In a series of articles dedicated to the relationship between graphic design, art, and music, we’ve explored the best of album cover art decade by decade, starting from the ’50s. We’ve seen how album covers not only reflect the music within but also capture the spirit of their times. Now, as we conclude this series, we want to celebrate with a collection of the best album covers of all time!
Best Album Covers of All Times: Our Selection
As you can imagine, it was not easy to select the very best album covers in the long and visually rich history of album art. So we had to go by our taste. As graphic designers, we appreciate all album art that creates that special magic of communicating through images, layout, and typography what the music feels like. It’s a very special quality indeed, something that only great design manages to pull off. So let’s get to it and see what the best album covers of all time are!
Frank Sinatra, Where Are You? - 1957
The album cover for Frank Sinatra’s “Where Are You?” features a delicate, hand-drawn illustration with soft, muted colors, creating a nostalgic, melancholic mood. The cursive font for the title adds a personal touch, while the bold serif font for Sinatra’s name ensures prominence. The overall design feels intimate and expressive.
The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967
The cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is a vibrant collage of famous figures, combining photography, illustration, and surrealism. The colorful band uniforms, intricate typography, and flower arrangement spelling “Beatles” create a rich, eclectic composition, reflecting the album’s experimental and iconic nature.
King Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King - 1969
The cover of King Crimson’s In the Court of the Crimson King is a striking, hand-painted illustration of a screaming face, capturing raw emotion and existential anxiety. With no typography on the front, the powerful imagery alone speaks volumes. It’s considered one of the best album covers of all time, blending surrealism and intensity.
The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground & Nico - 1967
The album cover, designed by Andy Warhol, features a bold, graphic banana that became an iconic symbol of pop art. Its simplicity and the intriguing instruction to “Peel slowly and see” invite interaction and curiosity, mirroring the band’s avant-garde music.
The Who, Tommy - 1969
The cover of The Who’s Tommy features surrealist artwork with a lattice of open spaces revealing glimpses of band members. The deep blue clouds and birds evoke a dreamlike atmosphere, while minimalist typography adds contrast. This striking composition is often regarded as one of the best album covers of all time.
Thelonious Monk, Underground - 1968
The cover of Thelonious Monk’s Underground is a staged, chaotic scene combining rustic and military elements. The photo’s intricate details, like the piano, rifles, and farm setting, create a rebellious, gritty atmosphere. The bold, uppercase serif font contrasts with the busy background, highlighting the album title and artist in a striking composition.
Stan Getz/João Gilberto, Getz/Gilberto - 1964
The cover of Getz/Gilberto is a minimalist yet striking design. The bold orange and yellow abstract painting draws attention, evoking warmth and the essence of Bossa Nova. The black, modern sans-serif typography contrasts sharply against the vibrant background, giving the names prominence. The simplicity complements the elegance of the music inside.
The Steve Miller Band, Sailor - 1968
The cover of The Steve Miller Band’s Sailor combines surrealism and monochrome photography, depicting the band in front of a sinking ship with an overhanging planet Earth. The bold, psychedelic font for “Sailor” contrasts with the dark, stormy backdrop. The visual composition evokes a sense of adventure, mystery, and cosmic exploration.
Supertramp, Breakfast in America - 1979
The cover of Supertramp’s Breakfast in America features playful surrealism, with a waitress holding breakfast items against a backdrop mimicking the New York skyline made of kitchenware. The bold, stylized typography complements the lighthearted theme. The vivid colors and quirky concept make it a standout and one of the best album covers of its era.
David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust - 1972
David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust features dark, moody street photography, with Bowie posing as Ziggy under a glowing streetlamp. The blocky, serif typography contrasts with the gritty, industrial background, adding a futuristic feel. The album’s atmosphere and iconic design make it one of the best album covers of all time.
Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon - 1973
With its iconic prism design, this album cover for The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd stands as a testament to minimalist design’s powerful impact. The light refracting through the prism creates a spectrum of colors against the stark black background, symbolizing light from darkness, complexity from simplicity, and diversity from unity. This design not only encapsulates the album’s themes but also remains an enduring symbol of the 70s and is often celebrated as one of the best album covers of that era.
David Bowie, Aladdin Sane - 1973
The cover of David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane is iconic for its minimalist photography, featuring Bowie’s face with a striking lightning bolt makeup. The clean white background emphasizes his persona and the delicate, colorful typography complements the surreal design, blending glam rock and futuristic vibes. It’s a timeless and impactful visual statement.
Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures - 1979
The cover of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, famously designed by Peter Saville, is a masterclass in visual minimalism and mystery. Its enigmatic white-on-black waveform captures attention, embodying the post-punk ethos and the album’s introspective nature. The design, devoid of the band’s name and album title, invites interpretation, much like the haunting tracks it encases.
Nick Drake, Pink Moon – 1973
The cover of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon features surrealist artwork with floating objects—a teacup, mask, and rocket—against a dark, dreamlike landscape. The soft gradients and whimsical imagery evoke a sense of mystery and introspection. The minimalist, sans-serif typography contrasts the intricate artwork, enhancing the album’s ethereal and haunting tone.
Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin - 1970
The cover of Led Zeppelin III features a playful collage of surreal images, including butterflies, airplanes, and abstract elements, blending into the large, curved typography of the band’s name. The hand-drawn style and whimsical cutouts create a sense of psychedelic energy. The interactive design with a rotating wheel adds a dynamic, tactile element, making it one of the era’s most memorable album covers.
The London Symphony Orchestra, Tommy - 1972
This cover features an intriguing spherical design, which immediately catches the eye with its layered shades and tones. The white curved bands striking through the darker background suggest a sense of motion, and the central black rectangle adds a mysterious element, possibly an entry point into the depth of the music within. Its design cleverly plays with perspective and depth, hinting at the orchestral reinterpretation of a rock opera where layers of sound are as complex and nuanced as the visual layers, resulting in one of the best album covers of the 70s.
Commodores, Natural High - 1978
The Commodores’ album cover features a bold, metallic 3D logo floating against a bright blue sky. The typography is stylized with sharp angles, giving it a futuristic, industrial feel. The clean, minimalist design contrasts the heavy logo with the soft, dreamy background, making the band name the visual centerpiece.
Chicago, Chicago XIV - 1979
The cover of Chicago’s Chocolate Bar album features their iconic logo embossed into what looks like a chocolate bar, with torn foil revealing the design. The retro, curvy typography complements the playful concept. The textured effect of the packaging and rich brown tones create a fun, tactile visual, mimicking a candy wrapper.
Miles Davis, Bitches Brew - 1970
The cover of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew features bold, surrealist artwork with vibrant, flowing colors and African-inspired imagery. The blocky, black typography contrasts the organic, fluid background. The abstract design reflects the experimental nature of the music, blending fantasy, nature, and culture in a visually striking composition.
The Velvet Underground, Loaded - 1970
The Velvet Underground’s Loaded album cover features playful, hand-drawn illustrations of a subway entrance with colorful, swirling smoke. The retro, psychedelic typography curves around the top, matching the vibrant, fluid style. The combination of urban imagery and dreamy color palette creates a contrast, evoking a sense of surrealism and underground culture.
Bauhaus, The Sky's Gone Out - 1982
For The Sky’s Gone Out, Bauhaus opts for a stark, high-contrast design featuring a luminous white circle at the center, surrounded by explosive, feathery textures against a deep black background. This abstract, almost celestial visual is both arresting and ambiguous, complementing the band’s post-punk gothic aesthetic with its minimalist palette.
Alice Cooper, Raise Your fist and Yell - 1982
Alice Cooper’s Raise Your Fist and Yell album cover features a vivid, horror-themed illustration of a fist crushing a face, with intense, grotesque details. The dripping, blood-red typography for “Alice Cooper” contrasts with the sharp, electric blue for the title. The graphic, gritty design reflects the album’s rebellious and intense energy.
Kraftwerk, Computer World - 1981
Kraftwerk’s Computer World is one of the best album covers of all time, featuring a bold, hand-drawn illustration of a retro computer with the band members’ faces on the screen. The minimalist yellow background contrasts with the grayscale computer, while the futuristic, sans-serif typography reflects the album’s pioneering electronic sound.
The Police, Zenyatta Mondatta - 1980
The Police’s Zenyatta Mondatta album cover features a striking gradient of warm orange and red tones, contrasted by a blue triangle framing the band members’ faces. The geometric sans-serif typography for “The Police” adds a modern touch, while the handwritten-style title at the bottom gives the design an eclectic feel. The cover’s bold color scheme and composition reflect the band’s dynamic sound.
Metallica, Master of Puppets - 1986
Metallica’s Master of Puppets album cover features a striking scene of white crosses in a field, symbolizing graves, with puppet strings controlling them from above. The bold, metallic logo at the top adds power to the imagery, while the ominous red sunset creates a dark, apocalyptic mood. The minimalist, futuristic font for the album title complements the intense and symbolic design.
Grace Jones, Nightclubbing - 1981
The cover of Grace Jones’ Nightclubbing is an iconic, minimalist portrait, emphasizing her androgynous, sculptural beauty. The muted color palette with warm tones contrasts sharply with her bold, angular figure dressed in a sleek black suit. The simple, sans-serif typography adds to the elegance and sophistication of the cover, reflecting Jones’ unique, avant-garde style.
Green Day, Dookie - 1994
Green Day’s Dookie album cover from 1994 packs a punch with its detailed, comic book art explosion. The cover reflects the album’s punk sound, with the band’s name boldly tagged atop, capturing the rebellious spirit of the album.
Björk, Post - 1995
Bjork’s Post album cover features bold photography with a surreal, dreamlike background of neon colors. The contrast between her white outfit and the chaotic backdrop emphasizes her intense gaze. The minimal typography allows the dynamic imagery to take center stage, reflecting the album’s eclectic and experimental nature.
Nirvana, Nevermind - 1991
Nirvana’s Nevermind album cover features an underwater photograph of a baby reaching for a dollar bill, symbolizing themes of innocence and capitalism. The minimalist black typography contrasts with the blue water, with the bold, distorted “Nevermind” title adding a grunge aesthetic. The raw imagery perfectly reflects the album’s rebellious tone.
Pink Floyd, Pulse - 1995
This album cover is a fantastical visual journey that’s often highlighted among the best album covers of the 90s, blending elements of nature with cosmic and surreal imagery. The eye suggests a deep connection between the macrocosm and microcosm, reflecting the album’s expansive and explorative themes. The rich details and colors invite the viewer to contemplate the interconnectedness of all things, resonant with the 90s push towards a more profound, collective consciousness in music and art.
Santana, Supernatural - 1999
Santana’s Supernatural album cover features vibrant, hand-drawn illustrations with swirling patterns, musical instruments, and spiritual symbols. The rich color palette emphasizes reds, blues, and yellows, creating a dynamic and festive atmosphere. The bold, flowing “Santana” signature adds movement, while the small serif typography for “Supernatural” contrasts the energetic visuals, reflecting the album’s fusion of genres and cultures.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Californication - 1999
The cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication features a surreal image of a swimming pool with a fiery sky replacing the water, set against a calm, blue ocean. The stark contrast between the intense red-orange pool and the serene blue ocean creates a striking visual. The minimal, all-caps typography complements the clean, modern design, emphasizing the album’s themes of contrast and transformation.
Michael Jackson, Dangerous - 1991
Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album cover is a detailed, surrealist illustration, combining elements of fantasy, mystery, and spectacle. The intricate artwork features Jackson’s eyes as the focal point, surrounded by ornate designs, animals, and hidden symbols. The bold, serif typography complements the complex visual narrative, reflecting the album’s theatrical and enigmatic themes.
The Prodigy, Invaders Must Die - 2009
The Prodigy’s Invaders Must Die album cover features a gritty, industrial design with bold, jagged typography. The black and white image of a zeppelin contrasts with the striking orange text in a chaotic, graffiti-like style. The sharp angles and rough textures reflect the album’s aggressive, rebellious energy, giving it a raw, impactful visual presence.
Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion - 2009
Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion album cover features an optical illusion pattern with swirling green and purple ovals, creating a sense of motion. The cover lacks typography, allowing the abstract, hypnotic design to take full focus. The trippy, psychedelic aesthetic mirrors the experimental and immersive nature of the music.
The White Stripes, Elephant - 2003
This album cover features a dramatic red backdrop that contrasts with the black and white attire of The White Stripes. Meg White’s ethereal white dress and Jack White’s vibrant red suit create a visual tension that is both stark and theatrical, capturing the essence of the duo’s dynamic and minimalist aesthetic.
Justice, † (Cross) - 2007
Cross album cover is minimalistic and bold, with a black background and a glowing golden cross. This simple yet powerful imagery captures the essence of the band’s electronic music, which blends heavy beats with a near-religious fervor, and reflects the album’s iconic status in the electro-house movement.
Radiohead, Kid A - 2000
Radiohead’s Kid A album cover features abstract, digitally distorted mountains with muted colors and jagged lines, reflecting the album’s experimental sound. The stark white typography contrasts with the dark, apocalyptic sky, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. The minimalist design, paired with surreal imagery, conveys a sense of alienation and dystopia.
Tyler, The Creator, Flower Boy - 2017
Tyler, The Creator’s Flower Boy album cover features a surreal landscape with sunflowers, oversized bees, and a vivid orange sky. The figure’s back is turned, adding a sense of introspection. The bold color palette and detailed, dreamlike illustration create a striking contrast between reality and fantasy, reflecting the album’s emotional depth. The lack of typography emphasizes the visual artistry.
Iceage, Beyondless - 2018
Iceage’s Beyondless album cover features a bold marbled pattern in red, black, and white, creating a chaotic yet mesmerizing texture. The handwritten pink script contrasts sharply with the organic swirls, adding a modern, artistic touch. The abstract design reflects the album’s raw energy and experimental post-punk aesthetic, emphasizing texture and color over conventional imagery.
Arcade Fire, The Suburbs - 2010
Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs album cover features a muted, nostalgic photograph of a car parked in front of a suburban house, with overgrown palm trees adding a sense of neglect. The grainy texture enhances the vintage feel, while the angled, minimalist typography gives the title a modern twist. The design evokes themes of memory and change.
Mogwai, Every Country's Sun - 2017
The cover of Mogwai’s “Every Country’s Sun” stands out among the best album covers of the 2010s, with a haunting eclipse over a desolate landscape. It captures the album’s expansive soundscapes through its ethereal and apocalyptic visual metaphor, evoking a sense of wonder and desolation.
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly - 2015
Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly album cover features a raw black-and-white photograph of a group celebrating in front of the White House, holding cash and bottles. The chaotic scene contrasts with the historical backdrop. The minimal typography and explicit content warning add to the gritty, rebellious tone, reflecting the album’s political themes.
Tame Impala, Currents - 2015
Tame Impala’s Currents album cover features a psychedelic design with fluid, wavy lines that ripple around a metallic sphere. The vibrant red, pink, and orange streaks cutting through the abstract pattern add a dynamic sense of movement. Minimalist typography in gold complements the futuristic, trippy aesthetic, reflecting the album’s themes of change and flow.
Dinosaur Jr., Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not - 2016
Dinosaur Jr.’s Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not album cover features a surreal, neon-hued landscape with vivid pink and green tones. The drippy, psychedelic mountain terrain is contrasted by a lone green figure standing atop a peak, giving it a trippy, dreamlike feel. The minimal text adds to the mysterious, artistic design.
Lorde, Melodrama - 2017
Lorde’s Melodrama album cover features a stunning painting with rich blues and purples, portraying a woman lying in bed under soft light. The brushstroke style adds texture, while the play of light and shadow highlights her face. The image evokes emotion and intimacy, complementing the album’s introspective themes.
Okkervil River, Away - 2016
The album cover for Okkervil River’s Away features a richly detailed, painterly landscape at sunset. A large flock of birds fills the sky above a forest and river, creating a dynamic and serene scene. The typography is understated, allowing the vibrant and immersive illustration to take center stage.
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories - 2013
The album cover for “Random Access Memories” is a sleek and modern depiction of Daft Punk’s iconic helmet. Its reflective surface and contrasting colors symbolize the blend of futuristic sounds and classic influences that define the album.
Love Music and Graphic Design? Find Even More Cover Art Inspiration!
- Best Album Covers of the 50s
- Best Album Covers of the 60s
- Best Album Covers of the 70s
- Best Album Covers of the 80s
- Best Album Covers of the 90s
- Best Album Covers of the 2000s
- Best Album Covers of the 2010s
Here we list our posts on the best album covers of all time divided by decade, so you can explore more artwork that speaks the visual language you’re looking for. We hope you enjoy the journey and find the inspiration you need!
