10 Best Rock Music Album Covers Of The 2020s So Far
It's only been a few years, but there have already been some amazing rock album covers.
It would be easy to assume that, in an age where most artwork is presented in the form of a thumbnail, the designs of album covers simply aren't as important as they once were.
Their original mission statement - to catch the eye of prospective customers browsing the shelves in record stores - is completely defunct now, as most consumers will just download or stream their music without even looking at the art on the front of the record.
Despite all the evidence to suggest that album covers are on the way out, instead, certain modern acts have defied all expectations and are still producing fantastic pieces of visual art to this very day.
Rock music is a great place to see this phenomenon in action, as the 2020s have already given fans some fabulous images to gawk at. Artists old and new have really stepped up their game, producing work that will, hopefully, be remembered as some of the decade's best once all is said and done.
Who knows in what state the music industry will be come 2029, but you can rest easy knowing that the album cover will probably still be going strong.
10. The New Abnormal - The Strokes
The sixth studio album from indie rock pioneers The Strokes was recorded over a period of three years before finally getting its release in April 2020. Little did the band know how apt its name would be by the time it actually came out.
The New Abnormal not only summed up the state of the pandemic-stricken world, but it also marked a return to form for these noughties favourites.
More mature songwriting and increased band interplay were highlighted as strong points of the album, which scored rave reviews across the board and peaked at number eight in the US charts. Sure, it was no Is This It, but that's a high standard.
The album's cover also isn't as iconic as the famous 'bottom picture', but it is still a delight to look at. It's a painting by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, originally created in 1981 as a tribute to jazz drummer Charlie Parker.
As well as being bright and colourful, the painting's abstract nature means you can look it in multiple different ways. Does it have much to do with the record? Not really, but that doesn't disqualify it from greatness.