Black Eyes Return After 20 Years With New Album ‘Hostile Design’ Out 10/10 on Dischord Records

More than 20 years after recording their last record, Cough, Black Eyes returns with Hostile Design out on 10/10 via Dischord Records.. The album is comprised of six all-new songs, written directly in the wake of the band’s April 2023 reunion shows.

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 are 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.

TRACK LIST

1. Break a Leg

2. Burn

3. Under the Waves

4. Pestilence

5. Yeah, Right

6. Tomtom



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 @ TBD
3.29.26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
4.11.26: Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall