The Mars Volta returned on June 21, 2022, with Blacklight Shine, their first new song in 10 years. The single came with a short film and ended a long hiatus.

The group formed by Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López had not released new material since 2012's Noctourniquet. The return also brought a North American tour for the second half of 2022.

The sound of Blacklight Shine surprised some fans by leaning on a softer, Latin-influenced groove instead of the dense progressive rock of earlier records. The band later confirmed a self-titled album, released in September.

The reunion was received as one of the most anticipated comebacks in alternative rock and marked the duo's return to the stage after years of solo projects.