More than 20 years after recording their last record, Cough, Black Eyes returns with Hostile Design (Dischord). The album features six all-new songs, written directly in the wake of the band’s April 2023 reunion shows. Today, listen to the album’s closing dub track, “Tomtom.”

Hostile Design was recorded at Tonal Park studios over three days, with Ian MacKaye resuming his role as producer and Don Godwin engineering. The instrumentation returns to Cough‘s two drums, bass, guitar, and sax lineup, but adds some fresh elements. Live multichannel dubbing, now a standard of their shows, has been integrated into the performances, as have electronic drum triggers and samples, as well as the occasional bass clarinet passage.

In the years since their initial dissolution, each member has pursued their own creative paths, including drone rock, avant techno, ambient, sonic collage, visual art, video work, and more. In coming back together, the breadth of their collective practices is all integrated into the music.

In celebration of the album’s release, Black Eyes have organized Speaking In Tongues Festival, a four-night series of events that builds off the community-focused approach of their 2023 zine of the same name. Inspired by the lineups from their first twelve shows between April 2023- March 2024, Speaking In Tongues invites many of those same artists – including Pissed Jeans, Luke Stewart, and TALsounds – as well as longtime friends and collaborators, including More Eaze and Dolo Percussion. The members’ solo projects, Earthen Sea and Relaxer, will also join the lineups. 

BLACK EYES ON TOUR

8.23.25 – Denver, CO @ Ghost Canyon Festival
10.11.25 – Washington, D.C, @ Black Cat (Speaking in Tongues Festival)
1.16.26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
1.17.26 – San Francisco, CA @ Neck of the Woods w/ the Intima + Vulture Feathe
1.18.26 – Berkeley, CA – 924 Gilman Street w/ the Intima + Planet on a Chain
3.26.26 – Providence, RI @ AS220 w/ Downtown Boys
3.27.26 – Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Fairmount
3.28.26 – Toronto, ON @ Lithuanian House
3.29.26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
4.11.26: Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall