To understand the font, you have to understand the vibe. Zaba (named after a children's book, The Zabajaba Jungle by William Steig) is an album about primal desire, creeping vines, and nocturnal animals. The typography needed to reflect that.
The Zaba font is not a standard, off-the-shelf Adobe or Google typeface. It is custom, distorted, and heavily stylized. If you look closely at the album cover (the standard version with the snake and the black background), the word "GLASS ANIMALS" appears above the temple, and "ZABA" sits below the snake.
The letters are sharp, aggressive, and slightly condensed. They feature distinct characteristics: glass animals zaba font
This is the closest mainstream font to the "sharp serif" look. It is a display face with massive contrast between thick and thin strokes. The lowercase 'g' is particularly unique.
Short answer: No. The Zaba logotype is not a standard, off-the-shelf font. It is a custom-drawn wordmark created specifically for the album. To understand the font, you have to understand the vibe
Long answer: Extensive searches through font libraries (MyFonts, Fonts In Use, WhatTheFont) confirm that the “Zaba” lettering does not match any existing typeface. It was almost certainly designed by the band’s long-time creative collaborator, Micah “Mosh” Taylor (who has done most of their artwork) or a studio like Young Replicant (known for organic, neo-tribal design).
Fear not. You can still achieve that Zaba jungle-fever aesthetic. Here are the five best commercial and free fonts that capture the spirit of the Glass Animals Zaba font. The Zaba font is not a standard, off-the-shelf
Abril is a free font on Google Fonts, and it is a powerhouse. It has the high contrast drama of Didot but with slightly warmer curves. If you want the "hiss of the serpent" without buying a license, start here.
Tungsten is the opposite of a serif—it is a compressed sans-serif. However, it captures the vertical, towering energy of the Zaba type. It feels industrial and organic at the same time.