Vana Liya has spent much of her career finding ways to stretch reggae beyond its expected boundaries, and her latest single, “New Light,” featuring The Movement, might be one of her most complete examples yet.
Released September 4 through LAW Records, “New Light” reunites Liya with producer and longtime collaborator Johnny Cosmic, who is also producing her forthcoming sophomore album, currently expected in 2027. The track features Josh Swain of The Movement, whose vocal presence gives the song another texture without disrupting the atmosphere Liya establishes at its center.
Sonically, “New Light” sits comfortably between roots reggae and a much more modern, spacious style of production. There is plenty of reggae DNA in the rhythm and instrumentation, but the song never feels tied to a traditional formula.
Instead, Cosmic builds a wide mix around Liya’s voice. Small percussion details move around the stereo field, adding ear candy throughout the track without crowding the arrangement. Ukulele and keyboard weave together underneath it, giving the song an organic foundation while the production around them feels polished and contemporary.
It is a particularly effective backdrop for Liya’s voice. Her vocals are lush and understated and when Swain enters, his rougher vocal tone creates a natural contrast, giving “New Light” another dimension while preserving the track’s relaxed feel.
Liya previously told The Pier that “New Light” began during a writing session on a porch in Ocean Beach after listening to Spanish guitar. What began as a simple chord progression eventually developed into a song centered on the duality between darkness and light.
“The song itself is about the duality of life. Life can be day and night,” Liya told The Pier earlier this year. “It’s about conquering the dark with the light. As long as you have the light, it will take over the dark.”
The single also offers another glimpse at where she may be headed on her second full-length record.
Liya released her debut album, Little Kahuna, through LAW Records in 2021, with Johnny Cosmic producing the project. That record established the blend of reggae, pop, island music and singer-songwriter influences that has followed her throughout her career, while collaborations with artists including Pepper helped introduce her to a wider reggae audience.
Her relationship with LAW Records stretches back even further. After building an audience through ukulele covers of reggae songs online, Liya signed with the Pepper-founded label in 2018 as its first female and first solo artist.
The song follows a deeply personal stretch of songwriting for Liya. Earlier this year she discussed both “New Light” and “Carry On” with The Pier, explaining that the songs will appear on her second album alongside additional collaborations.
“I’m working on my second record right now,” she said. “‘Carry On’ and ‘New Light’ will both be on that record, and we’ve got a few more features coming too.”
For now, Liya is taking the new material on the road.
As anticipation starts building for her 2027 sophomore album, “New Light” suggests Liya is less interested in abandoning the sound that brought her here than expanding what can exist inside it.
The roots are still there. So are the ukulele, reggae rhythm and easygoing delivery that have long been part of her music. But with Cosmic filling the edges of the mix with percussion and texture, and The Movement adding another voice to the conversation, “New Light” feels like a natural step forward.
September 11 — Big B’s Delicious Orchards — Hotchkiss, CO
September 12 — Cool Vibes Reggae Fest, Levitt Pavilion — Denver, CO
September 13 — El Rialto — Las Vegas, NM
