Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Year In Review 2022 - Favorite Album Art

We kick off our Year in Review section of 2022 with the first feature in the Best of... area, Album Art

Just like in years past, we will be choosing our favorite albums of the year, a few that were underwhelming, our favorite live shows, and highlight some fantastic archive releases, all of which will be posted over the next few days. 

Today we are starting out by judging books (records) by their covers (vinyl sleeves, jackets, digital pics, etc) with the Best Album Art Work of 2022.


The biggest gripe RtBE has with digital music is not the quality (that has been massively improved) nor the disposal nature of it (still a problem, but whatever), it is the lack of amazing album covers and art work.

Sure there may be great album art out there but seeing it on a screen, on Spotify or elsewhere is nothing compared to holding an LP or even a CD booklet with pages of lyrics, pictures etc. 

Thankfully the rise of vinyl is helping this dilemma but it is still not enough. The hours we spent staring, actually holding, examining tons of covers while listening to music can't be adequately recorded, it added new dimensions to the sounds. You were connected to album in a more physical way; things were deeper, more evocative...Anyways...

Here comes RtBE's Favorite Album Art of 2022

Created by bassist Mike Eginton, the art is majestic and works perfectly with the music, title and theme on this strong release from the San Diego based rockers. 

The Bogie Band Featuring Joe Russo - The Prophets In The City


This instrumental album just seems to match up perfectly with the art work on the cover, which pulses the more you look at it. 


This does the exact same as The Bogie Band, as the music on the record matches up with the albums art. Except RtBE weren't fans of that music contained on the album...but this is for album art only and Warpaint nailed the vibe they were delivering.  

The Surfrajettes - Roller Fink

A retro pop showcase of whimsy and fun. That describes both the Surfrajettes music and their cover art on Roller Fink

Arcade Fire - WE 

The band is searching for the sound with this "return to their roots" album, and while they may not have found that success fully, they certainly discovered some striking cover art. A photograph of a human eye by the artist JR. 

Burna Boy - Love, Damini 

Burna Boy looks gassed on the cover of his 2022 release Love, Damini and that is how the album felt, tired. While not our favorite album, the cover art certainly matched the music. 

Young Gun Silver Fox - Ticket To Shangri-La


Tropical feelings and breezy vibes float through this record. Like a digital version of a Hawaiian shirt.  Well matched photo for the cover. 

$ilkmoney - I Don’t Give a Fuck About This Rap Shit, Imma Just Drop Until I Don’t Feel Like It Anymore

A crazy modern cover for a crazy modern hip-hop album from Virginia born rapper $ilkmoney. Speaking of crazy art....

Tropical Gothclub - S/T

Dean Fritita's solo debut as Tropical Gothclub went tripped out overboard on this cover art in psychedelia Coop like fashion. Intense.  

Trombone Shorty - Lifted

Perfectly titled and a spot on picture of Troy Andrews mom lifting him up as a child. This album is dedicated to her and it was our second favorite album art of the year, narrowly beat out by...

Favorite Album Art of 2022:



Designed by artist Jo Clauwaert, the album art for the self titled debut from the FREAKONS instantly draws you in, telling the story of the album without music. The vinyl contains lyrics and more drawings, feeling like a historical work, as do the songs. This combo makes the FREAKONS our favorite album art of 2022. 


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