This is by far my favorite end-of-year list to create. At the end of each year, we review the incredible moments in country music, from our favorite records to the best collaborations, our favorite discovered artists, and songs we wish came out as singles. It's a great way to look back, celebrate the year, and remember every moment. While we patiently wait for the big reveal of the Whiskey Riff Top Albums of 2024 list, I like to reflect on a part of records that are sometimes overlooked—the album art. F-1 Trillion, Post Malone Post Malone's debut country record, F-1 Trillion, kicks things off on this list. Released in August, the video truck took social media by storm when the record was announced. Shot by Gonzalo Lebrija, the album artwork shows the country with a twist style of music that Malone featured throughout the tracklist. Let's be honest, too—it's just cool. Seeing this truck seemingly levitating over a body of water with a scenic backdrop captures fans' attention before they even listen to the record. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8xF9_6J0C6/ Rhinestoned, Maggie Antone https://www.instagram.com/p/C72Je0hPEVh/?img_index=1 Twisters: The Album, Various Artists This record was hands down the best soundtrack of the year. Not only did it feature a laundry list of country music's best talent, but each song on the record featured songs that stayed true to the artists featured while still fitting the electric tone of Twisters, the film. Given they paired this record artwork with the lead single, Luke Combs' "Ain't No Love In Oklahoma," it sets the tone for the fast-paced, thrilling film. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCHiSxIPS6l/ Leavin' This Holler, 49 Winchester https://www.instagram.com/p/C-LWcr7ukGH/?img_index=1 Survived, Lost Dog Street Band I love everything about this album cover. The vintage feel of the image featuring Benjamin Tod and his wife perfectly matches their old-timey, classic country twang. Given that Tod draws a lot of inspiration for his songwriting from historical events, often expanding on real people's stories and tales, looking at this album cover feels like you are looking back in time. It's rugged and a little eerie, and you do not know who these two people were on the cover; you'd think they have seen and lived quite a life and could fill novels full of stories. While Tod has lived many lives and gone through events most folks won't, that description isn't too off. https://www.instagram.com/p/C6PSnQrv7XZ/?img_index=1 Made By These Moments, Red Clay Strays Made By These Moments is a clean, straightforward cover representing everything the Red Clay Strays stand for. They don't have many frills during their shows, stand on business, and are the real deal when it's time to perform. It's clean and simple and lets the incredible piece of work behind the art speak for itself. https://www.instagram.com/p/C7RmYEVI-AI/?img_index=1 9 Lives, Koe Wetzel 9 Lives was more than a record for Wetzel as he entered a new chapter of music. Wetzel shared with fans a vulnerable side we had not seen much of until this record's release. Koe also lets fans into his past through artwork highlighting the record. The house featured on the front of 9 Lives is where Koe used to live. During a sit down with Dale Brisby, Koe said: "So that's where I grew up. That was the house I grew up in. We shot the video for 'Damn Near Normal' and that was inside the house. And you know there's so much nostalgia and stuff. You know, growing up it was the biggest house in the world, you know? Now, going back in, like it's crazy small it is, because it's a single-wide house.  We weren't set on the album cover yet; we had a couple of ideas." Wetzel then asked his photographer, JP, to take a picture of the house, as he felt it was the perfect day with the sun going down. Once JP sent Koe the image, he knew it had to be the cover for the record. https://www.instagram.com/p/C9lCARmRBai/?img_index=1 $10 Cowboy, Charley Crockett https://www.instagram.com/p/DCKI5qSvP8U/ Welcome to The Plains, Wyatt Flores Wyatt Flores is known for his stellar album and EP artwork, and Welcome to the Plains is no exception. The Oklahoma native really leaned into his Red Dirt roots during this project, and the artwork flawlessly reflects that. Snippets of historical events are placed throughout the cover, using a clip art style, to show the rich history of the land he calls home and how it's changed, burned, and thrived over the years. This is the type of album artwork you could spend hours looking at and still find new aspects of- like a "Where's Waldo?" page but better. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_QhD8BRWJT/?img_index=1 Thus Spoke The Fool, Pony Bradshaw https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cULRYOdM9/ Trail Of Flowers, Sierra Ferrell 2024 was the Era of Sierra, so it would be wrong not to include her at the top of this list. When the Trail of Flowers album artwork was unveiled, it was left speechless. Not only does this look like a piece of hanging art as it is, but it represents Sierra Ferrell fully. It's vintage feeling, whimsical, complex, and leaves you wanting more- just like Ferrell's music often leaves her fans feeling. This album artwork was hands down my favorite from the year and is a perfect representation of who Sierra Ferrell is. I'm unsure how Ferrell and her creative team will top this record art, but I know she will also blow the next out of the water. Trail of Flowers gets a chef's kiss. https://www.instagram.com/p/C40djHAuk2Z/