EKO Std by Navarro: A Chill, Dreamy Escape You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, so here’s the deal—EKO Std by Navarro is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. Released back in 2006 in France (yeah, the land of croissants and cool electro vibes), this ambient gem just oozes chill. Alexandre Navarro, the brains behind it all, crafted something that feels like a warm hug for your ears. It’s not flashy or loud—it’s quiet, thoughtful, and perfect if you’re into music that lets you zone out.
The album has seven tracks total: Rise, Park, Welcome, Am, Land, Sleep, and State. Honestly, they blend together like a lazy Sunday morning playlist, but there are two tracks that stuck with me more than the rest.
First off, Park. Man, this track feels like walking through an empty park at dawn when the world hasn’t fully woken up yet. The synths drift around you like mist, soft and kinda mysterious. There’s no rush, no pressure—just this gentle rhythm pulling you along. I dunno about you, but sometimes I need music that doesn’t try too hard, and Park nails that vibe perfectly. It’s simple, but it lingers in your head long after it’s over.
Then there’s Sleep. Okay, don’t let the name fool ya—it’s not boring or slow in a “put me to bed” way. Instead, it’s hazy and dreamlike, almost like floating underwater. The layers of sound build subtly, never overwhelming you. Listening to it feels like lying on a couch staring at the ceiling while your mind wanders off somewhere far away. If you’ve ever had one of those late-night moments where everything feels both super clear and totally surreal at the same time, this track gets it.
One thing I love about EKO Std is how unpretentious it is. Navarro didn’t try to reinvent the wheel here; he just made music that breathes. It’s not about big drops or flashy beats—it’s about creating space. And honestly? That’s rare these days. Too much electronic music tries too hard to impress, but this album? Nah, it’s happy just being itself.
Oh, quick shoutout to Standard Klik Music (or Standard klik Music, depending on how you wanna spell it). Props for putting out stuff that’s a little left-of-center. France always seems to have its finger on the pulse of cool, low-key sounds, and this album’s proof of that.
So yeah, EKO Std might not change your life or anything dramatic like that, but it’ll definitely make your day better. It’s the kind of album you throw on when you’re cleaning your room, reading a book, or just need some background zen. Weirdly enough, though, as I was writing this review, I realized something—I haven’t listened to Am yet. Like, at all. What even is that track? Guess I’ll have to hit play again…
Final thought: If silence had a soundtrack, it’d probably sound a lot like EKO Std.
