The Worst Album Covers Of 2016

Worst album covers 2016
Worst album covers 2016 | © Soft Hair/GOOD/Def Jam/Drag City

There are many parts that go into crafting an album: the music, the personalities of those behind the music, the marketing campaign, the press coverage, the tours, and the artwork. In a time before streaming services and blog coverage, the latter played a much larger role — having an appealing cover often determined whether those browsing CD outlets or flipping through vinyl crates would purchase your body of work. While visual appeal rarely determines depth of crowd today, there is still something to be said about an engaging cover, and the same goes for those that are decidedly lacking.

We have been blessed in audio output these past 10-and-a-half months, but there have also been some real disappointments on the artwork end. From some of the most anticipated albums to drop this year to the obscure and simply horrifying, these are the worst album covers of 2016.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Tindersticks – The Waiting Room

Great album, terrifying choice of headwear.

Tindersticks “The Waiting Room”

Kanye West – The Life of Pablo

For someone who is so passionate in design, we expected more.

Kanye West “The Life of Pablo”

Too Many Zooz – Subway Gawdz

Somebody call James Franco or Mark Whalberg. Or Jason Clarke. Or Charlton Heston.

Too Many Zooz “Subway Gawdz”

Ty Segall – Emotional Mugger

Nope. Kill it with fire.

Ty Segall “Emotional Mugger”

Elton John – Wonderful Crazy Night

We’d like to imagine this is Elton John’s “I’m totally having a wonderful, crazy night” pose.

Elton John “Wonderful Crazy Night”

Red Vox – Blood Bagel

Why would anyone attempt to ruin bagels?

Red Vox “Blood Bagel”

Yanni – Sensuous Chill

A little spicy. A little icy. All Yanni.

Yanni “Sensuous Chill”

Redfoo – Party Rock Mansion

Beer bong? Rad. Scandalous photo of a female who appears to be biting at some guy’s underwear? Sweet. Random bro with an obnoxiously giant chain throwing up the metal horns? Sick. Welcome to party rock mansion. Check out: Never, bro!

Redfoo “Party Rock Mansion”

Sia – This Is Acting

The permanent fish face makes us very uncomfortable.

Sia “This Is Acting”

The Hotelier – Goodness

The Hotelier’s third album is one of 2016’s best. Its cover is not.

The Hotelier “Goodness”

Sei2ure – Vibrator

Well then…

Sei2ure “Vibrator”

Elisa – On

Save the kittens for the “Hang in There” posters.

Elisa “On”

Elliphant – Living Life Golden

What is that creature?

Elliphant “Living Life Golden”

Soft Hair – Soft Hair

Surely, even Adam and Eve needed sunscreen.

Soft Hair “Soft Hair”

Pixies – Head Carrier

We’re not really sure what’s going on here, but with such a boilerplate effort (at best) on their sixth album, we’re not too eager to figure it out.

Pixies “Head Carrier”

Scooter – Ace

It looks like someone just discovered Photoshop.

Scooter “Ace”

Super Guitar Bros – Nice.

The duel turtleneck approach is bold. You have our respect, Super Guitar Bros.

Super Guitar Bros “Nice.”

Nick Jonas – Last Year Was Complicated

Nick Jonas has so many emotions.

Nick Jonas “Last Year Was Complicated”

Good Charlotte – Youth Authority

After 14 years, Good Charlotte progressed from the “young and hopeless” to the “youth authority,” and they’re still a terrible band.

Good Charlotte “Youth Authority”

Humo – Fiera / Aljarafe

Even muscle-bound freaks need to cool off and take a cat nap in front of a fan sometimes.

Humo “Fiera / Aljarafe”

Cyndi Lauper – Detour

Oh no, Cyndi Lauper, ranch rope font?

Cyndi Lauper “Detour”

Yung Bae – Skyscraper Anonymous

Everything about this cover is nonsense, but the music will have you groovin’ through every second of its 11 tracks. Shoutout to the classic school picture backdrop.

Yung Bae “Skyscraper Anonymous”

Yuck – Stranger Things

Seriously, yuck.

Yuck “Stranger Things”

Poppy – 3 : 36 (Music To Sleep To)

What is she wearing?

Poppy “3 : 36 (Music To Sleep To)”

Garbage – Strange Little Birds

This weirdly reminds me of the Elephant Graveyard from The Lion King. This isn’t a good thing.

Garbage “Strange Little Birds”

Korn – The Serenity of Suffering

It takes a certain kind of person to appreciate Korn’s music. It takes an even more unique individual to appreciate their…artwork.

Korn “The Serenity of Suffering”

Steven Tyler – We’re All Somebody from Somewhere

The only thing more questionable than the cover of Steven Tyler’s solo debut is its title.

Steven Tyler “We’re All Somebody from Somewhere”

Lumpy & The Dumpers – Huff My Sack

Why?

Lumpy & The Dumpers “Huff My Sack”

Poliça – United Crushers

Again, not really sure what is happening here.

Poliça “United Crushers”

The Tragically Hip – Man Machine Poem

Naked babies shouldn’t be thrown into the air for album covers.

The Tragically Hip “Man Machine Poem”

Ninja Sex Party – Under The Covers

This album is meant to a be a joke, so, really, this cover is a success.

Ninja Sex Party “Under The Covers”

Pitbull – Climate Change

We’re not entirely sure if this is the cover of Pitbull’s upcoming album, but whatever it ends up being, we don’t like it.

Pitbull “Climate Change”
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article