When the Lights Turn On
| When the Lights Turn On | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Standard edition cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 26, 2026 | |||
| Recorded | c. 2025-2026 | |||
| Studio | MickeyMadeIt Studio (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 28:53 | |||
| Labels |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Mico chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from When the Lights Turn On | ||||
| ||||
When the Lights Turn On is the debut studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Mico (stylized in all caps), released on June 26, 2026, by Columbia Records and Wasted Years.
The album follows his string of successful extended plays, including the EP, Trio (stylized in all caps). The album was supported by three singles: "Dreamboy", "Like You Mean It", and "Do It All Again".
Upon its release, the album charted on several Billboard sales charts, peaking at number 29 on the Top Album Sales chart and number 23 on the Vinyl Albums chart in the United States.
On May 18, 2026, Mico announced the Running From a Feeling Tour in support of the album.[1][2]
Background and release
In August 2025, Mico signed with Columbia Records following the release of his Internet hometown hero EP and its accompanying world tour. On April 24, 2026, he released the album's lead single, "Dreamboy".[3] The second single, "Like You Mean It", was released on May 12, 2026.[4]
Later that month, Mico announced the title and release date for When the Lights Turn On, alongside dates for his first international headlining concert tour, the Running From a Feeling Tour, covering North America, Asia, and Australia.[5] The album's third single, "Do It All Again", was released in June 12, 2026 prior to the full album release.[6] "Why Are You Here" became the fourth single, with an accompanying music video being released on August 13, 2026.
Prior to the release of "Do It All Again", the album's track listing was revealed through promotional newspaper drops across Toronto.[7]
The album was recorded by Mickey Brandolino at MickeyMadelt Studio in Los Angeles, California. It was mixed and mastered by Matt Huber at The Print Shop in Nashville, Tennessee.
Composition and themes
When the Lights Turn On is primarily a pop-punk album incorporating elements of indie pop, alternative rock, hyperpop, and electronic music.[8]
The album addresses themes of fame, self-doubt, personal relationships, and depression. The track listing utilizes alternating case formats, using lowercase song titles for introspective tracks and uppercase titles for more aggressive or intense tracks.[9]
The album focuses heavily on the contrast between a public persona and internal emotional struggles. Specific tracks, such as "Your favorite flowers", detail the transition of a romantic relationship into a friendship.[9][10][11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Open Up Your Eyes" |
|
| 3:04 |
| 2. | "Like You Mean It" |
|
| 2:27 |
| 3. | "Do It All Again" |
|
| 2:30 |
| 4. | "Why Are You Here" |
|
| 3:19 |
| 5. | "Dreamboy" |
|
| 3:17 |
| 6. | "Oh!" |
|
| 2:23 |
| 7. | "Shoes" |
|
| 2:13 |
| 8. | "Your Favorite Flowers" |
|
| 3:29 |
| 9. | "Learning to Love" |
|
| 2:57 |
| 10. | "Can't Keep Crying" |
|
| 3:10 |
| Total length: | 28:53 | |||
Notes
Personnel
Credits adapted from Genius, Shazam, and album liner notes.[13][14][15]
Musicians
- Mico – vocals
- Callum Maudsley – guitar
Production
- Mico – production, songwriting
- Mickey Brandolino – production, songwriting
- Callum Maudsley – songwriting
- Matt Huber – mixing engineering
- Prithvi Prakash – assistant engineering
Artwork and design
- Adit Dixit – creative direction
- Inga Kan – art direction, design
- Juliet Wolf – photography
Charts
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Sales |
US Vinyl | ||
| When the Lights Turn On |
|
29[16] | 23[17] |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | June 26, 2026 |
|
[18] |
References
- ↑ Rogers, Karlie (May 28, 2026). "MICO Announces 2026 International Tour, Adds Vancouver Show". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "MICO Australian Tour 2026". Noise11. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "MICO Launches Into A New Era With 'DREAMBOY'". The Honey POP. April 24, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "MICO – Like You Mean It". Prelude Press. May 12, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Karlie (May 28, 2026). "MICO Announces 2026 International Tour, Adds Vancouver Show". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "4 MICO Songs To Get You Ready For His Debut Album". The Honey POP. June 26, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "MICO Confronts the Patterns He Can't Escape on "Do it all again"". Sony Music Canada. June 12, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "When the lights turn on by MICO". Apple Music. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- 1 2 "MICO Releases His Debut Album, When the Lights Turn On". The Honey POP. June 26, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "MICO "Your favorite flowers" Review: A New Era of Pop". ArtistRack. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Q&A: Inside the Cinematic World of MICO's Debut Album When the Lights Turn On". The Luna Collective. June 26, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ Anon. (2026). When the Lights Turn On (Media notes). Mico. Columbia Records.
- ↑ "MICO – When the lights turn on". Genius. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Your favorite flowers - MICO". Shazam. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ Anon. (2026). When the Lights Turn On (Media notes). Mico. Columbia Records.
- ↑ "Top Album Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Vinyl Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ When the Lights Turn On release formats:
- "When the Lights Turn On". MICO. Apple Music (US). Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- "MICO Steps Into The Spotlight With Debut Album When the Lights Turn On". Sony Music Canada. June 26, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- "When the Lights Turn On Vinyl". MICO Official Store. Retrieved July 10, 2026.