Pretty Lights — aka Derek Vincent Smith — has been one of the most consistent instrumental producers of the last half decade. With a complex layered approach that’s more DJ Shadow than cornball EDM mainstage, the Denver producer is one of the few talents that has flavorfully blended the world of hip-hop beats with electronic textures. It’s a good reason why over 18 million of his albums have been downloaded since 2006, a fairly remarkable feat. We posted the last Pretty Lights album here, Glowing In The Darkest Night, nearly three years ago — and today Smith drops his latest, A Color Map of the Sun. The double-disc effort features one album of tracks assembled via vinyl pressings of live riffs he’d written and recorded, while the second disc features the recordings themselves. Consider it the finished tiramisu on one plate and the raw ingredients on the other… even tho many prefer the plate of raw eggs and brown sugar more. A Color Map of the Sun is the first Pretty Lights album which Smith will release both physically and digitally at the same time, as a double-disc CD, on vinyl and via iTunes, Beatport, Amazon et al. Of course you can always get the album for free over HERE. During the recording of the album a documentary was also made to illuminate Pretty Lights’ recording process, the half-hour piece which can be seen below. A full fall North American headline tour is in the works, launching on October 10 – preliminary locations are set plus six “surprise performances” will be revealed shortly as well as the venue for a three-night stand in Chicago, IL. Enjoy the music…

“The Making of Pretty Lights’ New Album” documentary, “Around the Block” stream below, and full list of available Fall Tour Dates after the Jump…

Pretty Lights Upcoming Fall Tour Dates

7/3 – Boston, MA @ Ocean Club
7/6 – Calgary, AB @ Badlands: Stampede Music Festival
7/20 – Thornville, OH @ All Good Music Festival
8/3 – Toronto, ON @ VELD Music Festival
8/4 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
8/9 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands 2013
8/10 – Squamish, BC @ Squamish Festival
8/16 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8/17 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
10/4-5 – New York, NY @ Rock the Bells
*10/10 – Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
*10/11 – St. Louis, MO @ Chaifetz Arena
*10/12 – Nashville, TN @ Greer Stadium
*10/13 – SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
*10/16 – Auburn, AL @ Outdoor Arena
*10/18 – SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
*10/19 – SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
*10/22 – Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
*10/23 – SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
*10/24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
*10/25 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
10/26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Life is Beautiful Festival
10/27 – Asheville, NC @ Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit
*10/29 – SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
*10/30 – Amherst, MA @ Mullins Center
*10/31 – Albany, NY @ Times Union Arena
*11/1 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
*11/2 – Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre
*11/3 – SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
*11/7 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple
*11/8 – Chicago, IL @ To Be Announced
*11/9 – Chicago, IL @ To Be Announced
*11/10 – Chicago, IL @ To Be Announced
*11/13 – Louisville, KY @ Palace Theatre
*11/14 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
**11/15 – Lincoln, NE @ Pershing Center
*11/16 – St. Paul, MN @ Myth
*11/17 – Fargo, ND @ Concert Hall at The Venue
*11/20 – Missoula, MT @ Adams Center
*11/21 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
*11/22 – Seattle, WA @ Showare Center
*11/23 – Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum
*11/27 – Reno, NV @ Summit Pavilion

* Ticket pre-sale begins July 9 at prettylightsmusic.com.