Either flipping through a vinyl crate or scouring bandcamp online the album art is, for me, an integral part of the choice in deciding to check out something completely new (or chose to read a particular album review). With so much music being released a good photograph or typographic choice helps to make something stand out where the reaction from the album art hopefully conveys something about the sound of the music. Or it can help deepen the relationship to an already established favorite when staring at the sleeve of the vinyl package.
So in honor of that share your favorites! Or the ones you dislike to albums you do like!
Here are some of my favorite from this year so far:
Since I Left You is quite gorgeous. It feels like a small detail of some bigger painting which feels fitting to an album built from samples. Had not seen that Protest the Hero art either, quite lovely composition and play on classical paintings/stories. And the Vulfpeck one gave me a laugh. Almost a little uncanny since I so want there to be a football by his feet, it so accentuates his stance is a pose and not a natural movement of playing the beautiful game.
The original artwork for what I posted in the previous post (Flying Teapot by Gong), Strange Days by The Doors, and We’re Only In It for the Money by The Mothers of Invention. Also one more to close it out: Indestructible by Art Blakey. Blue Note’s entire aesthetic is more than worthy of praise.
I am utterly obsessed with the Manic Street Preachers - possibly an all time fan (don’t @ me), and although they’re not my favourite albums the Jenny Saville covers for The Holy Bible and Journal For Plague Lovers are amazing. Ridiculous that the latter was banned in some supermarkets…
That being said, it’s the 10th anniversary of Send Away The Tigers, and it’s being rereleased and that cover is amazing
I love most of Radiohead’s album art, but this is the one I always think of first. It looks like a stage in Rez.
Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective
Sure, optical illusions are gimmicky. This one really puts across the watery feel of the actual music. It’s really striking when holding the real thing in your hands and looking at it.
My favourite post-apocalyptic album. The deep red vinyl cover with the photograph glued on just sells the mood to me.
f#a# (Infinity) - Godspeed You Black Emperor
I have lots of favourites​ that I can’t remember right now. But these 3 always come to mind.
