Artists often appear nude or partially nude on album covers to symbolize vulnerability, rebellion, or a connection with nature. These bold visuals are more than just attention-grabbing—they serve as artistic statements that reflect deeper themes of freedom, sensuality, and self-expression.
 

Nude album covers, in particular, function as visual metaphors for innocence, openness, or breaking away from societal norms. They’ve sparked admiration, debate, and even controversy, especially in music genres known for pushing boundaries. At times, such imagery has led to censorship, restricted distribution, or heated legal battles—further cementing their place in pop culture history.

The following list explores ten of the sexiest and most iconic album covers that left their mark not only for the music they represent, but also for the provocative, daring artistry of their visuals.

1. Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (Expanded Edition) - Shakira

The album’s cover was inspired by the biblical figure of Eve.

Shakira designed the artwork for both Oral Fixation records, explaining that she wanted “to attribute to Eve one more reason to bite the forbidden fruit, and that would be her oral fixation.” She added, “I’ve always felt that I’ve been a very oral person. It’s my biggest source of pleasure.”

The second volume’s cover features an unclothed Shakira, partially concealed by branches and leaves, holding an apple in her hand. The baby girl she cradled on the first volume’s cover now appears sitting in the tree—an allusion to Sigmund Freud’s theory that infants first explore the world through their mouths during the oral stage of psychosexual development.

2. The Remix (International Version) - Lady Gaga

The Remix is a remix album by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, released in 2010.

The album has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling remix albums of all time.

3. Cuz I Love You - Lizzo

Cuz I Love You is the third studio album—and major label debut—by American rapper and singer Lizzo, released in 2019.

The cover art, which features Lizzo posing nude, was praised by Paper magazine as “a stunning glow-up, and a transformation for Lizzo.” The magazine added: “Fat, and especially fat and Black bodies, are rarely treated with such care by photographers, let alone on album covers that will sit on Target and Walmart shelves.”

4. Revival - Selena Gomez

Revival is the second studio album by American singer Selena Gomez, released in 2015.

The album’s original artwork is less recognized, as it was soon replaced by a black-and-white deluxe edition cover later that year.

5. Unapologetic (Deluxe) - Rihanna

Unapologetic is the seventh studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna, released in 2012.

Rihanna explained the title: “I named my album Unapologetic because there is only one truth, and you can’t apologize for that.”

VH1 ranked the album cover number one on their list of The 30 Hottest Naked Album Covers Ever.

6. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

Teenage Dream is the third studio album by American singer Katy Perry, released in 2010.

The album cover—painted on a 6x6 canvas by artist Will Cotton—shows Perry lying nude on clouds of pink cotton candy. Cotton titled the artwork Cotton Candy Katy and later art-directed the video for “California Gurls.”

7. Venus - Zara Larsson

Venus is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer Zara Larsson, released in 2024.

The digital cover art reimagines Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, depicting Larsson partially nude with flowing golden hair, holding a pink chrome seashell. An “H” tattoo on her arm honors her late sister, Hannah.

8. Diamonds & Dancefloors - Ava Max

Diamonds & Dancefloors is the second studio album by American singer Ava Max, released in 2023.

The album features three official covers, all shot by American photographer Marilyn Hue.

The main artwork was captured after filming the visualizer for “Dancing’s Done,” showing Max reclining on blue diamonds with silver ones scattered near her head.

9. Solar Power - Lorde

Solar Power is the third studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde, released in 2021.

The cover was photographed by Lorde’s friend Ophelia Mikkelson Jones on a beach. Lying on the sand, Jones captured the shot from below with a fisheye lens as Lorde leaped mid-air above her, wearing a yellow rash guard and swimsuit.

10. Liz Phair - Liz Phair

The self-titled Liz Phair is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 2003. Often called “the white album” due to its minimalist cover—a plain white background with her name in sans-serif font—the record marked a major stylistic shift toward pop, receiving mixed reviews (per Vulture).

Bonus Tracks
 

Camila - Camila Cabello

Camila is the debut solo studio album by American singer Camila Cabello, released in 2018.
The cover shows Cabello seated in a dress and flip-flops, with the album’s title displayed in bold letters at the center. Both the cover art and booklet were photographed in Little Havana, Miami, Florida.

Love Sexy - Prince

Lovesexy is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, released in 1988.
The cover—based on a photograph by Jean-Baptiste Mondino—sparked controversy upon release, as it depicts Prince nude. Some record stores refused to stock it or sold it wrapped in black. Notably, Lovesexy was issued as a replacement for the hastily withdrawn The Black Album, which featured a completely black, achromatic cover.