Artists You Should Know, Echo Park Rising Edition - Smooth Jas Takes You Into Their World on Eponymous Bedroom Pop EP

Indie pop artist Smooth Jas, the solo project of singer and multi-instrumentalist Jasmine Navarro, is a bedroom pop delight not to miss at Echo Park Rising 2023. The Long Beach native started experimenting with music in 2018 with GarageBand, first playing the ukulele before improving the quality with each passing song. Naturally, early songs such as “YCTQ (Demo)” slid nicely into the bedroom pop stratosphere for Smooth Jas’ lo-fi recording and DIY style.

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But with a diverse taste in music, Navarro gradually evolved and went on to release their self-titled EP in 2021, which included tracks like “Arizona” that proved they only dropped when the music would resonate.

However, the song subverts expectations and finds a pocket where the lyrics can deliver poignant honesty clearly directed at someone in particular. Whoever the “Benji” of the track is doesn’t matter, as Navarro gives such an open account of their feelings they could be applied to anyone’s experience with the “Benji” in their life.

Striking with a much fuller sound than early material, “Arizona” still holds onto the swirling airspace that made for an engrossing listening experience underlined by Navarro’s softly delivered vocals. Even with its limited arrangement of synths and guitar flutters, the atmosphere they create is nothing short of dreamy.

On the same EP, “Benji” offers a closer look into personal matters heightened by the established dream pop style. Where “Arizona” aims to surround the listener, Navarro chooses to build up “Benji” as the booming bass prepares to land on what’s expected to be an explosive climax.

While it’s been some time since Navarro put out any new material outside the occasional Bandcamp release, that hasn’t stopped them from performing live solo and with a band, on top of contributing to their friends’ projects.

Whenever Smooth Jas decides to drop new material, it’s safe to bet it will be with a purpose rather than just for the sake of dropping new music. In the spirit of smooth jazz, their music offers a unique fusion with a little bit of something for everyone, the way it ought to be for someone who knows their sound in and out.