Turn On the Bright Lights is the debut studio album by American rock band Interpol. The band, formed by Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, Carlos Dengler, and Greg Drudy, started working on the album in 2001. It was released on August 20, 2002, under the label Matador Records. Both the production and reception of the album have noted its dark, atmospheric sound, with critics often associating it with post-punk and indie rock bands of the late 70s and early 80s. The lyrics, written by Paul Banks, were also laden with feelings of desolation and longing.
In their initial years, Interpol faced difficulties in finding a record label willing to sign them. However, the unfavourable circumstances changed after they performed an opening set for The Strokes and released a series of EPs that generated considerable buzz in the indie rock scene. Matador Records eventually signed them and invested in their debut album project.
The album proved to be a critical and commercial success. In the United States, it reached number 158 on the Billboard 200 and had sold around 488,000 copies by 2011. Its leading single "PDA" became particularly popular and is still considered one of Interpol's signature songs.
Over time, Turn On the Bright Lights has maintained its acclaim and is typically regarded as one of the finest indie rock albums of the 2000s, an impressive start to Interpol's career. The band celebrated the album's 10th anniversary in 2012 with a special remastered edition and a series of commemorative live performances, further enhancing its legendary status in the indie rock scene.
