Tortoise Details 1st New Album Since 2016 ‘Touch’ & Shares ‘Layered Presence’ Single

Tortoise will release Touch, their first new album since 2016, in physical and digital download formats on October 24 and on streaming platforms on November 11. The post-rock veterans shared the album’s latest single, “Layered Presence,” and confirmed 2026 European Tour dates.

The 10-track Touch includes the previously shared single, “Oganesson.” Tortoise — Dan Bitney, John Herndon, Douglas McCombs, John McEntire and Jeff Parker — crafted their first album in nearly a decade during sessions held at Flora Recording and Playback in Portland, 64 Sound in Los Angeles and at Electrical Audio in their hometown of Chicago.

The recording of the song “Promenade à deux” was augmented by Marta Sofia Honer on viola and Skip VonKuske on cello. Tortoise, who formed in Chicago in 1990, will perform a series a previously announced special concerts in October and November, including with the Chicago Philharmonic in Chicago on November 11.

Watch the Mikel Patrick Avery-directed “Layered Presence” video:

Touch Tracklist

1. Vexations
2. Layered Presence
3. Works and Days
4. Elka
5. Promenade à deux
6. Axial Seamount
7. A Title Comes
8. Rated OG
9. Oganesson
10. Night Gang

Tortoise will tour Europe over two separate legs early next year. The band will head overseas in January 2026 to perform in Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy. Tortoise will then spend April 2026 touring Europe with additional shows in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal. Tickets are on sale for all of the band’s upcoming tour dates via the links below.