The Grammy for Best Album Cover (through its evolving incarnations as “Best Recording Package” or “Best Album Package”) has honored some of the most memorable album sleeves in music history. The category has shifted names and definitions over time, from distinct classical and non-classical awards in the early 1960s, to “Best Album Package” in the 1970s, to “Best Recording Package” from 1994 onward. Despite these changes, the impact of album art remains undeniable. Here are the winners from 2020 through 2025.
 

2020: Chris Cornell – Chris Cornell

Designers / Art-directors: Barry Ament, Jeff Ament & Joe Spix
The cover presents a close-up portrait of Chris Cornell, capturing subtle facial expressions and shadow. The composition centers the figure against a muted background, with naturalistic lighting that draws out mood and depth. The design directs attention to the subject’s presence, with minimal distractions from typography or additional graphic elements.

2021: The Desert Sessions – Vols. 11 & 12

Designers / Art-directors: Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto
This cover features an abstract desert landscape rendered in vivid, irregular shapes. Layering of forms and contrasting textures create a sense of movement, while the composition balances chaos and structure. Color choices and line work highlight the experimental nature of the music, resulting in a visual rhythm that mirrors the unconventional character of the album.
 

2022: Pakelang by 2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group & The Chairman Crossover Big Band

Designers / Art-directors: Li Jheng Han & Yu Wei
This 3D sculpted-paper design constructs a representation of Taiwan’s eastern coastline. The physical depth and layering of paper create dimensionality, while the textures and folds generate subtle shadows that highlight the contours. Typography is minimal, allowing the sculptural elements to dominate the visual hierarchy. The design focuses on tactile engagement and spatial composition rather than traditional illustration.

2023: Beginningless Beginning by Tamsui-Kavalan Chinese Orchestra 

Designers / Art directors: Chun-Tien Hsiao & Qing-Yang Xiao
The cover uses layered imagery and fragmented geometric forms to create a complex visual narrative. Typography and layout are integrated into the composition, blending with the imagery rather than standing apart. The overlapping elements generate a sense of depth and movement, encouraging viewers to navigate the space visually and notice subtle details. The design draws attention to conceptual structure and compositional intricacy over decorative elements.

2024: Dry Cleaning – Stumpwork

Designers / Art-directors: Rottingdean Bazaar (Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck) & Annie Collinge
The cover uses a bar of soap with hair arranged to form the word “Stumpwork.” Close-up photography draws attention to texture and irregularity, while the visual pun creates tension between the familiar and the absurd. The layout is centered and direct, relying on physical materials and composition to attract visual attention rather than color or typographic complexity.
 

Charli XCX – BRAT (2025)

Designers / Art-directors: Brent David Freaney & Imogene Strauss
The cover employs a single lime-green background with minimal black type. Its high-contrast, flat-color approach underscores simplicity and legibility, turning reduction into a visual statement. The centered, uniform typography gives the album a distinctive visual identity that stands out among surrounding releases in both physical and digital contexts.
 

Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II: The Lost Albums (2026)

Designers / Art-directors: Meghan Foley & Michelle Holme
The box set brings together seven previously unreleased albums, each presented with its own artwork and visual identity. Archival photography, bold typography and a restrained color palette connect the individual covers, while the outer package organizes them into a single collection. The design reflects the archival nature of the project while allowing each lost album to stand as a distinct release.