Amoeba Hollywood's Unexpected Staff Picks of 2023
Unexpected Staff Picks 2023
Sometimes there are albums that become surprise favorites, even if they're released by artists that are already familiar to you. Whether it be a genre that's outside your usual tastes or early material that differs from a musician's current sound . . . or just something you didn't imagine you'd fall for quite so hard. We asked some of our staff at Amoeba Hollywood which albums were unexpected hits for them in 2023.
Have a look at their lists and maybe you'll discover some new music to kick off 2024!
Alex
Empty Country - Empty Country II
One of the most ambitious rock records I've heard in the last couple of years. Really lyrically dense, packed with murders, junkies & cults. A dark record about derelict Americana. Still catchy though!
Joanna Sternberg - I've Got Me
Just great, classic songwriting. Really direct and honest, which is sometimes mistaken for simplicity, but there's nothing simple about what Joanna does. It's very emotionally resonant. Some of the songs feel as old as the hills themselves.
Carmena
Florian T M Zeisig – You Look So Serious I + II
An experimental album created using 426 loops on 8 pitch controlled tape decks playing Enya's Watermark at the same time. The result is a very beautiful, haunting record reminiscent of The Caretaker's best work and William Basinski.
Various Artists – Amapiano Now
A relatively new style of electronic music from South Africa. Minimal club music that uses traditional South African sounds, including a log drum, which gives it its distinctiveness. Technically, this release came out a few years back, but I just discovered it in 2023.
I found this record going through the electronic section and it looked interesting to me. Ethereal vocals, booming bass, and enchanting melodies. It reminds me of early Crystal Castles and Opus III.
Gomez
In my opinion, this Italian modular synth composer is the best thing happening in electronic music today.
Chancha Via Circuito - La Estrella
Chancha Via Circuito has the ability to put the listener in a zone of magical realism, invoking South American folklore with modern electronic music. Really the first artist to become successful with this formula and now has inspired a new generation of Latin America artists to look into their distant past as well as their future.
If your band has one great singer, it's a small miracle. If you have three? Forget it! Disco & Boogie gems with three of the best singers around. I saw Say She She perform in 2023 and I found the usually jaded L.A. audience absolutely elated during their set. It was as if every song was an encore.
Karen y Los Remedios - Silencio
When you're goth but like to hit the Sonidero clubs on the weekends.
Kali Malone - Does Spring Hide Its Joy
Can music be apocalyptic and beautiful at the same time? Sad and absolutely terrifying, yet beautiful and serene at the same time.
Ana Frango Eléctrico - Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua
Brazilian retro-new wave that dips into boogie. It is a fun record, reminds me of ESG at some points, Rita Lee at others.
I made it a point to listen to modern Brazilian music that did not drop into the 60's/70's bossa/MPB vibe. However, Curyman is such a great record I broke that promise to myself. Fans of Arthur Verocai, who is featured on this album, you have a new hero.
Heaven
The first time I heard "Problemz" I heard hints of James Brown, Prince, and Sly & The Family Stone. It's just a feel good album you can put on for any occasion. It also gives me nostalgia of watching Soul Train as a kid. Watching Jungle's videos and choreography is amazing.
Kali Uchis - Red Moon in Venus
I was not familiar with her work and listening to this album in its entirety blew me away with the beats, the flow, the rhythms, and her expressions in Spanish. She's one of the most amazing artists right now.
Aja Monet - When the Poems Do What They Do
Aja is one of my favorite poets of this generation. She penetrates the soul with her words and creates images with the things she touches upon. Watching her perform this album live was the most incredible experience.
Ranisia
Baby Rose - Through and Through
Baby Rose's voice is what held me captive; sultry and heavy filled with both joy and pain. My choice track is "Fight Club" with the incomparable Georgia Anne Muldrow on background vocals.
The first time I heard this album was in the store. Such a sweet & soulful ode to the experience of confusion & self-discovery. I have played this album so much in the last 3 months.
Tony
Prince - Diamonds and Pearls (Reissue)
I was, and forever shall be, an '80s Prince fan. In 1991, however, when I was 14, I was listening to everything grunge and heavy and moved past the '80s pop radio that I grew up on. I’ve been way into '90s Prince lately and this kicked it off for me.
Augustus Muller - Cellulosed Bodies (Original Score)
Boy Harsher is one of my favorite bands. No one does that kind of electronic music quite like they do. I’m psyched to see Gus doing film scores and really loving the atmospheric stuff he did on this. Also, check out a great film from last year called My Animal (Jae from Boy Harsher wrote the screenplay), featuring another brilliant score by Gus/Boy Harsher.
Slowdive - everything is alive
I liked Slowdive back in the day, but their last 2 records have been my favorite stuff they’ve done. It’s inspiring to see older bands still doing great work and evolving. I listened to this record a lot last year. It’s really beautiful.
