"The Hawk Is Howling" is the sixth studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 22 September 2008 through Wall of Sound, Play It Again Sam, and Matador in the UK, Europe, and the US, respectively. It was also released in Australia by Spunk Records on 27 September 2008.
This album marks Mogwai's first collection of exclusively instrumental tracks, as their earlier works featured vocals in some form. The album reached number 35 on the UK Album Charts and peaked at 97 on the Billboard 200.
The Hawk Is Howling was recorded and produced by Andy Miller at Chem19 Studios in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, and mixed by Gareth Jones at Castle of Doom Studios in Glasgow between September 2007 and March 2008. This marked a reunion for the band and Miller, their first collaboration in a decade, following their work on the 1998 EP No Education = No Future (Fuck the Curfew).
Several tracks, including "The Precipice," "I Love You, I'm Going to Blow Up Your School," "I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead," "Thank You Space Expert," "Batcat," and "Scotland's Shame," were debuted at a show during the Triptych Festival in Glasgow in April 2008.
In 2012, the album received a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, indicating sales of at least 75,000 copies across Europe.
