My Top 10 Favourite Album covers (part 2)
In my last Top 10 Favourite Album Covers post, I went through numbers 10 to 8, so I thought I’d pick up where I left off and carry on with the next three. The whole idea behind this series is to hopefully give you a bit of an insight into how I view things creatively, just by looking at the kind of artwork I personally admire and enjoy. So, here we go with numbers 7 to 5.
7. Man on the Moon III: The Chosen – Kid Cudi - Artist: Sam Spratt
Now, I don’t actually listen to Kid Cudi’s music, which is probably why this sits a little lower on the list, despite me absolutely loving the artwork. It’s vibrant, detailed, and somehow still maintains this really abstract feel. The contrast between the warm and cold tones is done so well, they split the image into two distinct halves but still feel cohesive as one piece. Using the moon as the eye of the skull might seem like a simple idea (even a bit of a cliché), but here it just works. The strands flowing out from that side add so much movement and depth. It’s just a really beautiful piece.
6. Fauna – Haken - Artist: Dan Goldsworthy
Again, it’s the detail that wins me over with this one. Honestly, the wallpaper alone is enough to get this cover onto the list. It’s so rich and full of life, and it plays perfectly against the colder, Victorian-style architecture of the room it’s in. That tension between nature and man-made structure ties in so well with the themes of the album itself. Another thing I love is how the various elements and animals on the cover link to different tracks, plus there’s a little Jurassic Park reference in there too. You’ll know it when you see it.
5. A Boat on the Sea – Moron Police - Artist:
Dulk
Like Fauna, this one is packed with all kinds of creatures, but the tone is completely different. This one’s just pure fun. I think “radiant” is the best word to describe it. The detail is, again, incredible, I love the way the artwork flows through the water at the bottom and then transitions up to the surface halfway through. That switch is done so smoothly. All the characters feel surreal and colourful in a way that almost reminds me of a children’s book illustration, but taken to a whole new level. It’s hard not to smile when you look at it.
