The 66th Grammy Awards for Best Recording Package were:
The Art Of Forgetting (Caroline Rose)
Cadenza 21′
Hsing-Hui Cheng, art director (Ensemble Cadenza 21′)
Electrophonic Chronic
Perry Shall, art director (The Arcs)
Gravity Falls
Iam8bit, art director (Brad Breeck)
Migration
Chang Yu Chung, Li Jheng Han & Yu Wei, art director (Leaf Yeh)
The Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package are our favorite categories.
These categories are all about celebrating the craftiness, the innovation, and the sheer wow-factor of album cover designs and packaging.
And, if you know us, that’s what we’re all about!
Now let us all admire the nominees for each category…
Table of Contents
BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
#1. The Art of Forgetting
Artist/s: Caroline Rose
Art Director: Caroline Rose
Caroline Rose’s third studio album, The Art of Forgetting, is up for grabs on three different 2 12” vinyl album versions — Neon Green, Clear Audiophile Collector’s Edition, and Exclusive Unique Eco Mix.
Let me tell you, this album is a rollercoaster of emotions, a raw and honest collection that Caroline crafted during one heck of a tough period in her life.
And you can see it right there on the album cover: Rose chilling on a sofa, barely dressed, blindfolded, holding a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, all while the room’s going up in flames.
Check out our 12-inch vinyl record pressing
#2. Cadenza 21’
Artist/s: Hsuan Chang Kitano
Art Director: Hsing-Hui Cheng
Cadenza 21’ is an album by Hsuan Chang Kitano, a Taiwanese producer, harpsichordist, and pianist. This is all about diving into identity, expression, and creativity through musical performances that blend different cultures together.
And the whole deal of the CD album packaging is to make reading way more fun and interesting through design. That’s why Kitano chose Star Cheng for the job. She’s a paper artist, graphic designer, and top-notch illustrator that could make it happen!
And get this—her stuff? It’s so good that it got a Grammy Awards nomination and made the shortlist for some big shots like the World of Illustration and London Design Festival
#3. Eletrophonic Chronic
Artist/s: The Arcs
Art Director: Perry Shall
After their 2015 debut album Yours, Dreamily, The Arcs followed it up with Electrophonic Chronic. The album’s a mixture of neo-psychedelic roots, soulful fire, some dusty grooves, and rock that’ll blow your socks off.
And let me tell you, Perry Shall, the art director, absolutely nailed the vibe of this album. From jazzing up its 12-inch vinyl record to spicing up the front cover of the vinyl jacket.
He went all out with neon colors and even added this cool zoetrope design to one side of the vinyl record. It’s a total psychedelic trip for both your eyes and your ears!
Check out our custom vinyl printed single jackets
#4. Gravity Falls (OST)
Artist/s: Brad Breeck
Art Director: iam8bit
Many years in the making, the very special OST release of the all-time favorite mystery-comedy animated series, Gravity Falls, was released last year.
And it definitely did not disappoint its fans. Cuz’ the album’s visuals? Oh they’re so lit!
They’ve got all the weirdness drawn and colored-in on this gatefold jacket. And if you think you’ve seen enough with the front cover, there’s more to come when you open it up and see its inner artwork. The vinyl sleeves are no joke too!
#5. Migration
Artist/s: Leaf Yeh
Art Director: Yu Wei
Now we’re switching gears from that color explosion to something super sleek and modern: Migration.
It might not catch your eye at first glance, but guess what? It’s hiding some serious tricks up its sleeve. Take a peek at the cover—two circles with these long cuts in them. Twist those circles and boom! Words start popping out.
But wait, there’s more to this party. Crack it open and start flipping through the pages and you’ll spot two mind-bending optical illusions. They feature feline creatures—one’s sprinting, while the other’s sneaking out of its secret spot. And that’s where the album title makes perfect sense!
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#6. Stumpwork
Artist/s: Dry Cleaning
Art Director: Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck
The final contender for this category is Stumpwork by Dry Cleaning.
This album was inspired by a bunch of events, concepts, and political mess-ups. And let me tell ya, the packaging is top-notch.
The clever minds behind this album went all out. They wrote the album’s title in what looks like hair on a used bar of soap. I mean, seriously, who comes up with that kind of genius idea? It’s next-level creativity, for sure!
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BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE
#7. The Collected Works of Neutral Milk Hotel
Artist/s: Neutral Milk Hotel
Art Director: Jeff Magnum, Daniel Murphy & Mark Ohe
What’s Inside:
- two 24” x 24” Folded Posters
- On Avery Island 2-LP Gatefold
- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Gatefold LP
- Live at Jittery Joe’s 12-inch Picture Disc
- Everything Is 10-inch Vinyl Record
- Ferris Wheel on Fire 10-inch Vinyl Record
- Little Birds (Live) b/w Little Birds (Demo) 7-inch Vinyl Record
- Holland, 1945 b/w Engine 7-inch Vinyl Record
- You’ve Passed b/w Where You’ll Find Me Now 7-inch 7-inch Vinyl Record
The Grammy nominated album packaging is a reissue that was initially exclusive to the band’s online store. All its components are neatly arranged within a 12″ two-piece telescoping case-wrapped box.
The interior fitments have been revamped to enhance durability, and the vinyl records are all in black. Additionally, the jackets are printed on upgraded cardboard stock to achieve a more vivid and consistent color.
Related Article:
Classic Black Vinyl Records With Modern Vinyl Packaging
#8. For The Birds: The Birdsong Project Vol. I
Artist/s: Various Artists
Art Director: Jeri Heiden & John Heiden
What’s Inside:
- Booklet
- Index
- 20 12-inch Vinyl records in Printed Inner Sleeves
For the Birds: The Birdsong Project presents a compilation of 172 original musical compositions inspired by the captivating melodies of birdsong.
These pieces are performed by artists spanning from various genres. The deluxe box set comprises 20 LPs, each adorned with unique cover art.
Additionally, the collection includes 73 bird-themed poems, spoken words, as well as short stories. These literary pieces are narrated by renowned voices such as Robert Pattinson and Greta Gerwig.
The proceeds generated from the sale of this exclusive compilation, as well as supporting events, will be devoted to the preservation of birds and their essential habitats—ensuring their well-being today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
#9. Gieo
Artist/s: Ngot
Art Director: Duy Dao
What’s Inside:
- 4 Posters
- Lyric Cards
- Photobook
- Notepads
- Stickers
- Seeds
- Foam for Sowing Seeds
- Gieo CD
Gieo is Ngọt’s fourth studio album which is a Vietnamese word that translates to “planting the seed or an idea.” The album title’s origin explains the inclusion of seeds and foam for sowing in the album.
And to make it more eco-friendly, the album also had hand-crafted recycled cardboard packaging.
Guided by Duy Đào’s artistic direction, the promotional materials for the album showcase a distinctive palette of psychedelic colors, featuring striking contrasts in shades of orange, electric blue, magenta, and yellow. This explosion of vibrant colors is concealed within the unassuming exterior of a dull brown-colored cardboard package.
#10. Inside: Deluxe Box Set
Artist/s: Bo Burnham
Art Director: Bo Burnham & Daniel Calderwood
What’s Inside:
- 3 Single Vinyl Jacket
- 3 Inside Window Clings
- 12” x 12” Signed Art Card
- 24-page Lyric Book
- 3 RGB Colored Translucent Outer Sleeves
- 3 RGB Colored 12-inch Vinyl Records in Printed Inner Sleeves
Inside is a 2021 musical special by American comedian Bo Burnham. Last year, an eponymous deluxe box set on vinyl was released. This exclusive collection includes 13 outtake tracks and another 13 score tracks.
The box set features a diverse range of songs and sketches that offer a glimpse into Burnham’s everyday life indoors.
It candidly portrays the comedian’s declining mental well-being and delves into themes of performativity, examining his relationship with the internet and the audience it has connected him with.
Furthermore, the content addresses significant topics such as climate change and social movements.
#11. Words & Music, May 1965 Deluxe Edition
Artist/s: Lou Reed
Art Director: Masaki Koike
What’s Inside:
- Saddle-stitched, Die-cut, 28-page Book
- CD in Die-cut Jacket
- 7-inch Vinyl Record in Die-cut Jacket
- 2 12-inch black vinyl records in Die-cut Gatefold Jacket
And we’re down to the last nominee of the category.
Words & Music, May 1965 was released in tandem with the late artist’s 80th birthday celebration.
Masaki Koike’s choice of cutting little holes on the jackets and book cover gives that subtle message of letting listeners see through Lou Reed.
This ingenious concept aligns seamlessly with the album’s offer of an extraordinary and unfiltered insight into him.
After seeing these nominees, imagine yourself as one of the voting members.
Which albums would you have casted your votes on?
I know. It’s not easy!
Head on over to the Grammy site to find out the winners.
And remember, if you’re an artist and you want to make badass cd and vinyl packaging, hit us up!
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
