Mesmerising voices and an abundance of dreamy sounds will take you on a musical journey when listening through the Canta EP, the latest portfolio of dream pop from Amo Amo.
In the currently divided, pandemic stricken, uncertain and crazy world of 2020, everybody needs a little relaxation. The Canta EP from Amo Amo most certainly provides that; it casts the mind away from the mayhem of this year and allows thoughts to run around your head. A diverse sound is clearly established in this short record and no track seems to be the same as another; it is not just a great advert for Amo Amo but it also proves to be an enticing sample of dream pop as a genre.
The LA five-piece are already on their way to being an established and well-known act in the music industry and they are recognised for providing a calming and psychedelic sound. The Canta EP does not divert away from this style and provides you with an element of escapism from whatever difficulties you may be going through. The positive vibes of the band flow through their work and this is backed up by the fact they’re donating all revenue from bandcamp sales of this EP to the #blacklivesmatter movement. It is something that they’re extremely passionate about as they have revealed through their various social media channels.
The record kicks off with title track Canta and hits you straight away with an ounce of relaxation as it builds up to get the feet tapping and the body moving. Love Femme’s voice is unique in itself; she has a way of drawing the listener in with her almost angelic tone and when it is combined with the musical talents of the rest of the ensemble it creates the perfect opener for an EP. Canta oozes melody and it showcases Amo Amo’s versatility as a band. They have found huge breakthrough success with hit singles Around The Sun and Closer to You, yet they have not rested on their laurels and continue to provide experimental sounds utilising every band member’s talent to the absolute maximum.
The opener precedes second track Meteor Martyr extremely well, a passionate tune that increases the intensity of the record. Femme’s voice bellows out on the chorus whilst she seems to provide a softer tone throughout her verses. A higher pace is evident throughout and you just know that it will be a favourite for fans when the band can eventually perform live again.
Rain Song makes you feel like you’re listening to a completely different record but this change is welcome. It has a Spanish feel to it and could easily be heard by the pool on holiday or in a beer garden; it gets the hips going and puts you in the mood to dance. With its ironic name, Rain Song will make listeners wish for normality to return quickly this summer so that garden parties and good times can be experienced again.
The speed of the EP slows right back down as you near the end with Missed Connection. The group have revealed that this track ‘explores themes of isolation and the absence of human connection within our technology-obsessed culture’. It is a song that provides yet another bout of relaxation as it allows you to simply sit back, close your eyes, admire and experience the talent of the group as well as Love Femme’s imposing voice. Colours then follows and concludes the EP, bringing an element of reggae sound with it which is something that the group have experimented with in the past. Omar Velasco’s presence is felt alongside Love Femme in this one as the band yet again showcase their breadth of musical talent.
The Canta EP will leave fans wanting more and it sets Amo Amo up with a great platform to create a second album from. Creating another full album is something that they will surely look to do once normality returns to the world, bands can tour again and music can be experienced in a live setting once more. Fingers crossed that all of this can occur sooner, rather than later.
Score: 4/5
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