"Peter Gabriel," the third solo studio album by the English rock musician, was released on May 30, 1980, under Charisma Records. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, it's hailed as Gabriel's artistic breakthrough, solidifying his reputation as one of rock's most innovative musicians. Departing from conventional rock norms, Gabriel delves into post-punk and new wave territories infused with an art rock flair, building on the experimental groundwork of his preceding self-titled album.
The album takes on a more overtly political stance, with tracks like "Games Without Frontiers," a No. 4 hit in the UK, addressing themes of war, and "Biko," a poignant anti-apartheid protest song honoring the memory of activist Steve Biko. Notably, the album's cover photograph by Hipgnosis has led to its colloquial title "Melt," and some streaming services refer to it as "Peter Gabriel 3: Melt."
Gabriel's exploration of diverse musical styles and substantive themes cemented his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist, making this album a pivotal moment in his solo career and a lasting influence in the rock genre.
