We kick off our Year in Review section of 2024 with the first feature in the Best of... wrap up: 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 2024.
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 are connected to album in a more physical way; things were deeper, more evocative...Anyways...
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A damn good jazz record with a gorgeous cover.
Pretty wild cover from a decent, late career PJ album. From Wikipedia:
The album's packaging features light painting art by Alexandr Gnezdilov. The album cover art was crafted using a large self-made kaleidoscope. Each letter visible on the cover was individually captured and handwritten midair with a specially designed flashlight to create the pearlescent effect
A cool solo album from Deal, and her album cover photo was taken by Alex Da Corte. It filters the last known picture of the artist Bas Jan Ader through Deal’s idiosyncratic world view.
RtBE has loves Mdou Moctar's album covers and each release has made these year end wrap ups. This one is no exception. A great album as well.
Bringing us back to graffiti filled NYC subways in trippy fashion.
This is a crazy drawing of Boulevards and it fits the music pretty perfectly.
Keeping on the painting motif, this album from the Parisian metal act sets the tone for the full album, excellent work.
While we found the album a touch overdone, there is nothing negative to saw about this amazing cover photo. It sums up the album perfectly with strength and style.
Charli XCX - Brat
Staying in pop land, this was less a cover and more a movement.
This just looks cool, clean and well designed to these eyes. Great music as well.
Patrick is correct, it just looks cool. From the first time we saw this cover we loved it. Retro/modern, color/b&w, bowling balls and butts, can't lose.
Those were our favorite, what were some of yours?
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