There is this overwhelming mellow feeling on Boston singer-songwriter and frontman for The Cosmic Vultures , Derek Smith’s sophomore release “Obscura” Available via Vermont’s Oak Honest Records.

“Obscura” is the absolute perfect companion for summer. Derek Smith effortlessly and magically has woven an album that is an extraordinary musical experience.

We were immediately drawn to the care free opening track “Everyday” Derek Smith artfully delivers a flawless vocal performance that is surrounded by mystical melodies that seem to melt time and space away .

On “Salem” we are treated to an absolutely other worldly track. “Salem” has a very spiritual presence that is guided by Smith’s voice.

“This record is very ‘glass half empty’. I have that specific outlook on life,” Smith says. “But I am not always a pessimistic person. I get into my moods and then I write. I don’t think I know what it’s like to write a song in a good mood. But I asked myself how I could tell a story with songs without having a linear storyline. I just wanted songs to fill gaps. If my brain was a puzzle, I needed to find the right pieces to make it feel like one complete thought. That is “Obscura” in a nutshell.”

Those moods of which Derek Smith speaks of are the genesis for an album that provides an honest commentary with a chilled vibe .

The mesmerizing guitar work on “Sound is absolutely stellar . The assembled group of musicians that Smith , has on “Obscura” is beyond impressive. Smith is backed by his trusted producer and longtime collaborator Jonathan Chesbro, who also mixed and mastered the album, as well as performing guitar on “Everyday”, and a host of collaborators who help bring his creative vision to life on select songs: guitarists Jeff Dafonte and Dylan Gagnon; bassists Steve Constantino and Michael Strakus; and percussionist and mixer Dalton DeLima.

Our favorite track on “”Obscura”is “Dear Boy “ Derek Smith delivers a flawless and inspiring vocal performance . “Dear Boy” is one of those special songs that you remember long after the music has faded .

Derek Smith closes out the wonderful collection of songs that is “Obscura” with the lush and gorgeous track “Chasing Rainbows” You can really hear Smith’s heart and soul on “Chasing Rainbows” It truly is a beautiful track .

Like painter with their brush , Derek Smith uses his voice and guitar to create a stunning work of art that is “Obscura”