Pretty Lights announces first album in over a decade

Derek Vincent Smith is bringing Pretty Lights back with 45 new tracks on his first album in over 10 years, along with a reworked, multi-city live show.

Pretty Lights is back with new music. Derek Vincent Smith announced “A Trip Thru Time Fantastic” this week, his first Pretty Lights album since 2013’s “A Color Map of the Sun.” The project spans 45 songs across nine “constellations,” with the first three out now and the rest arriving before his 45th birthday!

Smith wrote in his Instagram post that he had a change of heart about writing albums. In his announcement, he stated, “I said I didn’t want to focus on albums after ACMOTS over 10 years ago, and shifted my energy towards living creative systems & conscious cohesion via the soundship space system and the swirlbridge.” However, in that time he was inspired and continued to say, “so much music was made over those years with my bestest friends, for the purpose of swirling and experimenting with journeys into expressive flow-state transmissions & reaching new depths of connection with our beloved cosmic caravan, the PLF.” 

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Also during that time of reflection and creativity, a lot happened to him off stage. Smith built a home with his partner Meghan, found a spiritual path, reunited with longtime collaborator Michal Menert, and started a new AV ensemble. He also became a father to his son Ayahn, calling it the most beautiful experience of his life. The marriage of these moments became the “musical swirl fodder” behind the new album.

With the new album comes a new show, with the stage rebuilt into a “magic school bus,” backed by a new production team he is calling Bridge Industries. Plus new stage visuals he is keeping under wraps for now. He described Pretty Lights as flexible by design, and every show is something new. Sometimes Pretty Lights is a solo show, sometimes it is a full band, and this era sounds geared toward the latter. 15 of the new tracks are available now on his website. Welcome back, Pretty Lights!

Featured image courtesy of Pretty Lights/Facebook

About The Author

Shiv

Hey! I’m Shiv!

Music is the greatest part of my life, I remember discovering dubstep when I was 15/16 and my entire life was altered – robot noises?? I needed MORE!

Now, I live in NYC and have seen over 80 artists of all genres (I’ve lost count). Some of my faves being Odesza, Rezz, Griz, Zeds Dead, Pretty Lights, Of The Trees, Daily Bread, and Kaskade.

You can usually find me in a warehouse under a pashmina.

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