INSTINTO

Even though the Psychedlic/Space Rock band from Mexico called 'Ekos' was formed in 2005 as a cover band for Pink Floyd, they didn't release their first album until 2012 after they first started creating their own material and felt that their band was solidified enough as the quartet of Ana Camelo (vocals, keyboards), Jesus Torres (guitar, voices), Victor Juarez (bass) and Ricardo Castro (drums). After releasing their debut album, however, in 2015 Castro was replaced with Carlos Cleriga, and the band released a second album.

Early in January of 2020, the band, retaining this line up, produced another album called 'Instinto'. This album is made up of 6 tracks ranging from over 4 minutes to over 14 minutes and has a total run-time of over 43 minutes. Both vocalists take part in the tracks on this album, yet I am not sure which one is which. The lead singer for the first track 'Vuelve a Mirar' (6:01) has a higher vocals and the other has a definite different, more mature sounding vocal, which can be heard on the second track 'Fiel Obsesion' (4:39), where both vocalists sing and the listener can tell the obvious difference in their vocal tone. This helps a lot with the variety in the sound. These first tracks are definitely accessible and easy enough to listen to with a lot of balance between all of the instruments, but neither one of them featuring a lot of instrumental work, mostly driven by the Spanish lyrics. The music is catchy and drives forward quite well, but really doesn't sound much like a psychedelic or space rock band.

The guitar riffs are more apparent in 'Mi Vida en Ti' (4:31) with a more progressive and heavier sound which softens when the vocals come in. There is enough going on in the music to keep the listener interested, but it also continues to be mostly accessible and contains more guitar work which also helps bring the music up a level and the build up of energy in the track also creates the emotion that is needed. 'Creando Vacios' (14:43) begins with a chanting crowd followed by bass, drums and guitar churning and rolling along, creating excitement and interest in what starts to develop into one of the standout tracks on the album. The music calms, then floats along in the first semblance of psychedelia so far. Vocals finally come in and a bit of intensity develops as the music becomes more expressive along with the singing. After 4 minutes, things really start getting interesting as guitars darken the mood and keys come swirling in heralding in an extended instrumental orgy of amazing music and ever changing textures. It took a while, but now the album has become quite exciting. All of the instruments get chances to shine, and they do with organs, guitar, bass and drums all working off of each other a progressive style, but, again, not delving so much into the psych or space rock realms as much as the Heavy Prog sound. Vocals return after 9 minutes when the music softens again, but the instruments take over again even before a minute has elapsed as the guitars get a chance to show off in some rousing solos. Excellent track.

'En ' Contraste' (5:14) is driven by a heavily strummed acoustic sound and is soon joined by the vocalists. One can hear a bit of the Pink Floyd influence here, but its done quite well. Halfway through, the bass and drums join in. The song is nice, more ballad-like, yet nice, filled with acoustic riffs and hooks and a nice vocal melody. The album ends with 'Mi Ultima Voz' (8:29). This one starts off with acoustic guitar, atmospheric keys and vocals, soft and mellow like the last track, but developing into more forward movement as the drums come in later. The tempo speeds up and becomes more involved after the 5 minute mark.

The music on this album is very pleasing and nice, but the best part of it is in the last three tracks, which, fortunately, contain the two longest tracks on the album. Except for 'Creando Vacios', the level of progressive style is light, but the music is still very enjoyable and has a lot of depth. The lyrics are all in Spanish, but that is hardly noticeable because the music is so well composed and played. When all is said and done, it is an album I would return to, even if it doesn't have a strong progressive feel or even if it isn't exactly what I would consider psychedelic or space rock, it is still well done. To me, it definitely leans more towards a 4 star album.