The best cover art of 2020
The artwork that comes with an album can make or break an album. I know that with the rise of digital players that opinion might become more and more unpopular, but I am old school when it comes to artwork. So it's only natural I pay extra attention to artwork. I selected the art that spoke to me the most this year. Here they are!
1
Regarde
The Blue And You
This artwork by Michele Bruttomesso is very strong. I think it is as strong as it is because it is so simple. In addition it has a graphic novel like charm with the use of only two colors. Regarde must have enjoyed the artwork very much as they ordered the visuals of single "Small Talks" from Michele as well!
2
John Moreland
LP5
This is the cover of John Morelands fifth album LP5. It saddens me that I can't find who made this lovely piece of art. I love it in all it's simplicity. I am not sure if I like the placement of the barcode, but next to that, it's almost perfect. It should be a very lifeless design, but the texture of paint in the coloured blocks give it life. Simple as it may be, it is really striking.
3
Mumrunner
Valeriana
One recent personal development is that I am starting to understand abstract art. Well... understand is a big word. Instead of just a blank stare there are some paintings that make me feel something. This beautiful piece of work is one of them. I've spent a couple of very pleasant late sunday evenings listening to Mumrunners take on shoegaze while staring at the cover of their LP. Gorgeous work by Senni Tuomi!
4
Mothers Of The Land
Hunting Ground
Dr. Knoche/Clor is responsible for the artwork of Mothers Of The Land latest album Hunting Ground. Looking at it you know what to expect: some heavy psThe Outskirts Of Realityych. I could rave how I love how the band spiced it up with NWOBHM influences and that I don't miss vocals for one second, but this is about the artwork. There is a certain balance in this work that makes it truly beautiful in my eyes. It is however bound to a certain feeling. It would be awkward to see this artwork featured on a pop record for example. It needs the context it has now.
5
Yuri Gagarin
The Outskirts Of Reality
I dig the whole outer space thing Yuri Gagarin has going on. The artwork reflects that spacey vibe. Påhl Sundström really captured the vibe of the album with his astonishing artwork!
6
Hania Rani
Home
Combining stills from the video for the song "Leaving" with his own sketches Łukasz Pałczyński created something that captures a mood, but most importantly, something that makes me very curious to the album. Good art can do that, and this hits a homerun if you ask me!
7
Slift
Ummon
Slift has asked CAZA to make the artwork for Ummon. The picture you see here is only part of the magic that you get when you look at the LP cover. Yes, there's more. It's dark, but in a very wonderful way. This is the kind of artwork that you marvel at while playing the LP.
8
The Ocean
Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic
Don't you just love it when a band takes you on a trip spanning multiple albums and they get a certain consistency in the artwork as well? I know I do and I am pretty sure The Ocean do too. Martin Kvamme is responsible for the artwork of their latest album Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic and what he made is perfectly in line with the connected albums. What I especially love about the artwork (and what I can't show you in this picture) is how he made this three-dimensional (in line with the previous two parts).
9
The Other
Haunted
You probably know the saying: you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover? Oss Caroch must have thougth: yeah, I don't agree with that and designed a cover for The Others album Haunted in such a way that you know exactly what you are going to get.
10
Saffronkeira With Paolo Fresu
In Origine: The Field Of Repentance
Mustafa Sabbagh's artwork graces the album In Origine: The Field Of Repentance and for me sets the tone of the album. It explains it and guides you through the motions of the music in a way.
- Dennis
