More than half a century after it quietly disappeared, one of the Grammy Awards' most visually driven honors is making a comeback.
The Grammy Awards have officially reinstated the Best Album Cover category for the 2026 ceremony, which marks the first time the award will be presented in 53 years. The last time the category appeared was in 1973, when it was awarded to The Siegel-Schwall Band for their self-titled album. Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon and Aladdin Sane by David Bowie were among the other nominees.
In the early 1970s, when the award category made its last appearance, the album artwork was still inseparable from the experience of listening to music. It seems that sentiment has finally returned.
"In today's digital world, album covers are arguably more impactful than ever," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. in a statement. "Chances are, there's an iconic cover that's instantly recognizable to you, even if you never owned the physical album. Their cultural significance is undeniable."
Despite being in an era in which album artwork is often reduced to thumbnails on streaming platforms, album covers continue to shape how music is received. It marks the difference between vinyl reissues, special editions, deluxe boxed sets, and even social media visuals and tour branding. Album artwork is inextricably linked to the listening experience.
What has changed, however, is the album artwork itself. A look back at past nominees reflects art-heavy images, often abstract illustrations— take, for example, Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin. But this year's nominations are all about portraiture. In fact, four out of the five 2026 album cover nominees are portraits of the artists themselves.
It's not that portraits as album covers is a new concept. Aladdin Sane's album cover was a portrait of Bowie, after all. But, it's the trend that best reflects the state of album art in the age of streaming. Furthermore, this years marks a major shift in the industry as artists step into the role of art director, largely orchestrating the visuals of their own albums.
The 2026 Grammy nominees for Best Album Cover are:
CHROMAKOPIA, Tyler Okonma, art director (Tyler, The Creator)The Crux, Jake Hirshland, Joe Keery, Neil Krug, Taylor Vandergrift & William Wesley II, art directors (Djo)Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, art director (Bad Bunny)Glory, Cody Critcheloe & Andrew J.S., art directors (Perfume Genius)moisturizer, Iris Luz, Lava La Rue & Rhian Teasdale, art directors (Wet Leg)Hence then, the article about best album cover returns to the grammys for the first time after 53 year absence was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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