Album Review: Tortoise - "Touch"

Touch is a dreamlike nocturnal state of wonder and charm, where the band still seem to enjoy tinkering and playing with their sound. Though recorded remotely, Tortoise's collaborative strengths pull together so mesmerizingly that you wouldn't even notice.

Nonesuch - 2025

Tortoise are the seminal Chicago-based post rock five piece who have been at it since the early 90's. If you think of the post rock genre and movement coming out of Chicago notably during the 90's, Tortoise are one of the first if not the first to popularize it. They've released acclaimed classics like TNT and Millions Now Living Will Never Die. They've pushed the envelope on what rock music can really be with their jazz, electronic, and krautrock backings. They've acted as a supergroup of sorts, where each member has attributed to so many great projects, whether it's John McEntire with The Sea and Cake and Stereolab, Doug McCombs with Brokeback and Pullman, or Jeff Parker with the experimental jazz scene. They haven't been as proactive with their releases as a group over the past decade, with 2016's The Catastrophist being their latest record.

Now they've finally come out of the woodwork with a new album and there's a few differences to come out of it. For starters, this is their first album recorded remotely. Since the members are in different places geographically, it would've been proven difficult to come together and record in person. Given the group have never done this separately for a Tortoise album, this sounds like it would be a difficult process but they've stated it's one of their most creative endeavors yet. Another sea change for the group is that the new album is their first that's not on Chicago's Thrill Jockey label. Instead, it's through Chicago's International Anthem and Nonesuch. All of this leads us to Touch, the band's eighth studio album. After nine years since The Catastrophist, Touch sounds like the band never truly left. There are the tried and true blends of art rock, post rock, electronica, and jazz that we all know and love from Tortoise. Entirely instrumental, Touch is a dreamlike nocturnal state of wonder and charm, where the band still seem to enjoy tinkering and playing with their sound. Though recorded remotely, Tortoise's collaborative strengths pull together so mesmerizingly that you wouldn't even notice.

There are the lively, thrilling jams, like the heavy "Layered Presence" that murk and cover you like a trippy lullaby. Jeff Parker's sharp, thrilling guitar shredding towards the back end is a delight. "Vexations" is a fiery highlight that triumphantly blends together all of the member's strengths into one noisy hurricane of bliss. "Works and Days" has a lovely progression and balance to it, with some buzzing synths and sharp guitar in the mix. "Elka" is an electronic journey that harks back to McEntire's electronic collaborations with his Sea and Cake bandmate Sam Prekop. "Promenade à deux" brings in lush strings, making it cinematically rich and beautiful. "A Title Comes" is equally as cinematic and gorgeous, making it a pretty highlight reminiscent of Tortoise's great guitar work. "Organesson," a previous teaser, is a trip hop influenced banger with colorful percussion and whimsical notes. "Night Gang" closes the album with a dreamy, midnight rendition of an imaginary Beach Boys classic.

Touch is a bit low key, moody, and dark, similar to some of Tortoise's more recent works, like The Catastrophist. They seem to continue playing and collaborating at a high level, to that of a band who've performed with each other for over 30 years. Remote or in person, Tortoise know how to craft post rock gems and know exactly what to do with their strengths. Though their best showcase is within a live setting (which I have yet to see), the band's studio output goes unmatched, having crafted excellent album after excellent album. Touch is a great added bonus to the band's rock solid discography. Though not essential, Touch is a solid album that highlights what makes the band so great, still to this day. It may not be 1998 anymore, but Tortoise sure knows how to adapt and keep things interesting and above all, fun.

My Rating: 8 / 10

Favorite Songs: "Vexations," "Layered Presence," "Organesson," "Works and Days," "Night Gang," "A Title Comes"