15 of the Best Album Cover Designs of All Time

The best album covers are masterclasses in graphic design. A cover needs to grab audiences’ attention, tell them what to expect and stand out from a sea of competition. That’s no small task, so any that can do so effectively for years to come is worth noting.

Determining the most iconic album art is largely a subjective matter, but some covers are undeniably great, or at least memorable and effective. Here are 15 of the most noteworthy album designs of all time in order of release.

1. “In the Wee Small Hours” by Frank Sinatra

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Wee-Small-Hours-Frank-Sinatra/dp/B000006OHD

Frank Sinatra’s 1955 classic “In the Wee Small Hours” may not look like much today, but it’s important. The record invented the concept album as we know it, and its covert art reflects this industry shift. It’s moody and painted in an era where happy photographs of singers prevailed. Everything from the color palate to Sinatra’s expression lets the audience know they’re in for a reflective, melancholic journey.

2. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles

Source: https://time.com/4713080/sgt-peppers-album-photo/

The Beatles are responsible for many iconic album covers — including one that popularized the Ad Lib font — but “Sgt. Pepper” may be their best. “Abbey Road” is arguably more memorable, but its 1967 predecessor is a better lesson in design. 

“Sgt. Pepper” embodies the 60s, from its colors to its flowers to the massive cast in the photograph. It’s full of excess, history and pomp, reflecting the band’s status as an icon of the time.

3. “Maggot Brain” by Funkadelic

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Maggot-Brain-Vinyl-Funkadelic/dp/B00004XOY1

The 1970s produced many of the coolest album cover art of all time. Funkadelic’s 1971 “Maggot Brain” is a prime example. Featuring a Black model buried up to her neck is a jarring but impactful choice for a record exploring the racism and angst of the time. It’s hard to look away, but it’s not a comfortable sight, and that’s exactly what the art should do.

4. “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Moon-Vinyl/dp/B00008AWNY

Few album covers are more iconic than Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” The art makes the bold choice to feature neither the band name nor the album title. This omission, alongside the eye-catching contrast and minimalist art, entices people to look closer to learn more.

The prism design is so simple that it could mean anything. It’s open to interpretation, much like the record itself. That adaptability helped make it a design icon even to people who’ve never listened to Pink Floyd.

5. “Unknown Pleasures” by Joy Division

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Pleasures-Joy-Division/dp/B0000AN14D

Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” is another 70s cover whose popularity far outgrew the album itself. Widely considered to mark the beginning of post-punk, the record is an experimental, reverb-heavy lesson in exploration. Its minimalist, soundwave-inspired cover art reflects this shift from noise and raw emotion to the avant-garde. 

6. “London Calling” by The Clash

Source: https://www.amazon.com/London-Calling-Clash/dp/B00CWAM54U

The Clash’s “London Calling” is another one of the best album covers to come out of 1979. While many records opt for a posed picture or art piece, The Clash went for an entirely candid photo. As a result, it’s honest, raw and full of energy, much like the band itself. 

7. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen

Source: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/bruce-springsteen-born-in-the-usa/

Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 opus “Born in the U.S.A.” is decidedly posed, but like “London Calling,” it’s unusual. Despite featuring the artist, it does not show his face.

By not facing the camera, Springsteen emphasizes his blue-collar image — he’s not concerned with fame or recognition. Cohesion in the color palate also plays a prominent role, as his wardrobe matches the American flag. 

8. “Rage Against the Machine” by Rage Against the Machine

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Against-Machine/dp/B0000028RR

While many of the most iconic album covers push boundaries, few go as far as Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut. Instead of creating their own design, Rage used one of the 1960s’ most recognizable and controversial photographs.

The image comes from photographer Malcolm Browne and features Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức setting himself on fire in protest of South Vietnam’s treatment of Buddhism. Using a historical image lets the listener know that they’re in for something revolutionary. It’s shocking, violent and a symbol of resistance against authority — everything Rage would become known for as a band.

9. “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel

Source: https://open.spotify.com/album/0vVekV45lOaVKs6RZQQNob

An indie cult classic, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” also takes historical inspiration for its album art. Instead of using a photo, though, Neutral Milk Hotel edited a vintage stamp. It’s a strange and difficult-to-dissect image for modern eyes, which is precisely what makes it work. Its oddness demands a closer look, and the more you stare, the more detail you can make out, like the songs within the album.

10. “To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/11/kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly-album-cover

A more modern instance of the coolest cover art in history comes from Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly.” At first, it seems like a straightforward hip-hop cover featuring a raucous block party. However, closer inspection reveals a much richer and darker story.

The party is a stereotypical image of Black young men juxtaposed against the White House. At their feet is a dead caucasian judge. A child holds up censored middle fingers above the content warning label. There’s a lot to unpack about what the image says about racism and politics, which is far deeper than it initially appears. It’s appropriate, considering the song “Alright” from the album went on to become an anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement.

11. “Lemonade” by Beyonce

Source: https://www.timeout.com/music/beyonce-lemonade-album-review

Beyonce’s landmark “Lemonade” album takes a more personal, introspective approach. It’s simple but powerful. The centered, sans-serif title puts all the focus on Beyonce herself, who doesn’t face the camera. One of the world’s largest pop stars covering her face is a quiet but impactful message that reflects the record’s themes of pain and inner strength.

12. “The New Abnormal” by The Strokes

Source: https://www.amazon.com/New-Abnormal-Strokes/dp/B084NJGYQV

“The New Abnormal” is another example of using existing art as an album cover. Unlike Rage and Neutral Milk Hotel’s photos and stamps, The Strokes went for a painting. More specifically, it’s a piece from Jean-Michel Basquiat, who — like The Strokes — symbolized New York alternative art.

The painting is a chaotic clashing of colors and lines, immediately capturing the eyes. Those familiar with Basquiat can unpack more, especially if they know the painting was originally a tribute to another musician, Charlie Parker. In using the image, The Strokes pay homage to their city and the artists who came before them.

13. “Folklore” by Taylor Swift

Source: https://www.amazon.com/folklore-Taylor-Swift/dp/B08DC84LWL

“Folklore,” like “The New Abnormal,” is a 2020 comeback album. Taylor Swift’s surprise record drop was also a shock in its musical direction. It moved away from a standard pop sound in favor of a quieter, alternative folk aesthetic. 

The cover art reflects this shift, using a greyscale color scheme and placing the star amid massive trees. Is it a testament to feeling small amid your own success? A hint that the songs tell a story other than Swift’s own? Whatever the case, it’s a marked difference over its predecessors to gain the attention of both longtime fans and new listeners.

14. “Only God Was Above Us” by Vampire Weekend

Source:https://open.spotify.com/album/1W04wu2W4OIcuiNc5AMB3y

Vampire Weekend’s 2024 “Only God Was Above Us” is a recent pick but still one of the coolest album cover art examples today. It’s an edited version of a picture from photographer Steven Siegel of an old subway car. The muted color scheme, graffiti, emptiness and confusingly sideways man lend it a subtly unsettling atmosphere — perfect for a record about fatalism and politics.

15. “Brat” by Charli XCX

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Charli-poster-Available-original-Covers/dp/B0DCGRBM9Z

One of 2024’s most iconic albums also carries one of the most iconic album covers of the year. Charli XCX’s “Brat” is the embodiment of anti-design, a movement that intentionally shuns design rules to stand out as rebelling against the mainstream.

The cover features a sickly green color, simple text and intentionally blurry lettering. It’s so poorly made that it’s clear the ugliness must be intentional. That, in turn, raises curiosity and stands boldly against other works in pop music.

You Can Learn a Lot From Iconic Album Covers

Across all 15 of these album artworks, there’s a lot to glean about graphic design. Studying the impact of musicians’ choices can help you learn how to follow or break conventions in your own work. Next time a record sleeve or Spotify thumbnail catches your eye, ask yourself why and see if there’s anything deeper to unpack.