November 15, 2025
Tortoise returns with Touch and announces UK tour
Chicago's experimental group Tortoise has finally published their historic album _Touch_ on streaming services, marking the end of almost ten years without new studio work. The band presents a new chapter of their genre-defying style with the album, which was previously released on vinyl and as a download. Established in the early 1990s and based on teamwork and improvisation, the five-piece has remained relevant by changing rather than staying the same.
I appreciate that you've been skirting around the concept of 'genre,'... If you overlook the historic meaning of the term, we're progressive, but not progressive jazz or progressive rock. We're not really anything.
Trivia
Tortoise is widely credited as one of the fundamental bands that helped define a genre of music characterized by its instrumental focus, incorporation of non-rock elements (like jazz, dub, and electronics), and use of collage-like studio techniques. What is this genre, often associated with the 1990s Chicago music scene, known as?
We will be hanging out at Rough Trade NYC
The album and its journey
_Touch_ is the band's first new studio album since _The Catastrophist (2016)_, and it was released through International Anthem and Nonesuch Records. Dan Bitney, John Herndon, Douglas McCombs, John McEntire, and Jeff Parker co-wrote and played all ten songs, resulting in a sound that reflects both their lengthy history and new creative ground. The album was recorded in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland to accommodate the band's geographical spread, and the sessions provided depth to the finished product.
From "Vexations" to "Night Gang," listeners are guided through cinematic panoramas, motorik rhythms, and electronic soundscapes that are unmistakably Tortoise even as they push into the unknown.
From "Vexations" to "Night Gang," listeners are guided through cinematic panoramas, motorik rhythms, and electronic soundscapes that are unmistakably Tortoise even as they push into the unknown.
New album available in stores on October 24th 2025, listen + preorder it TODAY: https://tortoise.lnk.to/Touch.
A tour to match the moment
To coincide with the album's streaming release, the band has arranged crucial UK performances that will allow fans to hear the new songs live. Performances are scheduled for November 22 at London's Barbican, November 23 at Bristol's Prospect Building, and November 24 at Leeds' Irish Centre. These gigs mark the start of a bigger North American and European tour that will last until April 2026, giving fans the chance to see the band reimagine the album in real time.
For American fans who have followed Tortoise's career, the release of _Touch_ and its live extension provides both closure and new possibilities in one creative sweep, inspiring curiosity, wonder, and renewed excitement.
For American fans who have followed Tortoise's career, the release of _Touch_ and its live extension provides both closure and new possibilities in one creative sweep, inspiring curiosity, wonder, and renewed excitement.
Key Takeaways
Chicago's experimental group Tortoise has released their new album 'Touch' after almost a decade, marking a significant return and announcing a UK tour.
- Tortoise's new album 'Touch' is their first release in nearly a decade and showcases their continued evolution while maintaining their signature sound.
- The band has arranged several key performances in the UK, including shows in London, Bristol, and Leeds, to coincide with the album's streaming release.
- The album and tour signify both closure and new possibilities for fans, offering a blend of nostalgia and excitement for Tortoise's creative journey.