Mystery Jets Return with Haunting New Single ‘Black Sage’—A Psychedelic Revival After Six Years of Silence

May 13, 2026 — London-based psych-rock band Mystery Jets has emerged from a six-year hiatus with their most ambitious single yet, ‘Black Sage’, a hypnotic, feedback-drenched anthem that blends indigenous symbolism with raw emotional catharsis. Produced by Leo Abrahams (known for collaborations with Brian Eno and Frightened Rabbit), the track marks a deliberate shift in the band’s creative direction—one rooted in improvisation, collective creation, and a meditation on healing through suffering.

Frontman Blaine Harrison describes the song’s origins as a “patchwork of extended jam sessions,” where the band looped ideas until they reached a “hypnotic flow state.” The result is a sonic experience that feels both timeless and urgently modern, with lyrics that reinterpret the spiritual significance of black sage—a plant traditionally used in Indigenous smudging ceremonies to “clear away negative energies.”

“For centuries, black sage has been used by indigenous communities to cleanse spaces,” Harrison explains. “But what if we are the vessels for those energies? What if the ghosts from our pasts have been living inside us all along?” The question lingers over the song’s pulsating, dissonant chorus, where Harrison’s vocals weave through layers of distorted guitar and rhythmic percussion. The track’s title track is now available via Fiction Records, accompanied by a live performance filmed at the James Turrell Skyspace in Cornwall, a setting that amplifies its meditative intensity.

— ### **A New Era for Mystery Jets: From Protest Anthems to Psychedelic Introspection** Mystery Jets’ return arrives at a pivotal moment in their 15-year career. Their last studio album, ‘A Billion Heartbeats’ (2020), was a critical and commercial success, praised by NME for its “wildly successful take on the world at large,” blending protest songs with celebrations of institutions like the NHS. But the band’s latest work signals a deeper, more introspective turn.

“Healing is inseparable from suffering, but there is beauty to be found in the broken,” Harrison says. “Some songs arrive all at once, but ‘Black Sage’ came together through improvisation—something we haven’t done since the band’s earliest days. We knew it had to be the first track from this new chapter.”

The shift is further underscored by the departure of bassist Jack Flanagan, who launched a solo career in 2022 with the psychedelic album ‘Rides the Sky’. While Flanagan’s work explores similar sonic territories, Mystery Jets’ new direction feels more fragmented, almost ritualistic—less about external protest and more about internal reckoning.

Yet their connection to activism remains. In 2020, the band released ‘Home Protests’, a lockdown-era covers album addressing discrimination, homelessness, and environmental destruction. “As the world ground to a halt, we continued to protest from our homes,” they stated at the time. The new single suggests that protest, for Mystery Jets, is no longer just a political act but a deeply personal one.

— ### **What’s Next for Mystery Jets?** The band’s first live performance since their hiatus comes on **July 31 at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey**, as part of The Maccabees’ indie-heavy festival lineup, alongside Maximo Park and Everything Everything. While no new album has been announced, Harrison’s emphasis on “this new chapter” hints at a broader project in the works—one that may further explore the themes of duality, healing, and the “cracks that allow light through.”

For now, ‘Black Sage’ stands as both a sonic and philosophical statement—a reminder that even in silence, creation is possible.

— ### **Key Takeaways**

• New Single: ‘Black Sage’ is Mystery Jets’ first release in six years, produced by Leo Abrahams and released via Fiction Records.
• Symbolism: The track reinterprets black sage’s role in Indigenous ceremonies, framing healing as inseparable from suffering.
• Creative Process: The song emerged from extended jam sessions, a rare return to the band’s improvisational roots.
• Upcoming Show: Mystery Jets will perform live on July 31 at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, alongside Maximo Park and Everything Everything.
• Band Evolution: After protest-driven albums like ‘A Billion Heartbeats’, the new work leans into introspective, psychedelic themes.

— ### **FAQ: What You Need to Know About Mystery Jets’ Return** Q: Is ‘Black Sage’ part of a new album? A: While no album has been officially announced, the single marks the beginning of a “new chapter” for the band, suggesting a broader project is in development. Q: Why is black sage significant in the song? A: Harrison draws on the plant’s use in Indigenous smudging rituals, framing it as a metaphor for confronting internal “ghosts” and finding beauty in brokenness. Q: What happened to bassist Jack Flanagan? A: Flanagan left Mystery Jets in 2022 to pursue a solo career, releasing the psychedelic album ‘Rides the Sky’. His departure coincides with the band’s creative shift. Q: Will Mystery Jets tour? A: Their first confirmed live appearance is at Kirkstall Abbey on July 31, though no full tour has been announced. Q: How does ‘Black Sage’ compare to their previous work? A: While earlier albums like ‘A Billion Heartbeats’ focused on external protests, ‘Black Sage’ delves into personal introspection, using psychedelic textures and lyrical symbolism to explore healing. —