Indie pop source

Indie music has always celebrated artistic depth, with fans appreciating not just the sound but also the multiple layers of creativity. While the music itself being the primary form of artistry, many artists also express themselves through the use of visual, theatrical, and other forms of art. Indie music album covers have always been a highlighted piece of indie music’s collective scene.

The visuals accompanying indie music are often obscure and unexpected, provoking the reaction of “What even is this supposed to be?” Indie music album covers have their own unique aesthetic, often reflecting the lo-fi soundscapes that they represent.

This year has seen a wave of impressive indie music releases. From Mk.gee to Mac DeMarco, many artists have unveiled distinctive artistic expressions through their album covers. Here are some of this years standout releases with particularly intriguing visuals.

• Mk.gee, ROCKMAN. Listen Here. This album cover is one of the rawest of the year, featuring the arm and legs of Michael Gordon (Mk.gee) pointing a pistol at a drum machine. The unedited photo, showcasing tangled cables and a firearm, captures an amateur photographic look through its lighting and color.

• Loving, Any Light. Listen Here. Loving’s second LP features a cover that presents a monotone naturescape framed by a white border. This simplistic design carries a hint of mystery, a style that has recurred throughout the genre over the years.

• Daryl Johns, Daryl Johns. Listen Here. Daryl Johns’ self-titled debut album, set for release on November 22nd through Mac’s Record Label, showcases a distinct lo-fi visual aesthetic in both the album cover and in music videos. The distorted colors and pixelated text contribute to the project’s vision.

• BOYO, It’s Confidential. Listen Here. Released on September 6th, BOYO’s single features cartoon artwork that depicts essential indie artifacts, including a laptop, keyboard, and floppy disks, all resting on top of a tangle of cables.

• Mac DeMarco & Ryan Paris, Still What I’m Looking For. Listen Here. Known as the “Prince of Indie Rock,” Mac DeMarco often embraces obscurity in his cover art. While his latest collaboration with Ryan Paris strays from that trend, the cover remains one worth mentioning. It echoes the waterfront theme seen similarly in his 2015 album, Another One. The cover is almost identical with the addition of the birds and of course Ryan Paris.

Indie music album covers have consistently provided thought-provoking visuals that accompany the music. Over the years, many great examples have come to light. Feel free to share some of your favorite indie music album covers, past or present, below!