10 Great Album Covers That Tell a Story

Greta Van Fleet, Snow Patrol, Coldplay and more

I have always been a storyteller, from the moment I figured out how to express my imagination and thoughts with pen to paper. As a video editor, music is one of the most important elements in telling a story. It works together with the visuals in a video to set the tone and atmosphere for the story you’re trying to tell, and it heightens the emotional and psychological impact. The right piece of music can make a sad scene more heartbreaking, a happy scene more joyful, and an intense scene more suspenseful.

The way music connects with people and amplifies emotions has always fascinated me. My favorite thing about it is how it makes me feel. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been watching a movie or show and heard a music track that stuck with me long after the credits rolled. Every time I listen to it, I’m reminded of the exact scene it was used in and how it resonated with me emotionally.

Similarly, my top 10 album covers all represent the albums and tracks that have left a lasting impression on me and that I always find myself going back to. Each one is attached to a nostalgic memory or period of my life. When I see a particular album cover and hit play on the music, I’m transported back to that time. The memories and feelings play out in my head like a scene from a show or movie.

Tame Impala

Currents (2015)

This album cover is visually captivating and thought-provoking. It features a metallic sphere half-submerged in a vibrant, psychedelic liquid pattern, which has become an iconic image within the indie music scene. It evokes themes of transformation, introspection, and the fluidity and movement of time, mirroring the album’s exploration of personal growth and change.

Eddie Vedder

Into the Wild (2007)

The cover of this album reflects a sense of self-discovery and a quest for meaning in the face of societal expectations, themes prevalent in both the album and the film of the same name. Eddie Vedder’s soulful vocals and poignant lyrics complement the sense of longing, wanderlust and yearning for freedom conveyed in the image.

The War on Drugs

Lost In The Dream (2014)

This album cover captivates me for its enigmatic yet deeply evocative nature. Set against a dreamy, washed-out backdrop, the image features a solitary figure sitting amidst a hazy window, seemingly lost in contemplation. The blurred contours and muted colors perfectly complement the album’s sonic landscape, characterized by lush, ethereal textures and introspective lyrics, drawing you into a mesmerizing journey of self-discovery and existential reflection.

Coldplay

A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)

Coldplay is one of my favorite bands of all time, and this album cover is by far one of their most iconic and recognizable. It also contains a lot of my favorite songs. It features a grayscale 3D rendering or sculpture of a human figure unfinished and drifting off into a stark white background. The fragmented construction of a head symbolizes various themes such as introspection, mental struggle and the complexity of human emotions. This fits perfectly with the album’s themes of love, loss and existential reflection. It’s a memorable and thought-provoking piece of art that has followed me throughout most of my life. 

Snow Patrol

Eyes Open (2006)

This album cover has always resonated with me. It features an abstract design almost like a watercolor painting of two figures embracing each other. This conveys a sense of intimacy and connection, which illustrates the emotional depth of the songs present in the album and creates a visual harmony with their themes of love, loss and longing.

Greta Van Fleet

From the Fires (2017)

This album cover and its songs never cease to spark a fire inside me and make me want to embark on a long road trip. It features a striking image of a group of figures sitting around an intense camp fire in the forest, as sparks drift into the vibrant and starry night sky. Fire is often associated with transformation, passion and rebirth. These themes relate to the band’s iconic sound, which draws inspiration from classic rock influences while bringing a fresh, modern energy at the same time. Overall, the fiery artwork provides a great visual representation of the powerful and vibrant spirit of the music within the album.

Washed Out

Life of Leisure (2009)

This album cover and its music perfectly encapsulates how it feels to drift in a calm ocean on the beach underneath a setting sun. It sports a sun-soaked photo of a woman floating in water, creating a sense of tranquility, nostalgia and escapism. The ethereal image perfectly captures the chillwave genre that makes up the album with its dreamy, relaxed vibe and drifting nature of the music.

Empire of the Sun

Walking on a Dream (2008)

The fantastical depiction of the band members in elaborate, otherworldly costumes immediately makes you think of a sci-fi adventure or fantasy epic, which are some of my favorite films. The surreal landscape and imaginative design illuminates the album’s themes of adventure, escapism and otherworldly experiences. It sets the stage for the lush, cinematic and dreamlike qualities of the music and suggests that you’re about to embark on a unique and exhilarating journey unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Foster the People

Torches (2011)

The hand-drawn style gives this album a unique and personal touch. The fantastical creatures and imaginative elements illustrate a sense of creativity, freedom and individuality. These themes reflect the energetic and vibrant nature of the album’s music and style, which often explore youthful exuberance and lust for adventure. When listening to the album, you can almost see the unique characters in the artwork coming to life and dancing along to the upbeat music.

Brand New

The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)

This album cover has always evoked a deep and emotional response that carries over into the experience I have listening to the album’s music. It captures a moment that feels significant but undefined. The eerie figures and the child against the wall, portray themes of innocence, fear and the aspects of human nature that we often keep hidden. It creates a haunting atmosphere and a sense of isolation and melancholy, which resonates with the introspective and sometimes dark nature of the music.