They're awful and in 5 years these covers will look so dated (sans Azealia's). Artpop, 1989, My Everything, Rebel Heart, etc. all look better than the ones in the OP.
If you look back at the greatest/most iconic album covers of all time (Rumours, Thriller, Abbey Road, Control, Dark Side of the Moon), they weren't trying to be something they're not, which can't be said for the ones in the OP.
It's only "cool" to have an "artsy" cover if the art is meaningful. Most of those covers have zero meaning, and are just trying to be "artsy" just for the sake of being "artsy," i.e. "Anti," "Cruel Summer," and "Magna Carta Holy Grail."
"The Pinkprint" cover isn't "artsy." It's very tacky, and very literal, and very visual uninteresting. Conversely, Azealia Banks "Broke With Expensive Taste" cover has a sense of genuine artistic quality, while fitting the album content perfectly, making it a great cover that clearly has a focus and a meaning. Some rappers are naturally visually artistic (Azealia Banks, Kanye West, Kesha) and others are just fake, visual poseurs (Jay Z, Nicki Minaj, Frank Ocean).
...Vin
Every time I lose faith in you, you come and SPILL the tea again
They're awful and in 5 years these covers will look so dated (sans Azealia's). Artpop, 1989, My Everything, Rebel Heart, etc. all look better than the ones in the OP.
If you look back at the greatest/most iconic album covers of all time (Rumours, Thriller, Abbey Road, Control, Dark Side of the Moon), they weren't trying to be something they're not, which can't be said for the ones in the OP.
I will say that the MOST successful album covers use pure, distinct iconography wisely instead of the "artsy" concepts and bold visual treatments seen in the OP.
Case in point:
These >>> "artsy" ones >>>>> lazy ones with a simple photo and type
