Since he made his debut three years ago with sun-soaked first album Warm Nights, Reuben Vaun Smith
has grown and evolved as an artist. His aims, objectives and musical output have changed, too – some-
thing that’s evident from the opening bars of his third full-length, Da Cuckoo Ya Ya, which also marks his
first appearance on Californian institution Ubiquity Records.

Whereas the summery and colourful Warm Nights was the result of time spent teaching himself music
and production, not to mention over a year of daily recording, Da Cuckoo Ya Ya was recorded in less than
two months. It not only showcases Smith’s sharpened musicianship and his growing love of Eastern
exoticism and wide-eyed psychedelia, but also features guest spots from friends (and fellow Leeds locals)
Sakura Murakami (a guitarist who also featured on 2021’s Sounds From The Workshop album), bassist
Nial Deravairere (on deliciously dubbed-out and hazy closing cut ‘Beams’) and vocalist Lucy Saddler.

While it shares some sonic similarities with its predecessors – not least a greater reliance on live instru-
mentation and plenty of audible nods towards Malian musical culture – Smith’s new set is his most con-
fident and dynamic yet, with the Leeds-based producer consciously moving closer to the dancefloor whilst
polishing his productions further and showcasing all he’s learned to date.