented as the Dark-Side Mix by Tchad Blake.
Gabriel describes “Face the Wall” as a song about confronting mortality, aging and illness rather than avoiding them. While its subject matter centers on death, he explained that the song gradually moves toward a more hopeful perspective, particularly as it reaches its closing section.
The recording features several longtime Gabriel collaborators, including Tony Levin on bass, Tom Cawley on piano and David Rhodes on electric guitar, with Manu Katché on drums. The New Blood Orchestra contributes brass and strings arranged by John Metcalfe, while Gabriel handles vocals, rhythm programming and synthesizers.
The artwork accompanying “Face the Wall” is The Nest. Amos Rex by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata, photographed by Mika Huisman. Gabriel said the installation’s image of chairs spilling over a large wall reflected the song’s confrontation with an apparently immovable barrier while retaining an element of hope.
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The Dark-Side Mix was recorded across Real World Studios in Bath, The Beehive in London and British Grove in London, with Matt Colton mastering the track at Metropolis Studios. A Bright-Side Mix by Mark “Spike” Stent is scheduled to arrive with the next new moon, while Gabriel has not yet announced full release details for o\i.
Listen to Peter Gabriel’s “Face the Wall (Dark-Side Mix)” below:
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: Tadashi Kawamata / Mika Huisman.
