For over a decade, the electronic music community has asked the same question: Where is Pretty Lights? Following the release of 2013’s Grammy-nominated masterpiece A Color Map of the Sun, Derek Vincent Smith essentially vanished from the studio radar. While many golden era EDM DJs shifted into pop crossovers or commercial residencies, the pioneer of electro-soul took an indefinite hiatus to focus on his personal life, spiritual growth, and raising his son, Ayahn.
But in the first week of July 2026, news of Pretty Lights’ return spread after a 13-year silence finally broke.
In a staggering announcement that crashed message boards across the internet, Pretty Lights confirmed the release of his highly anticipated new album, A Trip Thru Time Fantastic. This is not just a standard EP release; it is a sprawling, 45-track cinematic universe that is set to redefine the live electronic space in 2026 completely.
The 45-Track “Constellation” Release Strategy
Rather than dropping the entire project at once, Derek Vincent Smith is utilizing a highly conceptual release strategy. The 45-track album is divided into nine separate “constellations,” with each constellation containing five tracks.
The first 15 tracks (Constellations 1, 2, and 3) were released on July 2, 2026, directly to fans via the official Pretty Lights website. The remaining 30 tracks will be released steadily over the coming months, culminating on November 25, 2026—which happens to be Smith’s 45th birthday.
The sound is a masterful evolution of the sample-heavy, crate-digging aesthetic that made him a legend. To fully appreciate the intricate layers of warm bass, analog synths, and live instrumentation on this record, listeners are highly advised to experience the tracks on proper audiophile elite speaker systems.
The Return of the Live AV Ensemble
The magic of Pretty Lights has never been confined to studio recordings. For A Trip Thru Time Fantastic, Smith has officially reunited with his “eternal soul brother,” Michal Menert, to form a massive live Audio-Visual (AV) ensemble.
This isn’t a standard DJ set. The new Pretty Lights live show is described as a “traveling laboratory,” heavily focused on live improvisation, analog synthesizers, and expressive flow-state jamming. The ambition of this setup mirrors the raw, unfiltered energy of the rising underground DJs who are currently pushing back against pre-recorded, algorithm-friendly mainstage performances.
According to initial reports from JamBase, several tracks from the first three constellations have already been road-tested and seamlessly woven into recent live performances, creating a deeply hypnotic experience for the crowd.
The 2026 Soundship Space Bus Tour
To support the massive 45-track release, Pretty Lights has announced The Fantastic Pretty Lights aboard the Soundship Space Bus Tour. The highly anticipated 2026 run will feature a mix of major festival appearances and exclusive, multi-night theater residencies.
Key 2026 Tour Dates Include:
- August 21–23: The Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, NY)
- September 4–6: Secret Dreams Festival (Marengo, OH)
- October 22–25: Suwannee Hulaween (Live Oak, FL)
- November 6–8: The Fillmore (New Orleans, LA)
- November 19–21: Fox Theater (Oakland, CA)
If you are planning to follow the cosmic caravan across the country this fall, be sure to reference our VIP festival guide to maximize your travel logistics.
After 13 years of waiting, the PLF (Pretty Lights Family) has finally been rewarded. The king of electro-soul is back, the aesthetic is flawless, and the 2026 tour is guaranteed to be one of the most culturally significant live music events of the decade. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.
FAQ
What is Pretty Lights’ net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Derek Vincent Smith (Pretty Lights) has an estimated net worth of roughly $8 million to $10 million. While he operates outside the commercial pop-crossover space that dominates the DJ rich list, his wealth stems from massive, sold-out independent tours, highly successful festival headlining fees, and his pioneering independent record label, Pretty Lights Music.
What is the name of the new Pretty Lights album?
The new album is titled A Trip Thru Time Fantastic. It is his first full-length studio release since A Color Map of the Sun in 2013, ending a 13-year album hiatus.
How many songs are on the new Pretty Lights album?
A Trip Thru Time Fantastic features a massive tracklist of 45 songs. The album is being released in nine parts, referred to as “constellations,” with five songs included in each drop leading up to November 2026.
Who is touring with Pretty Lights in 2026?
The 2026 Soundship Space Bus Tour features a fully integrated live AV ensemble. Notably, the tour marks the official reunion of Derek Vincent Smith and original Pretty Lights co-founder Michal Menert, alongside a highly talented crew of live instrumentalists and visual artists.
Sahil Chopra is a digital media specialist and the Managing Editor of Hercules & Love Affair. Backed by a formal diploma in Film & Television Direction from the Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) and a degree in Business Management, Sahil combines his artistic vision with over four years of digital publishing expertise. He specializes in tracking the exact intersection where underground club culture meets high-end luxury lifestyle. Having closely followed the global electronic music scene from its early blog-era roots, Sahil now leads the editorial vision for the platform—curating everything from breaking entertainment news and VIP festival guides to exclusive looks inside celebrity culture. When he isn’t steering the newsroom, he is hunting down rare vinyl records and keeping a close eye on global fashion weeks.