Purity Ring announce self-titled album and North American tour

After several years of quietly evolving their sound, electronic pop duo Purity Ring are back with a self-titled album and a new tour. Vocalist and lyricist Megan James (mj) and producer Corin Roddick will release their fourth studio album, Purity Ring, on September 26 via their own label, The Fellowship.

The album marks a shift in direction for the duo, who are best known for their dark, otherworldly lyrics and shimmering electronic production. This time around, they’re leaning into a more conceptual approach inspired by role-playing video games like “Nier: Automata” and “Final Fantasy X”. The result is a record built around a fictional storyline, blending fantasy elements with personal themes.

Alongside the announcement, the band released the first single from the album, “place of my own.” The track stays true to the dreamy, synth-heavy sound they’re known for, while the lyrics explore themes of solitude and escapism. “All I want is a place of my own / some way to be alone,” James sings, before the song moves into surreal, imagined landscapes: “come find me where the ocean’s gleaming off the sky / come find me where the cliffside calls.”

The album’s 13-track listing includes songs like “many lives,” “mj odyssey,” and a closing track titled “glacier ::in memory of rs::,” which hints at the more emotional core of the record. Visuals for the album come from longtime collaborator Mike Sunday, whose artwork adds to the dreamlike tone of the project.

To support the release, Purity Ring will hit the road this fall on a 23-date North American tour, starting October 13 in Ventura, CA, and stopping in cities like Chicago, Brooklyn, Atlanta and Los Angeles, where the tour will wrap on November 12.

“Each album gives us a chance to build a unique and immersive visual show,” the band shared. “This time we’re working on what might be our most ambitious stage design yet.”

Known for pairing their music with striking visuals and carefully designed stage setups, Purity Ring’s live shows have become just as much about the atmosphere as the performance itself. With a new concept album to work from, fans can expect a fresh and fully realized experience.