My favourite music in 2021 : the eclectic list

So basically what you'll find in this list is my favourite releases from 2021 that didn't fit in the other lists I made (grindcore, industrial, metal), so you'll have punk rock, afro-caribean, hard rock, garage, psych rock, free jazz, neofolk, noise rock, post-punk and hip-hop. In alphabetical order. Click to go to the review.

 

Amyl & The Sniffers - Comfort to Me

 

Anthony Joseph - The Rich Are Only Defeated When Running for Their Lives

 

 Bror Gunnar Jansson - Faceless Evil, Nameless Fear

 

Danko Jones - Power Trio

Dope Purple - Grateful End

John Zorn - Chaos Magick

John Zorn - New Masada Quartet

Night Beats - Outlaw R & B

Of the wand and the moon - Your Love Can't Hold The Wreath Of Sorrow

 

Throat - Smile Less

Viagra Boys - Welfare Jazz

 

Work Money Death - The Space In Which The Uncontrollable Unknown Resides, Can Be The Place From Which Creation Arises

 

 Xon'a’Jazza - Road to Hell

 

ZillaKami - Dog Boy

 

 

 

John Zorn - New Masada Quartet (2021)

After many albums by a brilliant first Masada quartet (Joey Baron on drums Greg Cohen on bass, Dave Douglas on trumpet and John Zorn on sax), Electric Masada, many albums with bands picked by Zorn to play the Masada songbooks, John Zorn returns again to Masada with  a New Masada Quartet, in which he's still playing sax but this time with Julian Lage on guitars, Kenny Wollesen on drums and Jorge Roeder on bass, playing eight songs from the Masada songbook. I wouldn't say it's better than the first Masada quartet, but it's different and definitely excellent as well, and it's exiting and great to listen again to Masada as a quartet with Zorn playing his sax and not just directing. Absolutely recommended!

The Tzadik page.

 

John Zorn - Chaos Magick (2021)

John Zorn has released a few excellent albums in 2021 and Chaos Magick, is one of them, featuring the Simulacrum ensemble (John Medeski playing organ, Kenny Grohowski playing drums and Matt Hollenberg playing guitar) joined by pianist Brian Marsella. Largely in a fusion jazz vein (think Miles Davis / In A Silent Way or Bitches Brew) but with a capacity of turning in an instant into something a lot heavier and sharper (Grohowski also plays in Imperial Triumphant and Hollenberg in Cleric). To say it is inspired and perfectly executed would be an understatement.

Chaos Magick on Tzadik website.

 

John Zorn - The Hierophant (2019)

This is a piano, bass, drums trio album, but, composed by John Zorn and played by Brian Marsella (piano), Trevor Dunn (bass) and Kenny Wollesen (drums), The Hierophant is not your usual chamber music. The nine tracks, each one inspired by one tarot card, shows many different facets and moods, it's quite melodic and there are quiet moments yes, but coming with the expected (from these guys!) additional intensity and expertly controlled craziness. This is a truly superb and moving album. Highly recommended!

The Tzadik page.

John Zorn - Psychomagia (2014)

John Zorn is one of the most avant-garde and versatile contemporary composer and his works goes from chamber music to grind through klezmer, jazz, surf and just anything he wants to deals with..on Psychomagia he had the band Abraxas performing some of his compositions. Abraxas is Aram Bajakian and Eyal Maoz on guitar, Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz on bass and Kenny Grohowski playing the drums. and as usual with musicians picked by Zorn, they are absolutely awesome, very skilled and personnal. the songs are inspired by the magical writings of Giordano Bruno and Alejando Jodorowski.  the music sounds like acid free-fusion jazz noise surf rock, from quiet to frenetic. at the same time challenging and fun. it's becoming one of my favourite Zorn albums. really excellent stuff.

the Web page on Tzadik, Zorn's label.