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).

LIVE DATES
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