After a 13-year hiatus from studio albums, electronic visionary Pretty Lights has returned with an ambitious new project: a 45-track collection titled A Trip Thru Time Fantastic. This expansive work serves as his fifth studio effort, marking his first major release since 2013’s acclaimed A Color Map of the Sun.
The album is structured into nine distinct “constellations.” While the full project is massive in scope, the artist—born Derrick Vincent Smith—has opted for a unique rollout: the first three constellations (15 tracks total) are currently available exclusively through the official Pretty Lights website, bypassing traditional streaming platforms for the initial launch.
Reflecting on the long gap between records, Smith shared a heartfelt message with fans. He explained that after 2013, he chose to move away from the traditional album format to focus on “living creative systems” and collaborative energy. “So much music was created over the last decade with my closest collaborators,” Smith noted on social media. “It was all about experimenting with flow state transmissions and deepening my connection with the PLF [Pretty Lights Family].”
Smith’s reflection also touched on his personal evolution during this time, citing his journey into fatherhood, reconnecting with musical partner Michal Menert, and building an audiovisual ensemble. The title itself serves as a milestone, representing a collection of 45 songs curated to arrive before his 45th birthday.
This release arrives alongside a high-profile tour schedule, featuring stops at Ohio’s Secret Dreams Music Festival, his own curated Yahn Dawn festival in Buena Vista, Colorado, and an appearance at Florida’s Hulaween this October.
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