DownTown Mystic, the US roots rocker, is set to release a new EP titled Mystic Highway Road Trip on July 10 via The Orchard/Sony Music, just in time for summer journeys. The announcement comes from Sha-La Music, which handles the artist's releases. The EP will be promoted to US College Radio on July 21, with Brandon Day/Tinderbox Music managing radio promotion.
The EP contains six songs described as modern rockers filled with positive vibes and energy, a hallmark of DownTown Mystic's music. Tracks like "Live" (featuring harpmeister Jerry Fierro) and "Losing My Mind" (with guitar virtuoso Lance Doss) deliver a message of hope during turbulent times. The recordings feature the same rhythm section from 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)," which showcases keyboardist Jeff Levine on piano and B-3 organ. That track was originally edited and released as a single last fall.
The inspiration for the road trip theme came from reviewers of the Mystic Highway EP, who noted it was a great soundtrack for a road trip. Writer/producer Robert Allen, the creative force behind DownTown Mystic, explained, "There are so many talented reviewers out there who write with such cool insights that it blows my mind. 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?" The EP was recorded at Shorefire Studios in W. Long Branch, NJ, with Joe DeMaio engineering and contributing guitar solos on "Superstar" and "Shadow Walk." Mastering was handled by Leon Zervos (Crowded House, Maroon 5, Pink) at Studios 301 in Australia, who gave the tracks a special sonic boost.
DownTown Mystic is coming off the success of the On E Street Remix EP, which featured Rock'n'Roll Hall of Famers Max Weinberg and Garry Tallent from the E Street Band. Released in April, that EP included remixed songs recorded in the 1980s alongside Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA sessions. Robert commented, "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 and release some new rock'n'roll."
DownTown Mystic has been on a roll with The Wish and Mystic Highway releases in 2025 and continues in 2026 with On E Street Remix and Mystic Highway Road Trip. Considered one of the top sync-licensed artists in rock, with music featured in over 250 TV shows and films, his talents are on full display on the new EP. Reviewers have praised the music: "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," said The Big Takeover. JamSphere Magazine noted, "The band's infectious unmistakable vibe, wrapped up with ace musicianship, topped with great songwriting, and delivered with powerful, heartfelt vocals. This is the place to start for timeless rock n' roll!" Rattler Magazine added, "It's not just about recapturing a sound; it's about reaffirming what makes it endure: strong songwriting, human rhythm, and a refusal to overproduce the soul out of the music."
Listen to the EP at https://tinyurl.com/525mrh6d. More music is available on DownTown Mystic's website and YouTube channel.
