Coldplay - X&Y
The cover of Coldplay's third album X&Y was created by designers Mark Tappin and Simon Gofton. The coloured block are a graphical representation of the Baudot code, an early form of telegraph communications that used ones and zeros. When translated using the cipher provided in the album's liner notes, the blocks reveal 'X9Y'. It is unclear whether this was a genuine mistake or a deliberate attempt to confuse anyone who might try to decode it.
The dark blue background emphasises the colour of the blocks and allows them to be presented without interruption as the main focal point of the cover.
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico
The album cover for The Velvet Underground & Nico was designed by Andy Warhol and shows a banana in the classic Warhol print style. The cover is notable as on the original release of the album, the banana was a sticker, which, when peeled back revealed the flesh coloured interior of a banana beneath.
Although the cover cost more than most others, MGM decided that it was worth paying for, as an album with close ties to an iconic artist such as Andy Warhol was sure to sell in huge volume.
This album was made during the band's transition to a more punk oriented band so the banana could be a metaphor for that, although it is just as likely an abstract print that Warhol and Lou Reed liked.
Bo Burnham - Words Words Words
The cover of Words, Words, Words shows a picture of the artist, Bo Burnham, made up of lyrics from songs on the album. This release is considered the most serious he has released to date and the cover reflects this in comparison with his previous two.
Being a comedian and starting his career posting videos to YouTube back in 2006, he is often considered an unconventional artist and Words Words Words is a way of pushing his style in a new direction.