The Mystery Lights announce their third studio album Purgatory, set for release on September 13 on Wick Records. 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.
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 the 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,” 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.
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.
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