Jawbox
photo by Kate Hoos

Jawbox drummer Zach Barocas lists his 10 favorite albums of 2021

Jawbox frontman J. Robbins released a new solo song earlier this week, and today we bring you Jawbox drummer Zach Barocas‘ ten favorite albums of 2021. If you’re expecting post-hardcore albums in the vein of Jawbox, think again; Zach’s list leans primarily on jazz and modern classical, and a few of these come from drummer/composers like Zach himself. Earlier this year, his Zach Barocas New Freedom Sound project released the new album Four Freedoms (featuring J. Robbins, Gordon Withers, and Mark Cisneros), which is in that same realm. Here’s Zach’s list, in no particular order:

Let the Soil Play Its Simple PartCaroline Shaw + Sō Percussion
PromisesFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders and The London Symphony Orchestra
Path of Seven ColorsChes Smith and We All Break
For George Lewis | AutoschediasmsAlarm Will Sound & Tyshawn Sorey
Julius Eastman Vol. 1: FemenineWild Up
NowDamon Locks Black Monument Ensemble
Let It ShineJeff Coffin and Helen Gillet
Kirtan: Turiya SingsAlice Coltrane
Susie Ibarra: Talking GongSusie Ibarra, Claire Chase, Alex Peh
UneasyVijay Iyer Trio

Earlier this year, Bill Barbot left Jawbox and was replaced by Brooks Harlan (War On Women, Office of Future Plans). Hopefully more shows will be announced soon. They also put out a live album.

Stream Four Freedoms and check out more pics from Jawbox’s 2019 reunion shows…