Michael Mayer - Mantasy artwork by Wolfgang Voigt

Link: Kompakt

The long awaited album by, Kompakt boss, Michael Mayer has just been released - a whole eight years since his Touch long-player. The artwork for Mantasy - as it is titled - has been created by Kompakt co-founder Wolfgang Voigt; an individual known for making his own music while operating under guises such as Mike Ink, Centrifugal Force and Gas.

Incorporating collaged vintage details, it relies on the kind of glitchy digital manipulation that was previously seen on Voigt's 'For The Love of God' release. Additionally, two deluxe vinyl editions have been made available that both rework the cover art as a repeat pattern on a 35" x 35" silk scarf. The two available options are 'Golden Cherub' and 'Blue Cherub'. For those less flamboyant fans, it is also available on CD and download.

 

Peter Gabriel - So box set by Marc Bessant

Link: Marc Bessant 
Link: Peter Gabriel 

It seems that anniversary editions and deluxe box sets are everywhere - with many recent cash-ins seemingly testing that definition of "classic". However, Peter Gabriel's fifth studio album (that contained, huge international hit, 'Sledgehammer' and Kate Bush collaboration 'Don't Give Up') has now been remastered as a timely reminder of its enduring qualities.

With its multiple vinyl, CD and download content alongside a 60 page case-bound book, the Marc Bessant-designed So 25 set additionally demonstrates Gabriel's commitment to work that is beautifully realised. And its the attention to detail - particularly the subtle embossed icons - that make this a worthy follow-up to Bessant's sumptuous packaging for the artist's Scratch My Back long-player.

Forward Strategy Group - Labour Division packaging by Adult Art Club

Link: Adult Art Club
Link: Perc Trax

Released by the Perc Trax label is the Labour Division album by Forward Strategy Group. The CD version fits neatly in a metal tin - hinting the recordings' industrial edge - with a full colour, four page booklet designed by Adult Art Club. The cover additionally has a tough aesthetic with its suspended, brutally sliced classical statue perhaps evoking the dream-like work of Giorgio de Chirico.

Wallzo's sleeve for Hot Chip's Ready for the Floor long-player also seemed to touch on the same artist's imagery although this, with it's ominous - maybe apocalyptic - landscape, is somewhat darker whilst all that concrete-like grittiness is offset nicely by Adult Art Club's more minimal detailing.

Nitemoves - Longlines by Jakub Alexander

Link: Jakub Alexander
Link: Moodgadget
Link: Nitemoves

Also known by the musician/DJ alias of Heathered Pearls while additionally the founder of Moodgadget Records and music curator of the respected IS050 blog, Jakub Alexander additionally completed artwork for Nitemoves' long-player.

An electronic opus from an individual previously spotted drumming with, two Ghostly-signed acts, Com Truise and Tycho, Longlines was first unleashed last month. Now that digital release is also joined by a limited edition cassette complete with bonus tracks. Its run of 100 copies should start shipping tomorrow.

Matthew Dear - Beams by Michael Cina

Link: Michael Cina
Link: Ghostly International
Link: Matthew Dear

Following the dark visual and sonic aesthetic associated with Matthew Dear's Black City long-player, Beams - his upcoming album - has a very different feel. There's a more optimistic approach here that, in terms of both sight and sound, was evident on his 'Headcage EP'. And it has continued through, catchy new single, 'Her Fantasy'.

For the artwork, Michael Cina's use of colour is clearly suggestive of the new direction, but texturally - lacking the smokiness and grittiness of Black City - it also feels more joyful (whether that's applied to his abstract or more figurative imagery). Cina says:

"The Beams project has been the most ambitious music packaging project that I have worked on to date. It started in November of 2011 and ended in May of 2012. The full scope involves almost 100 paintings, two of the paintings being 20 feet long, flying to NYC to be filmed painting a six foot portrait, another portrait that took two months to paint, a custom typeface, and countless designs. There will be four singles to come off this record as well, each requiring new pieces as well."

Rinse Presents: Roska 2 artwork by Give Up Art

Link: Give Up Art 
Link: Rinse

Designed by Give Up Art's Stuart Hammersley, the latest album on Rinse contrasts hugely with the mix series he's packaged for the label/station alongside, photographer, Shaun Bloodworth. While the latter has boasted stark, street tough portraits that are lifted by single bands of colour, the latest Roska album utilises the labelling grid seen on Give Up Art's design for the earlier Brackles CD over an expanse of bright graphics. It magnifies those Lichtenstein-evoking halftone patterns for a fun, maybe summer-y exterior card case that is juxtaposed with the far more minimal monochromatic jewel case that's contained inside.

Teengirl Fantasy - Tracer artwork by Kari Altmann

Link: Kari Altmann
Link: R&S 

After collaborating for the 'Portofino' video back in 2009, Kari Altmann has put together the artwork for Teengirl Fantasy's upcoming album. There is seemingly a kinship with the synthetic qualities of Konx-om-Pax's cover for Lone's Galaxy Garden that was released recently on, the same label, R&S. That said, Altmann's work has explored technology-based aesthetics for a considerable amount of time. A particular interest appears to be based around a 'hacker'-like approach with this - of faked, filtered and modified nature - an unsettling yet dream-like visual to accompany the U.S. duo's maximalist electronic output.
  
  

Rudi Zygadlo 'Melpomene' by Sam Chirnside

Link: Sam Chirnside
Link: Planet Mu

Artwork for an appropriately dramatic 7" single by Rudi Zygadlo - coming up on the sonically and visually reliable Planet Mu label. (Chirnside previously worked on sleeves and logos for the stable's Tropics, Ital, DJ Diamond and Kuedo.) Out 2nd July 2012.

Jeroen Erosie interview at Dummy

Link: Jeroen Erosie interview

“Doing the artwork for a wide range of producers is a nice way of looking for this Gesamtkunstwerk approach. In the end, all of this is concentrated on this plastic disc with a piece of cardboard around it."

Mat Maitland from Big Active selects covers from his record collection

The Modular label highlights the London-based creative director's discussion of those sleeves that dominated his youth.

Link: Crate Minds
Link: Big Active
Link: Leopardtreedream