Black Eyes remains one of the most remarkable bands on the equally remarkable Dischord label, surrounded by kindred acts like Lungfish and Q and Not U. During their brief initial run, they released two stunning albums – their self-titled 2003 debut and Cough the following year – just as they were disbanding. I was fortunate enough to witness their ecstatic, heavily rhythmic live performance/jam session back then, with two drummers and bass players, saxophone, lots of screaming and dancing. It was all chaos and ecstasy, and I still revisit both records to relive the energy.

Fast forward to 2025, and Black Eyes have stirred back to life. Their first new album in over two decades, Hostile Design, proves that not only have they aged well, it’s as if they never aged at all. The record brims with the same musical curiosity, propulsive rhythms and ferocious energy that once defined them, weaving together angular post-punk, dub, jazz and noise rock with effortless precision. “TomTom,” the album’s closing track, distills all these elements into one exhilarating piece, throwing us twenty years back while simultaneously propelling us forward. God how I have missed them, and man I’m glad they’re back.

Originally published on tidal.com/magazine October 10, 2025