The Mystery Lights Return With an LP of Psych-Punk Pleasure

THE MYSTERY LIGHTS RETURN WITH A "PURGATORY" OF PSYCH-PUNK PLEASURE PURGATORY LP OUT SEPTEMBER 13 VIA DAPTONE/WICK RECORDS WATCH THE LYSERGIC MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE TITLE TRACK, OUT TODAY, HERE

Photo by Julia Khoroshilov PRAISE FOR THE MYSTERY LIGHTS “Vintage hit-writing techniques, powerhouse performances.” Pitchfork “The Mystery Lights are as good as it gets, one of New York’s finest garage rock bands.” NME “This New York based five piece have got the blues, the soul and a whole loada funk in their scorching interpretation of garage/psychedelic rock.” The Line of Best Fit “TML are full speed ahead and have their rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle perfected.” Alt Citizen

Today, The Mystery Lights — the Daptone/Wick Records’ five piece that’s been crowned as “one of New York’s finest garage rock bands” (NME) — announce their third studio record Purgatory, set for release on September 13. As The Mystery Lights make their way back from some well-earned rest and relaxation, Purgatory is their most ambitious offering yet as they deliver an eclectic mix of psychedelia, punk, art rock, and surprisingly even a splash of country — all with Wayne Gordon (Kali Uchis, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, BADBADNOTGOOD) back in the producer’s chair. Preorder Purgatory here. Though Purgatory sees The Mystery Lights playing their hand at some genre-fluidity (from the punk-meets-psych title track, to The Kinks-esque earworm “Sorry I Forgot Your Name”), there’s a cohesiveness threaded by the elevated musicianship, earnest lyrics, and attention to detail that make for a fiercely raw, unabashedly catchy album.  Accompanying today’s announcement is the album’s first single and title track “Purgatory,” seeing a dark guitar-driven sound surging with psychedelic mayhem a la The 13th Floor Elevators, though punked-up and tongue-in-cheek enough to summon hints of The Monks. In the music video for “Purgatory,” also out today, the band take the track’s lysergic energy into visual form as they wander through NYC and slowly but surely each turn into their own devilish alter-ego. Listen to “Purgatory” here.   Watch the music video for “Purgatory,” directed by the band’s LA Solano and Lily Rogers, here. The Mystery Lights story begins in 2004 in the small town of Salinas, California when friends Michael Brandon and Luis Alfonso — whose shared fondness for groups like The Mc5, Velvet Underground, Dead Moon, and The Fall (to name a few) — joined forces to craft their own brand of unhinged rock and roll. From there they spent the better part of 10 years touring relentlessly before migrating to Queens, New York in 2014. With a live show known for its visceral energy and relentless assault — leaving little to no stoppage between songs — they barreled through countless NYC haunts and DIY venues, quickly amassing a fervent local following. The buzz soon caught the attention of Daptone Records execs who were in the beginning stages of launching a new rock-centric imprint, Wick Records. Impressed by the groups’ groove, endless supply of energy, and understanding of musical history, The Mystery Lights were quickly signed to Wick. Though a rock band at heart, the parallels to what Daptone Records had traditionally looked for in their soul artists was undeniable. The band is headed back on tour this fall, see all dates below to catch one of their viscerally psychedelic live shows. The Mystery Lights are: Mike Brandon (lead vocals / guitar), LA Solano (lead guitar), Alex Amini (bass), Lily Rogers (keys), and Zach Butler (drums).   "Purgatory" is out now, buy/stream it here. Purgatory LP is out September 13, preorder it here. TRACKLIST Mighty Fine & All Mine Memories Purgatory In The Streets Together Lost Trouble Sorry I Forgot Your Name  Can’t Sleep Through The Silence  Cerebral Crack  Automatic Response Don’t Want No Don’t Need No Snuck Out  LIVE DATES US 7/25/2024 - Brooklyn, NY - Xanadu 8/15/2024 - Sudbury, ON - Up Here Festival 10/31/2024 - Maspeth, NY - Knockdown Center 11/9/2024 - Seattle, WA - Freakout! Festival 11/10/2024 - Portland, OR - Polaris Hall 11/12/2024 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone 11/13/2024 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Atrium at the Catalyst 11/14/2024 - Los Angeles, CA - Zebulon 11/15/2024 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar 11/17/2024 - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress 11/19/2024 - Las Vegas, NV - The Usual Place 11/20/2024 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge 11/21/2024 - Boise, ID - Shrine Social Club EU/UK 9/29/2024 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 2025 9/30/2024 - Brighton, UK - The Hope & Ruin 10/1/2024 - London, UK - Jazz Cafe 10/3/2024 - Brussels, Belgium - Le Botanique 10/4/2024 - Breda, Netherlands - Mezz @ Pier15 10/5/2024 - Lille, France - L’Aeronef 10/6/2024 - Tours, France - Le Bateau Ivre 10/7/2024 - Bordeaux, France - La Maison d’Allez Les Filles 10/8/2024 - Rouen, France - Le 106 Club 10/9/2024 - Poitiers, France - Le Confort Moderne 10/11/2024 - La Rochelle, France - La Sirene Club 10/13/2024 - Paris, France - Le Cafe de la Danse 10/15/2024 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Club 10/16/2024 - Fribourg, Switzerland - Le Nouveau Monde 10/17/2024 - St. Gallen, Switzerland - Palace 10/18/2024 - Basel, Switzerland - Sudhaus 10/20/2024 - Dresden, Germany - Ostpol 10/21/2024 - Berlin, Germany - Neue Zukunft 10/23/2024 - Köln, Germany - Bumann & Sohn 10/24/2024 - Bruges, Belgium - Cactus Club 10/25/2024 - Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliVredenburg Stay connected with The Mystery Lights: Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Twitter