"Panopticom" is written and produced by Gabriel, and was recorded between his Real World Studios in Wiltshire and The Beehive in London. The track features contributions from Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché, as well as electronics from Brian Eno, and additional backing vocals from Ríoghnach Connolly of The Breath.

"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"," Gabriel explains. "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."

The new song will feature on i/o, Gabriel's first album of all new music since 2002's Up. Since Up, Gabriel did release the cover album Scratch My Back in 2010, and an album of orchestral reworks titled New Blood in 2011.

Today's release of "Panopticom" coincides with the full moon, and Gabriel will continue to use the lunar phases throughout the year, with a new song being revealed each full moon.

He says, "Some of what I’m writing about this time is the idea that we seem incredibly capable of destroying the planet that gave us birth and that unless we find ways to reconnect ourselves to nature and to the natural world we are going to lose a lot. A simple way of thinking about where we fit in to all of this is looking up at the sky… and the moon has always drawn me to it."