Sha-La Music announces the worldwide release of the new Mystic Highway Road Trip EP by US Roots Rocker DownTown Mystic, set for July 10, 2026, via The Orchard/Sony Music. The EP arrives just in time for summer road trips and will be released to US College Radio on July 21, with Brandon Day/Tinderbox Music handling radio promotion.
The Mystic Highway Road Trip EP contains six songs described as modern day rockers filled with positive vibes and energy. Tracks like "Live" (featuring harpmeister Jerry Fierro) and "Losing My Mind" (featuring guitar virtuoso Lance Doss) bring a message of hope in turbulent times. The songs are bolstered by the same musicians who played on last year's Mystic Highway EP—drummer Steve Holley (Paul McCartney, Elton John) and bassist Paul Page (Ian Hunter, Dion). Also included is the previously unreleased unedited version of "Somebody's Always Doin' Something 2 Somebody (Uncut Mix)", featuring keyboard wiz Jeff Levine on piano and B-3 organ.
The EP was recorded at Shorefire Studios in W. Long Branch, NJ under Joe DeMaio, who engineered and added guitar solos for "Superstar" and "Shadow Walk." Mastering was done by Leon Zervos (Crowded House, Maroon 5, Pink) at Studios 301 in Australia. DownTown Mystic writer/producer Robert Allen explains the inspiration: "There are so many talented reviewers out there who write with such cool insights. I kept seeing reviews saying that Mystic Highway was a great soundtrack for a road trip, which I never thought about. It got me thinking, why not a summer road trip release?"
DownTown Mystic is coming off the success of the On E Street Remix EP, featuring Rock'n'Roll Hall of Famers Max Weinberg and Garry Tallent from the E Street Band. Released in April, that EP featured remixed songs recorded in the 80s alongside Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA album. Allen comments, "Even though the remixes were of older material, the reviewers pointed out that I'm making rock music for today. Thanks to them, it seemed like the perfect time to segue from the past to the present."
Critics have praised DownTown Mystic's work. The Big Takeover notes, "It's the sound of rock-and-roll tradition moving with the times. It's a showcase of everything that made the genre so popular, proving that it still counts." JamSphere Magazine adds, "The band's infectious unmistakable vibe, wrapped up with ace musicianship, topped with great songwriting, and delivered with powerful, heartfelt vocals." Rattler Magazine states, "It's not just about recapturing a sound; it's about reaffirming what makes it endure."
DownTown Mystic is considered one of the top sync-licensed artists in Rock, with music featured in over 250 TV shows and films. The new EP showcases those talents. Listen to the EP at https://tinyurl.com/525mrh6d and watch videos for "Superstar" and "Shadow Walk". For more information, visit DownTown Mystic's website.
