Rating my albums of the year but it’s only based on the cover art

2024 completely ripped for music—so many albums stunned me this year, and some of them shot straight to the top of my all timers list. A whole bunch of new (to me) artists made a serious impression on my Spotify Wrapped.

But, to be honest, it was mostly just a 2023 Chappell Roan hangover dominating my brain. If you’re looking to avoid a bit of work watch her VMAs performance, it was Joan Of Arc realness and on par with the Lady Gaga Paparazzi performance from 2009 (IYKYK).

Narrowing it down to a top 10 was an absolute ordeal because each album means something different to me. But, at least I can be totally objective when it comes to judging album covers, because if there’s one thing I have strong opinions on, it’s How Things Look.

In no particular order:

Brittany Howard – What Now?

I’m loving the psychedelic colours and the oversaturation of the environment, the whole photo feels cohesive and really pulls you into a calm and optimistic moment in time. The whole world sprawling ahead of you, lush layers of nature backdropped with a perfect blue sky.

I tend to feel like a photo of the artist is a cop-out for the cover of an album, but when that photograph is a work of art its a whole different story.

 

4/5

 

Cassandra Jenkins – My Light, My Destroyer


Pulling up the edge of the universe to reveal its gorgeous metallic texture, the cover compliments the feeling of loneliness, expansiveness and attention to detail that this album offers. The textures in the music and the cover feel so complimentary. 

 

5/5

 

Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

 

While I love this album, this image gives a great representation of the music. I cant help but feel more could have been done with the cover of such a perfect album.

 

2/5

 

Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Past Is Still Alive

 

Cowboy hat? Yes. steel tub? Yes. lovely bit of hand drawn type? YES!

4/5

 

St. Vincent – All Born Screaming


If you are including fire i’m going to give you an extra point. Actually that’s all i’m going to say

5/5

Rachel Chinouriri – What A Devastating Turn Of Events


Rachel Chinouriri’s album blew me away this year, it’s connection to my beloved South London and her distinct writing style and voice really made this a superb album and artist i’m already wanting to her more from. The design so perfectly expresses where she grew up and compliments the songs incredibly well. THIS is how you do an artist portrait cover.


4/5

Charli xcx – BRAT

What more can be said about brat that hasn’t already been said? The cultural and societal shift that came from this particular shade of green has meant that if this isn’t the Pantone colour of the year there might be a Gen-Z riot.

4/5

Oso Oso – life til bones


Yeah it rocks. If i was to remove a point it would be that i’m overall quite disappointed that we’re seeing less type led album covers, but this one really does it for me. Party skeletons? Come on.

3/5

Los Campesinos! – All Hell


Spooky, Creepy, Demonic rear view lights, that exact feeling on being in complete darkness in a wooded area? (just me?) This one is so very well done.

5/5

MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks


We have illustration! Not to mention character illustration from the songs? Yeah I love this.

5/5

Don’t Forget Me – Maggie Rogers


I’m sorry Maggie, this isn’t doing it for me. While I love the film feeling and the intimacy of the close up, it pales in comparison to the more conceptual covers from earlier.


2/5


You can listen to the albums listed here (as well as a few others) on spotify


Thankyou for indulging me in this very superficial feat, until next time