Art of the Album

Art of the Album is a weekly feature every Thursday looking at the craft of album-cover design. If you’d like to write for the series, or learn more about our Clio Music program email us at [email protected].

Album Covers That Push the Creative Envelope

Bad Bunny, Charlie XCX, Panic! at the Disco and more

by Julian Conner

10 Album Covers That Transform the Female Body

Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion, Rosalía, Lorde and more

by Mia Barnes

These Album Covers Captivated a Generation at the Dawn of the Century

With Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Guided by Voices and more

by Matt Drenik

These Classic Album Covers Are Also Self-Portraits

The Police, Peter Gabriel (3 times!), Foo Fighters, Sade, Daft Punk and more

by Roehl Sanchez

Classic Album Covers Trumpeting Music That Takes Bold New Directions

With Tame Impala, Bruce Springsteen, Weezer and more

by Zach Stewart

10 Album Covers That Serve as Maps of the Subconscious

Korn, Björk, Smashing Pumpkins and more

by Mynxii White

10 Classic Album Covers That Keep It Real

Lorde, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Rodrigo and more

by Hodje

10 Album Covers With an Air of Mystery

Roy Ayers, Elton John, Marvin Gaye and more

by Mark Adams

Face Values: Classic Album Covers as Evocative Portrait Art

Janis Joplin, Judah & the Lion, Joni Mitchell and more

by Sammi Accola

10 Albums That Look as Great as They Sound

The Civil Wars, Florence + the Machine, Kacey Musgraves and more

by Hallie Grace