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Discover The Mystery Lights’ Genre-Bending Masterpiece: ‘Purgatory’ Out Now!

  • September 13, 2024
  • 2 min read
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Discover The Mystery Lights’ Genre-Bending Masterpiece: ‘Purgatory’ Out Now!

The Mystery Lights, the Brooklyn psych-garage quintet from Daptone/Wick Records, are back with their third studio album, Purgatory. Known for their “superior Brooklyn psych-garage” sound (as dubbed by BrooklynVegan), the band takes things to a whole new level with this release. Kicking off a US/EU/UK fall tour tonight at TV Eye in Ridgewood, Queens, with stops in cities like London, Los Angeles, Paris, and Berlin, Purgatory is sure to leave a mark on the psychedelic scene.

On Purgatory, The Mystery Lights push boundaries, blending their signature psychedelia with elements of punk, art rock, and even hints of country. Produced once again by Wayne Gordon (who has worked with Kali Uchis, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and BADBADNOTGOOD), the record is a sonic evolution for the band. As Creem Magazine puts it, “there’s something sinewy about the way the clean-shaven guitars weave in and out of the organ’s fullness, like a train gliding through the landscape, with a rhythm section that’s Zombie-graceful.”

While Purgatory experiments with genre-fluidity, the album maintains a strong sense of cohesion, grounded by elevated musicianship and raw, earnest lyricism. Tracks like the title song, a jangle-filled psych-punk anthem, draw listeners in with a dark elation, while “Sorry I Forgot Your Name” offers a Kinks-esque earworm that’s as catchy as it is timeless.

The standout track this week is “Cerebral Crack,” an eerie, shadow-lurking number that fuses the lysergic chaos of the 13th Floor Elevators with the manic energy of The Monks. Mike Brandon’s vocals, raw and urgent, ask existential questions like “how would you even know if you lost your mind?” amid swirling guitars and explosive solos. As Creem aptly notes, Brandon’s voice “reminds me of Dan Sartin… he kind of makes me want to be young again, and also cry.” Purgatory is The Mystery Lights at their most ambitious and undeniably captivating.

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Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc. In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year. In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever. In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization. 2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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