In 2024, the album cover that stood out the most was BRAT, known for its purposefully ugly design. However, this year also saw a variety of striking album covers, ranging from intricate and beautiful to surreal and grueling. In this list of 50 standout album covers, we have reached out to many of the artists for insights into their creative process. This unranked list follows an aesthetic or conceptual logic, with the top 10 artworks making the strongest impression.
Cindy Lee’s „Diamond Jubilee“ serves as an entry point for many fans, showcasing a cartoon drawing of the artist superimposed on a photo of an industrial building in Alberta. Bat for Lashes‘ „The Dream of Delphi“ features Natasha Khan on a cliffside, symbolizing her journey of motherhood. Brittany Howard’s „What Now“ cover is vibrant and surrealist, reflecting the energy of her music. Bnny’s „One Million Love Songs“ cover, taken by Alexa Viscius, captures a moment in Alaska with contrasting brightness.
Hannah Frances‘ „Keeper of the Shepherd“ cover captures the singer-songwriter in a moment of surrender and self-burial, reflecting the album’s themes of grief and rebirth. Maruja’s „Connla’s Well“ EP cover, taken in the 1970s on a beach in Ireland, reflects themes of mental health and connection. ganavya’s „like the sky I’ve been too quiet“ blends spiritual jazz and Indian classical music, marking her debut on Shabaka Hutchings’ Native Rebel label. The cover artwork of the album captures the deeply spiritual and transcendental nature of the music, reminiscent of Romain Rolland’s „oceanic feeling.“ It is swirling and evocative, much like ganavya’s dance, similar to Bat for Lashes‘ The Dream of Delphi.
Katy Kirby’s Blue Raspberry album cover features her with Pearl Amanda Dickson, conveying core themes of the album such as romance, coastal vibes, and LGBTQ+ representation. The cover photo was improvised last minute, resulting in a beautiful and meaningful image.
Sam Lee’s songdreaming album artwork reflects his affinity for natural landscapes and his concern for their preservation. The artwork captures the essence of the album’s premise – moments of enchantment and connection with the land.
Knocked Loose’s album cover for You Won’t Go Until You’re Supposed To, captured by Briscoe Park, features a crucifix symbolizing an overwhelming presence and a sense of isolation, yet also reminiscent of home.
Sour Widows‘ debut album cover art, created by Ben Styer, reflects the magical realism in the band’s music, especially focusing on themes of grief and loss. The painting resonates deeply with the content of the album, portraying a surreal and mythical quality.
Les Savy Fav’s OUI, LSF album cover was created by frontman Tim Harrington in his Brooklyn attic, where the band recorded most of their LP. The cover art reflects the organic and connected process of creating the album in a unique and unconventional space. During the recording of Go Fourth with Phil Ek, I came up with the term ’shovevolving,‘ which is a similar concept.“
The back cover of the album features real soil and roots, symbolizing the core theme of paradox in the record. The songs are paired up in diads, representing the duality of life and the struggle to balance different aspects of oneself. The grass and roots on the cover represent ordered growth and chaotic twisting, but ultimately they are different aspects of one living organism. The textures in Phasor are delicate and diaphanous, and while the cover may lack the human quality of the music, there is great intimacy in the fact that Roberto Carlos Lange recorded it across the hall from the studio where Sword, his wife and frequent collaborator, created the illustrations.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s Nai Palm, who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018, has spoken out against beauty standards post-mastectomy. The artwork on the band’s latest album, Love Heart Cheat Code, by painter and sculptor Rajni Perrera, helped her challenge these standards.
Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine era was introduced with a press photo featuring the back of her neck, styled in a ponytail and resting on another’s shoulder. The image ties into the album’s themes of intimacy and introspection.
Fabiana Palladino’s self-titled debut album was made mainly at night and in isolation. The artwork, shot by Nicola Delorme in Paris, features a persona that Palladino wanted to explore, inspired by noir movies and fashion.
NewDad’s Madra album cover features a broken porcelain doll looking down, symbolizing feelings of fragility and vulnerability. The image went viral in China, with fans sharing their interpretations on social media.
Allie X’s Girl With No Face album cover features a mask of her face commissioned by Miya Turnbull. The Canadian singer-songwriter had wanted to feature masks in the creative direction for years before the album was titled. “When we started discussing the album cover, we knew we wanted it to be a reflection of this duality. Tierra’s music is so vibrant and full of energy, but also explores darker themes and emotions,” he added. The result is a visually striking cover that captures the essence of Tierra Whack’s unique sound and persona. We both have a similar color sense and sense of humor, so it was natural for us to dream and be dreamy when exploring the Wide World of Whack,“ Whack said. „Alex is a visionary and an extremely talented person. Being based in Philly, it was a natural connection.“
The Cure, Songs of a Lost World
Andy Vella, a graphic designer and long-time collaborator of the band, agrees that Songs of a Lost World showcases them at their best. Vella can visualize and create imagery without even hearing the music, a unique talent he has developed over four decades of working with the band. The custom ‚Cureation‘ lettering on the cover was designed after hearing some of the new songs during the band’s 2022 tour.
Infant Island, Obsidian Wreath
The music and artwork of Obsidian Wreath are influenced by the landscape of rural Virginia, specifically Fredericksburg. The band worked with folk artist Sarah Bachman to capture the essence of their Southern home. The imagery reflects the ethereal nature of the Appalachian night and the chaotic power of a wildfire, creating a haunting and captivating visual.
Goat Girl, Below the Waste
The theme of shadows and light permeates Goat Girl’s Below the Waste and its artwork, particularly the album cover. The designers drew inspiration from dark and grandiose themes, collaborating closely with the band to create a visual representation of the album’s sound and emotions. The imagery contrasts darkness with hope, capturing the essence of the music.
Kehlani, CRASH
Drawing inspiration from iconic glam album covers from the early 2000s, the team behind Kehlani’s CRASH sought to elevate their minimal aesthetic. The cover embodies beauty, glam, and a world of CRASH, inspired by a historical image from the late 1940s. The collaboration between Kehlani and the photographer resulted in a minimalist yet iconic cover that captures the essence of the album.
Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft
Submerged in the deep blue sea on her third album cover, Billie Eilish mirrors the haunting intimacy of Hit Me Hard and Soft. The singer described the grueling process behind the shot, emphasizing the optical illusion-type visuals that inspired the album’s cover. The cover captures a moment of vulnerability and introspection, inviting viewers to question and contemplate its meaning.
Porridge Radio, Clouds in the Sky They Will Always Be There for Me
Frontperson Dana Margolin’s visual artistry is evident in Porridge Radio’s work, with the cover of their latest LP featuring a photograph of Margolin looking at a sculpture she made. The sculpture was a lyrical inspiration for the songs on the album, creating a visual and emotional connection between the music and the artwork. Margolin chose to feature a photo of the swallow sculpture for the cover of her album, inspired by Alexander Calder’s mobiles and sculptures. She reached out to photographer Steve Gullick to capture the image she had in mind, which he successfully brought to life after a day of collaboration in her art studio. Cassandra Jenkins‘ album cover, shot in the Mojave Desert, reflects a deeper purple sky with Jenkins at the center, offering a glimpse into her unique worldview. Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, and Andreas Werliin worked with illustrator Pål Dybwik for their album cover, creating a dreamlike image that complements the repetitive focus of their music. Vemod’s album artwork for The Deepening was created by Ørnulf Opdahl, adding a grandeur to their atmospheric black metal sound. Pyur’s cover for Lucid Anarchy was inspired by natural drawings found on a beach in France, reflecting the organic and immersive nature of her music. Coldplay’s Moon Music album cover features a moonbow, tying in with the atmospheric and lush sound of the album. In 2020, Argentine photographer Matias Alonso Revelli captured a stunning rainbow above his head in his backyard. Using a Nikon D3100, he quickly took a couple of pictures and later edited them. Coldplay’s team reached out to him via email to ask permission to use the photo, which he shared on Instagram.
Grandaddy’s Blu Wav album features artwork with a High Plains Drifter-like character in space, created by Jason Lyle using vintage astronomy magazines. The font for the title was carefully chosen, and the overall concept was described as „high concept stuff.“
Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood collaborated closely for The Smile’s Wall of Eyes artwork, inspired by imaginary maps and a long history of working together. The artwork was created over two years, exploring cartography and mapmaking in a dreamlike realm.
St. Vincent and Alex Da Corte’s All Born Screaming artwork was influenced by their visit to the Prado in Madrid. The artwork explores themes of blackness, colour, light, and the void, with a powerful and bold aesthetic.
Empress Of’s For Your Consideration album features the artist on top of a large star, painted gold over an LA backdrop. The artwork plays on themes of prizes, glam, and Hollywood, reimagining the artist as the main character in an awards season campaign. Felicia Atkinson discusses the artwork for Space as an Instrument, which features a mountain landscape by painter Harold Ancart. Ancart’s use of oil stick in his paintings adds a timeless and mysterious quality that Atkinson appreciates. The album cover was a result of collaboration between Atkinson, Bartolomé, and Shelter Press, aiming to create a dialogue between music and painting. Atkinson was thrilled with Ancart’s depiction of mountains, as it perfectly matched her vision for the record.
Vampire Weekend’s album Only God Was Above Us takes inspiration from 20th-century New York City and features cover art based on a photograph by Steven Siegel. The photo, titled Subway Dream 11, was taken in 1988 and is part of a collection of images of abandoned New York subway cars. Siegel expressed his honor at having his photos included in the album, showcasing a unique perspective of the city’s history.
The Last Dinner Party’s debut album Prelude to Ecstasy features cover art shot at The George Tavern in East London, where the band played their first show. The image captures the band members in a lavish and nostalgic setting, reflecting the opulence of their sound. Lead vocalist Abigail Morris emphasized the band’s focus on visuals from the beginning, aiming for distinct and ambitious aesthetics.
Mdou Moctar’s Funeral for Justice album cover, created by Robert Beatty, features a large crow dripping with blood, symbolizing the band’s anthems of resistance. Beatty’s collaboration with the band began with the album Ilana, where they aimed to reflect a punk music aesthetic. The bird has since become an iconic symbol for the band, representing their DIY ethos and connection to punk music.
Charli XCX’s album BRAT stands out for its unique visual aesthetic, featuring Pantone 3570-C, low resolution Arial font, and the album title written in lowercase. Despite initial skepticism from her team, Charli XCX embraced the unconventional look, believing it embodied the rebellious spirit of the word ‚brat.‘ The intentionally pixelated design sparked conversation and challenged traditional norms for female artists. Und ich denke für mich, es ist wie ich würde lieber diese Gespräche haben, die tatsächlich in einigen Fällen ziemlich explosiv wurden, als ein Bild, wo Leute sagen, ‚Sie sieht gut aus.'“ Please rewrite this text: „The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.“