Image via Complex Original
For true crate diggers, the image on the outside of the vinyl release was just as important as the music etched inside the grooves. The hope is always that the record isn't complete until you have an image that properly represents it. In the days of VSTs and Beatport, sound design and mastering can at times outweigh how people are branding their music, so we end up with labels that stick to a singular art aesthetic when it comes to releasing music. Impactful logos as single art can be impressive, but when it comes to fully-realized projects, you need to convey that statement immediately, which can be done perfectly with the proper image. This collection of cover art highlights when impressive beats meet striking visuals. Or all things just align, to the point where when a song from that project comes on, you can see the artwork inside your brain. In no particular order, these are the pieces of art we wouldn't mind having hanging in our homes.
The Prodigy - Fat of the Land
Label: XL Recordings/Maverick
Year: 1997
Art Director(s): Alex Jenkins, Liam Howlett
The Fat of the Land cover is such a great reflection of the decade. The more seemingly random the image the better and the warped perspective makes it even better.
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Label: Columbia
Year: 2013
Art Director(s): Cédric Hervet, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Paul Hahn, Thomas Bangalter, Warren Fu
Simple and understated. Daft Punk has always let the music speak for itself and Random Access Memories is no different.
Above & Beyond - Group Therapy
Label: Ultra
Year: 2011
Art Director(s): Big Active
The deluxe LP edition of Group Therapy featured ribbon artwork for each track on the album. Other bands need to take note of the creativity and passion in that.
deadmau5 - 4x4=12
Label: Ultra
Year: 2010
Art Director(s): n/a
Pretty much an updated version of For Lack of a Better Name, but this image fits the club scene and deadmau5's costume more than the 3D rendering of the helmet did.
Justice - †
Label: Ed Banger
Year: 2007
Art Director(s): So Me
What a better way to grab your attention then remix one of the world's most recognizable symbols?
Moby - Play
Label: V2
Year: 1999
Art Director(s): Ysabel Zu Innhausen Und Knyphausen, Corinne Day (Photography)
You may have seen this cover photo in different colors but the vibe is the same. The shot of Moby in mid-air and someone holding a light meter is both wild and calculated and serves as a preview of what to expect from the album.
Daft Punk - Discovery
Label: Virgin
Year: 2001
Art Director(s): Alex & Martin, Cedric Hervet, Daniel Vangarde, Gildas Loaec, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Pedro Winter, Simon Scott, Thomas Bangalter
Including your band logo on every album cover can be boring but Daft Punk found a way to make it fresh and even better than the previous albums.
Air - Moon Safari
Label: Source / Virgin
Year: 1997
Art Director(s): The Director's Bureau
The graphic on this album looks like an old Hall & Oates t-shirt, but we mean that in the best way.
Tiesto - Just Be
Label: Magik Muzik
Year: 2004
Art Director(s): Sven
Sometimes an introspective pose in a portrait is all you need. This reminds us of solo vinyl covers from the '70s.
Andrew Bayer - It's Artificial
Label: Anjunabeats
Year: 2011
Art Director(s): Markus Karlsson
The cover of It's Artificial is not your normal electronic fare, but Bayer has never been normal electronic fare. The multi-layered artwork is fitting to the album's abstract instrumental nature.
Shpongle - Are You Shpongled?
Label: Kinetic/BMG
Year: 1998
Art Director(s): Mark Neal
Shpongle used similar imagery of this weird six eyed...thing on other album covers but they were all surrounded by a lot of clutter. The face in sculpture form against a dark background makes it stand out more and is definitely as psychedlic as the band itself.
Bassnectar - Timestretch
Label: Amorphous Music
Year: 2010
Art Director(s): Peter Clark
Though Bassnectar has always maximixed the cover art medium as an extension of his vision, his 2010 Timestretch release stands as his best artwork. Perhaps a big reason for its success, Bassnectar's rather simple steampunk aesthetic deviates from his oven maximalist covers and sound, the single mechanical bird hits the nail on the head, giving you exactly what you need, and nothing more.
Claude VonStroke - Urban Animal
Label: Dirtybird
Year: 2013
Art Director(s): Matthew Goldman
To be honest, this extends to all the singles artwork as well, but the album's cover is special in it's own right. A dirtybird made up entirely of minifactories? #watcool
EPROM - Metahuman
Label: Rwina
Year: 2012
Art Director(s): Menno Fokma
This is better than any "metahuman" than we could ever imagine. Fokma's interpretation is so detailed and interesting and it makes you want to check out the music if you haven't already.
Major Lazer & La Roux - Lazerproof
Label: Mad Decent
Year: 2010
Art Director(s): n/a
Even though it looks like someone sketched it in 10 minutes after seeing Iron Man 2 then played around with it for a few hours on a computer, the Lazerproof cover alone was the reason a lot of people got the mixtape because it's so dope. La Roux as Iron Man is the best part.
Nero - Welcome Reality
Label: More Than Alot / Mercury
Year: 2011
Art Director(s): Markus Karlsonn, Matt Maitland
There isn't much to be said about this album cover. The sort of exaggerated reality with a futuristic feel is amazing. It would be hard for Nero to top this.
Pretty Lights - Glowing In The Darkest Night
Label: Pretty Lights Music
Year: 2010
Art Director(s): Dan McPharlin
If 2001: A Space Odyssey is ever redone with a full EDM soundtrack, this needs to be the movie poster.
Underworld - Second Toughest of the Infants
Label: Wax Trax!/TVT
Year: 1996
Art Director(s): Tomato
Why not compliment a beautiful album with some beautiful fine art on the cover? Remove the text and we could see this artwork hanging in a gallery somewhere.
Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Label: mau5trap
Year: 2010
Art Director(s): ROBOTO
Skrillex pretty much stuck with the same artwork for three EPs, but the color combination just works with this one.
SBTRKT - SBTRKT
Label: Young Turks
Year: 2011
Art Director(s): Matt de Jong
Matt de Jong's direction and the mask by A Hidden Place combine to make one of those albums you are forced to notice, but not because of shock value like a lot of desperate bands. The image is interesting and the masks are a part of SBTRKT's identity so it only makes sense that one made the cover.