We recently had the spectacular opportunity, to check out the new EP, “Temporary Circus: Act 1”, from Boston, singer-songwriter Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures.

You can listen to, “Temporary Circus:Act 1” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here And on Bandcamp Here

The latest EP, from Derek Smith and the Vultures, “Temporary Circus: Act 1 , is a joyous musical treasure trove of brilliantly crafted musical compositions.

Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures’ new EP, Temporary Circus: Act 1, is a five-track collection from the prolific Boston singer-songwriter that hits the streams today, ( Friday, May 16. ) This new record arrives about a half-year from the band’s recent album Opus, and marks the start of a new creative chapter with additional acts to quickly follow.  

“Sonically, this is an acoustic album to me,” Smith says. “I didn’t use a full drum kit here. It feels different than Opus and that was my intention. I have people asking me why I didn’t make a direct sequel to Opus and it’s because I already did it. It’s time for a new sound.” 

Where Opus was a majestic declaration of excess and grandeur, coming off more like a greatest hits compilation in its sweeping production and ambitious drive, Temporary Circus: Act 1 is something far more personal, more raw, and more organic. Intact is Smith’s penchant for melody, and the alarming ease with which he steers his sound through familiar corridors of alternative, pop-rock, indie-folk, psych, Yacht Rock, AM ‘70s gold, funk, and whatever else escapes from his creative mental asylum. The many different stylistic offerings make the EP, a melodic delight. Smith’s sound has always been jovial on the surface, with something a little darker glowing underneath.

Throughout Temporary Circus: Act 1, there is a growing unease and overwhelming sense of malaise that permeates through the five songs, and drawn together serve as a bit of a warning about what the future may hold, with carnival-like interludes and faux news reports acting as segues, similar to how we doom scroll from one app to the next to feed our serotonin needs: “Question everything. Do your research. Whatever hardship you’re going through… it’ll pass. And to hell with toxic people.” 

Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures have crafted an EP, that flows freely in many melodic directions, while also artfully articulating the state of world . Because, it’s also a proper Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures album, so beneath the layers of social awareness, messages both subliminal and obvious, and lyrical wordplay wisdom, is another sparkling and celestial record that glows with Smith’s vivid storytelling acumen. He’s now officially released 73 songs since 2017, both with the Cosmic Vultures and as a solo artist, and the creative tank shows no signs of emptying. 

The EP opener and title track immediately set the lyrical theme, a daydream-like composition with a propulsive thump and twinkling demeanor where a certain type of circus comes to town to whisk us away in our own cerebral slumbers. The yearning, campfire glide “Strange Life” explores feelings of self-discovery and our shared end-goal of being comfortable with who we are, despite greater forces influencing us otherwise. 

Smith leans into political lanes on the poignant and straight-forward “The Puppets of Hypocrisy,” fueled by a sonic buoyancy and pub sing-along mood while hidden meanings lurk behind the lyrical phrases. The atmospheric and star-gazing “Some Girls” (Our favorite track on the EP) finds a central comfort in the strength and poise of women, with Smith casting admiration for what they provide the world and how much they deal with and are forced to endure. 

And EP closer “Indie Darling” was inspired by a dream Smith had walking through Salem, Massachusetts, waking up feeling so connected to the city and feeling free from the circus that had previously dogged his mental state. 

“My music is a universe that I created,” Smith concludes. “If someone connects to my music, that is wonderful. But they need to use the info wisely. Use the info to help you put together whatever your opinion is. Bottom line: A famous musical artist (or hell, a local one) spreading their message is fine. But it’s NOT the end all be all. Form your own opinions. I think it’s important that everyone has a platform to express their opinion on the world… but people get obsessed with artists and then they become idols. Just be careful with that stuff. It could be your next Temporary Circus.” 

We were absolutely captivated by “Temporary Circus: Act 1 “ from Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures, it is a must listen.