Working in unison, the two come together to form a cohesive body of work, a piece of art which clearly depicts a narrative. 

So much insight into the melodies and lyrics can be gained from a singular album cover; this is an image created to perfectly encapsulate the narrative depicted by music, after all. 

Perhaps the cover which immediately comes to mind when thinking about the relationship between album artwork and music is the incredible ‘Virgin’ by Lorde. This album is an introspective body of work, exploring themes such as intimacy and gender expression in a touching and poetic manner. The cover shows a pelvic X-Ray, which also displays an IUD, belt, and jean zipper. Immediately, it is apparent that this is a deeply personal record; it is an insight into the singer’s own relationship with her femininity and body politics. The presence of an IUD is another crucial element of this album cover, which enables listeners to understand concepts explored throughout the record. A standout track, ‘Clearblue’, sheds light on the multitude of emotions felt following a pregnancy scare, and the freedom experienced in relation to sexual intimacy. Alongside album artwork, physical media also portrays Lorde’s transparency on the record - the CDs sold are completely see-through. Ultimately, the aesthetics associated with this record do a stellar job in portraying key themes of the album - they both revel in transparency and honesty. 

Another album cover which sheds light on the music’s meaning flawlessly is Rachel Chinouriri’s debut album, ‘What A Devastating Turn Of Events’. This cover shows the singer standing outside a council estate house with multiple St George’s flags draping the walls. This spreads an incredibly poignant message; Chinouriri is reclaiming her national identity from a society that historically disapproves. The 14-track project chronicles Chinouriri’s upbringing and experiences as a Black, working-class woman in a tender and emotional manner. Songs like ‘I Hate Myself’ and ‘My Blood’ talk of mental health struggles and the debilitating inner turmoil that accompanies them. Arguably the most emotionally devastating track, however, is the title track which tells the story of the singer’s cousin’s tragic suicide, following an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. The cover also shows Chinouriri standing with her guitar - a nod to the fact that music is a strong force, one which is a comfort and helps to understand big feelings. 

Album covers also are able to shed a lot of light on the artist’s own personality, something which so often can be heard through their art. A prime example of this is Holly Nicholson’s ‘heartbreak era’. The six-track debut EP has been described by the artist as “a celebration of growth”, chronicling life after the devastating loss of a first love. This EP is evidently full of passion, and the cover is no different. The cover was shot in the Lake District, the singer’s self-proclaimed happy place. Just like the tracks, the cover is full of Nicholson’s personality. A better cover couldn’t have been chosen for a debut EP - this image does an excellent job in establishing the singer’s brand, making it effortlessly distinguishable from other artists and easy for fans to connect with the music and artist alike. 

The power of album artwork is truly magical. Encapsulating the essence of a full body of work with a singular image is hard, yet it is done effortlessly over and over again. The power of aesthetics and acoustics working hand in hand is amazing to see as a consumer; the shared creative forces of many result in an art form so pure, bringing joy to listeners and artists alike. 

Hanna Makowska

@hansgigs 

Image: ‘Virgin’ Official Album Cover