Top 6 Fantastical Album Covers Hand Drawn By Their Musicians: The Underrated Visual Artist

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Album cover arts somehow lost their importance in the wake of what I like to call ‘the virtual revolution’. Fewer customers are actually buying physical CDs or LPs nowadays, which is yet another unfair hit on the art scene and artists. I don’t know about you, but when I buy a music cd (whether online or in the store), I am always intrigued by the cover art. Album covers are extremely expressive and convey the theme of the overall music in the album in a beautiful creative way. Music and art go together like peanut butter and jelly, a perfect sandwich of awesome, this post attempts to prove exactly that.

I have nothing against digital art, but I seem to gravitate toward the fantastical charm of traditional art more. So without further ado, here are some of my personal favorite album covers I have collected over the years all Hand drawn by their respective musician.

1. The Flaming Lips, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, by American artist and band vocalist Wayne Coyne

Wayne Coyne is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the band The Flaming Lips. The band was formed in 1983 and is still kicking it till today. The cover is simple and charming, it reminds me of my childhood adventure. That pink robot is adorable and that little girl with the weird hairdo just hit home! www.flaminglips.com/

2. Gu-o (尾), Hypnotic, by Palestinian-American artist and Diversion Mixer Bissan Rafe

What can I say about this cover! I came across it while I was in Japan. Bissan is an underground painter, musician and writer since 2007. I love the screaming red and blue contrast here. The art describes the music perfectly, a hint of drowsiness in a crazy yet fantastical land! www.nohra-studio.com

3. 10 Years, Feeding the Wolves by American artist and the band vocalist Jesse Hasek

Jesse Hasek has been the lead vocalist for 10 Years since 2002. The cover is self explanatory of the album’s title but once you listen to the music, you will start to appreciate it more. I love the hazy feels of the colors and how they blind well. The hue of the overall image sets the tune for the music. I just love it, so powerful! www.10yearsmusic.com

4. Les Discrets, Septembre et Ses Dernières Pensées by French artist and band vocalist & guitarist Fursy Teyssier

Fursy Teyssier is a French songwriter, multi-instrumentalist musician, painter, animated film director and lead vocalist & creator of shoegazing band Les Discrets. The cover fits perfectly the shoegazing genre. It is dark and fantastic. I love the soft lines Teyssier used. It reminds me of one of those dark fairytales with a bit of Tim Burton feel to it. www.fursy-teyssier.squarespace.com

5. Joni Mitchell, Song to a Seagull

Joni Mitchell is a talented singer and songwriter, but I am sure you already know that, she’s also a talented visual artist. This beautifully illustrated cover from the 1968 is psychedelic and colorful; a mind-bending imagery and a collectors’ item for sure. www.jonimitchell.com

6. Nujabes, Metaphorical Music by Japanese Musician Jun Seba

Jun Seba was a Japanese DJ and hip-hop producer. His music feels like a flow of water coupled with soft electricity. I love all his album covers and this one is no exception. The watercolor and flowery feel to his work is mesmerizing and beautiful. www.hydeout.net

Feel free to share your thoughts and your favorite album covers.