We recently had the privilege to check out the brand new album “Opus” from Boston rock band Derek Smith And The Cosmic Vultures

You can bask in the majestic glow of “Opus” on Spotify Here Apple Music Here

“Opus” from Derek Smith And The Cosmic Vultures is a beautifully woven musical tapestry that shows off the many sides of a band who always artfully raises the creative bar on every thing they do.

We love that “Opus” does not box itself in a stylistic corner, rather it finds its way to the center of the room and shows all of its beautiful colors.

“This album is a noteworthy moment in my life,” Smith admits. “It’s a collection of art that I am putting on display in my own personal art studio. Each chapter brings a new feeling. A cosmic play of dark and light. It’s the sky I always wanted to paint. It’s a shrouded, cynical page from the vault in my mind. A tiresome reflection of life and death. When you put these colors together, you get Opus.”  

So far, listeners have been treated to two tracks from the record, both released this year: July’s enchanting spark plug single “Tomorrow Morning,” ( an absolute musical gem) with its stirring cocktail of glam, psych, and soft rock and ready-made ambition that allowed it to hit Number 4 on the global Radio Indie Alliance charts and caught the attention of WBUR, Boston’s NPR, which previewed Opus in its 2024 Fall Album Guide as a record not to be missed; and September’s “Songbird,” a melodically lush and sonically dense composition (peaking at Number 16 on RIA) that suggested Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures were leaning into a more expansive musical alchemy. Remarkably, a trio of singles — the majestic “White Spade Symphony”; the celestial alt-rock hypnosis of “Waiting”; and the gritty and anthemic “Black Angel” — did not make the Opus cut.   

The songs that made the cut for “Opus” cover a wide range on the musical spectrum but, that is what makes them so special. We were immediately captivated with “No Cigarettes” Smith takes a cheeky and comical look at his admittedly boring life of no drinking or smoking. The line “No Happy Hour, For Me” stayed with us long as the music ended ( Just ask the people in aisle 3 in Market Basket) “So Far Gone “ is a mesmerizing tune that seems to flow right of the speakers . We definitely hit repeat many times with this one .

Smith is effusive with his praise for his bandmates, especially his longtime partner-in-crime Strakus: “Michael’s intricate guitar work weaves melodic threads that elevate each track, showcasing his ability to blend technical prowess with emotional depth. And he’s quick to note the rhythm section: Steve’s rhythmic bass lines provide a solid foundation, enriching the band’s sound with groove and harmony, while Dalton’s dynamic drumming drives the energy of the music, creating an infectious pulse that resonates with listeners.” 

Opus was mixed by Erik von Geldern, Don Schweihofer, and Monty Dale; mastered by von Geldern, Schweihofer, and David Locke; and engineered by a cast that includes von Geldern, Schweihofer, Dale, David Minehan, and Jonathan Chesbro. “The countless hours that were put in by Erik von Geldern and Don Schweihofer at Berlin Audio Productions cannot be understated,” Smith notes. “These guys did such an amazing job. This record wouldn’t be off the ground without them.”

Do your music loving heart a favor and get lost in the magic of “Opus” from Derek Smith And The Cosmic Vultures.