Peter Gabriel has released the second new single from his forthcoming album o\i, continuing his lunar-cycle rollout strategy with the Bright-Side Mix of “Put the Bucket Down” arriving on February 1, 2026, under the snow full moon. The track follows the early-January release of “Been Undone” and highlights Gabriel’s ongoing creative momentum as he builds toward the full album launch later this year.
Like his previous album i/o, Gabriel is unveiling songs tied to the phases of the moon — with each track featuring both Bright-Side and Dark-Side mixes produced by Mark “Spike” Stent and Tchad Blake, respectively. The dark-side version of “Put the Bucket Down” is scheduled for release on the next new moon, adding a complementary atmospherics-driven perspective on the same composition.
A Song About the Mind — and Letting Go
Gabriel wrote and produced “Put the Bucket Down”, framing it as part of an extended artistic narrative that draws on themes of consciousness and mental clutter. “The ‘bucket’ is all the crap that goes around our head all the time, so it is putting the bucket down to find your way forward,” Gabriel explains, describing a protagonist unsure whether the thoughts they are experiencing belong entirely to them or have been influenced by others.
As part of that conceptual context, Gabriel says he is developing a related show with the brain as the central core, with songs on both i/o and o\i weaving into that broader narrative. “Put the Bucket Down” represents a moment where the character grapples with internal and external cognitive influence, blending introspection with surreal sonic textures.
Musically, the track juxtaposes a shuffle groove and catchy hook with layered instrumentation. Gabriel built the rhythmic framework around what he calls a “lop-sided loop,” which he and the band fleshed out in the studio. Orchestral elements and horn parts — recorded with contributions from artists such as Paolo Fresu and Josh Shpack — add nuanced color to the arrangement, which Gabriel says came together organically during sessions at Real World Studios and other locations.
Art and Collaboration
Each monthly single release for o\i is paired with unique artwork, and “Put the Bucket Down” features an image chosen by Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno titled Cosmic Spider/Web. Created with the collaborative influence of spiders and nature in mind, the piece reflects Gabriel’s interest in the relationship between neural networks, patterns, and creative expression — a visual complement to the song’s thematic exploration of cognition.
The release continues Gabriel’s tradition of blending experimental sonic ambition with narrative and visual art, a hallmark of his work since the i/o era. Fans can expect more singles tied to lunar phases throughout 2026, each offering a distinct facet of the upcoming o\i album and expanding the conceptual universe Gabriel has been building over successive projects.
