Video: Amo Amo, ‘When I Look at You’

Kevin Bronson on February 12th, 2019

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Think of the new Amo Amo single as a distant psych-pop cousin of “The Look of Love,” the ’60s Bacharach/David hit sung by Dusty Springfield. Yes, “When I Look at You” is all about that look.

“This song is about the real power a gaze has,” the L.A. quintet explains. “We can use our gaze to flatter someone, to threaten them, to chastise or to celebrate someone. Often times as adults, we are self-conscious about the power our gaze contains, and how it can be misconstrued. Little children don’t have this embarrassment … They will stare away unabashedly. So the song is saying, ‘I am in rapture looking at you. I want to tell you that the sight of you inspires and delights me. Is this OK with you?’”

It’s the third single from Amo Amo, comprised of Omar Velasco, Shane Mckillop (Gardens & Villa), Justin Flint, Lovelle Femme and Alex Siegel, who emerged a year ago with two singles (since withdrawn) made during recording sessions at a house in wine country with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. (Amo Amo has dates opening for both James solo and My Morning Jacket later this year.)

Velasco, of course, has a long resumé as a solo artist and as a sideman for the likes of A Fine Frenzy and Jonathan Wilson. His 2015 album “Golden Child” (see our interview here) exuded the same sentimental but sophisticated take on folk-pop as the first three Amo Amo singles do. Here, the buoyancy is elevated by boy/girl harmonies and sprawling arrangements.

Destefano DeLouise’s video for “When I Look at You” arrives just in time for this week’s Hallmark holiday. Open it like a box of candy.

||| Watch: The video for “When I Look at You”