We all know folks do, in actual fact, choose books by their covers — however what about albums? A putting cowl can cease you mid-scroll, pull you into an artist’s world earlier than you’ve heard a single notice or splendidly seize the essence of music you’ve been ready months to listen to. Crafting a picture that distills a musical expertise isn’t any straightforward feat. Right here, Our Tradition spotlights seven artists behind among the most memorable latest album covers.
Shira Inbar, David Byrne – Who Is the Sky?
The trippy, vibrant cowl for David Byrne’s artwork pop album was a real inventive collaboration, designed by New York-based picture maker Shira Inbar with images by Ahmed Klink and costumes by Tom Van Der Borgh. Byrne got here to Inbar with a curated assortment of reference photographs — conventional masks, ceremonial gown, ritual clothes from cultures around the globe — which grew to become the inspiration for the quilt’s kaleidoscopic aesthetic. Recognized for her funky designs and daring use of color, Inbar translated these influences right into a distinctly up to date visible language.
SSION, Fragrance Genius – Glory
Fragrance Genius’ album Glory showcases a putting portrait of Mike Hadreas, photographed by director, photographer and musician SSION (Cody Critcheloe). The fastidiously composed portrait displays the depth of the album itself, and serves as a nod to SSION’s cinematic, subversive storytelling. Initially from Kentucky and educated in portray on the Kansas Metropolis Artwork Institute, Critcheloe has change into celebrated for his hyper-stylized, concept-driven work with artists like Robyn, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kim Petras, and naturally Fragrance Genius, in addition to main style manufacturers.
Nieves González, Lily Allen – West Finish Woman
Wherever you have been in 2025, it was unattainable to overlook the cultural shockwaves of West Finish Woman and Lily Allen’s legendary return — a second fantastically encapsulated within the album’s cowl artwork. Painted by Nieves González between Andalucía and London, the picture captures Allen’s defiant spirit and world-weary glamour with exceptional emotional precision, incomes widespread reward from listeners who felt the portrait deepened their connection to the music itself.
Pak Bae, Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& Unhappy Girls)
The album cowl of For Melancholy Brunettes (& Unhappy Girls) evokes Dutch Golden Age portray, with Michelle Zauner captured amid a lavish unfold of meals and wine. Seoul-based photographer Pak Bae, who made his digital camera debut at London Style Week in 2014, shot the picture. His work has a distinctly cinematic high quality, typically mixing documentary sensibilities with style editorial — treating images very like portray.
Mark Sommerfeld, Geese – Getting Killed
The quilt of Getting Killed by Geese includes a putting picture by Canadian photographer Mark Sommerfeld: a determine backlit by sunshine with a trumpet raised in a single hand and a gun pointed straight on the viewer within the different. At first look, the picture radiates summery ease, however look just a little longer and the threatening undertone emerges. Now based mostly in New York, Sommerfeld has constructed his apply round deep connection along with his topics, believing that studying as a lot as attainable about somebody earlier than a shoot is crucial. His strategy ends in pictures brimming with real intimacy and unguarded emotion.
Kip the Fog, Apollo Brown and Bronze Nazareth – Funeral for a Dream
The quilt of Funeral for a Dream stops you chilly. Heavy brushstrokes construct a thick environment of mourning, with grief radiating throughout the ombre tones — all of the extra highly effective for the absence of facial particulars, which nudges the viewer to venture their very own sorrow onto the figures. Artist Kip the Fog (Chris Gagnon) brings a deeply textural strategy to his portray, incessantly depicting important political and cultural figures with this identical visceral high quality.
Brendon Burton, Jane Remover – Revengeseekerz
Brendon Burton‘s cowl {photograph} for Revengeseekerz by Jane Remover captures a second of ritualistic depth: a determine crouched low, cigarette dangling from their lips, urgent a flaming katana into the earth. Shot in Oxnard, California in January 2025, the {photograph} showcases Burton’s expertise for the ominous and atmospheric. Recognized for work spotlighting deserted buildings and stark pure settings, this second demonstrates his potential to conjure that haunting high quality by gesture and lightweight alone.
