Male Album Cover Art That’ll Make You Thirsty | Playlist 🎧

Male Album Cover Art That’ll Make You Thirsty features hotness courtesy of Charlie Puth, Jung Kook, Mike Taveira, Omar Apollo, and Troye Sivan.

For the most part, this list is not about the music – it’s about the steaminess of the album or single cover art accompanying the music. Basically, we’re totally objectifying these male musicians, who provided us with the source of our thirstiness.  Blame it on them, in all their skin baring, often bare-chested glory. If this artwork, or the analysis of the artwork, is a catalyst for listening to these talented musicians, that’s a bonus, right? Right.  So, with that said, lets dive right into Male Album Covers That’ll Make You Thirsty, shall we? Some of the hotness on this sequel to 33 Album Covers Where the Men Show Some Skin (2018) arrives courtesy of Charlie Puth, Jung Kook, Mike Taveira, Omar Apollo, and Troye Sivan. Prepare to be hot and bothered guys and girls!

1. Troye Sivan, Something to Give Each Other 

Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd. // 2023  

Admit it, you totally feel the “Rush” eying the cover art for Something to Give Each Other. How could you not? Troye Sivan is a handsome, talented musician without question.  From his perspective, we know he’s shirtless in the photo, but we don’t even get a chest shot – just neck, and a satisfied smile. Why is he grinning from ear to ear? Well his neck is placed in front of a naked man’s ding-a-ling, to quote the late, great Chuck Berry.  Honestly, we see more of his buff boyfriend (or whoever he is) than Troye, which, in this case, is a pro.  The man is sculpted with strong thighs, veins popping out of his arms, and a toned chest. Among the year’s more risqué album covers, what can’t be denied is both the art and most notably, the sexiness.  A rush is felt indeed!  

2. Jack Harlow, Jackman. 

Generation Now / Atlantic // 2023

Jack Harlow seems like a nice guy. Furthermore, he’s not bad looking, TBH. Is it the curly hair? Maybe, it’s the eyes.  Anyways, musically, folks are mixed on the Grammy-nominated rapper, namely between his albums Come Home the Kids Miss You and his brief, 2023 album, Jackman.. For Jackman., Harlow ] poses shirtless in front of a neighborhood in the Highlands in Louisville, KY. Interesting, to say the least. Objectively speaking (😝) Harlow has a nice physique, mind you, and we get to spy his torso (the belly button is an innie), chest, and muscular arms 💪.  However, not everyone felt as thirsty for the Louisville-bred rapper’s album cover art, which was roasted online.  He does look pale, part of the effect of this particular photograph.   

3. John Legend, LEGEND 

John Legend Music, Inc. / Republic // 2022  

John Legend has experienced plenty of success in his music career.  He’s won an Academy Award, not to mention multiple Grammys. In addition to his talent, Legend is fine 🔥.  Yeah, I said it, and honestly, who would deny it? One of the best parts of his 2022 album, LEGEND, which performed tepidly on the charts, is the album cover.  The talented musician looks as dashing as ever in this ‘refined,’ shirtless pose.  While we don’t get to thirst over his torso, we do see him clasping his hands in front of his sculpted chest and shoulders.  Also, the lighting and look on Legend’s face find him embracing his ‘legendary’ status – or something like that.  Still, something tells me John would’ve preferred more people be purchasing and  streaming his album than talking about his physique on the cover art.  

4. The Drums, Jonny 

Anti // 2023 

Jonny Pierce of The Drums bares it all on Jonny. Literally. And no, I’m not talking about the music but rather, the album artwork.  Clearly, Pierce is comfortable and secure in revealing himself to the world because that’s exactly what he does (no complaints, BTW).  On the most revealing version of the cover, we see the full moon, if you catch my drift.  Specifically, Jonny is on his knees, ass out, with his elbows propped on his desk chair. His head is in his hands appear to be in a praying motion.  Regardless of if they are or aren’t, it’s hard not to focus on the musicians back, specifically, his backside.  In more tame (censored) covers, the handsome, musician is sitting nude in a recliner – no undies perceptible! And no, you can’t see his ‘little Jonny!’ In this shot, we see legs, thighs, and chest.  Either way, Pierce’s openness with his body seems to in tandem with the music on the album.  He bares it all!   

5. Omar Apollo, Ivory 

Warner // 2022  

Handsome, handsome, handsome.  That’s Omar Apollo, period.  Musically, he’s talented, talented, talented. But, today, we’re focused on this gay pop standout being shirtless, shirtless, shirtless.  That’s right, on Ivory, his 2022 debut album, Mr. Apollo posed without a shirt, and he did so fabulously.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know that because of the effects, we don’t see every detail of the perfect musician’s perfect bod, but, we get a glimpse, and that’s sufficient.  Of course, beyond Ivory, all one has to do is Google and there a plenty of pics of Omar showing what his mama gave him.  If you got it, flaunt it.  Omar, you got it, therefore, you should flaunt it. PERIOD! 

6. Sam Smith, Gloria 

Capitol // 2023 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Piers Morgan, quite the opinionated person, is no fanboy of Sam Smith, or at least his antics in 2023 – which are “Unholy” and “Vulgar” (see the hyperlinked segment). However, the Academy and Grammy Award winning musician seems to be comfortable in their body regardless of what others say. Rather than serve up a clothed cover for his 2023 album, Gloria, Smith shows off some skin. Smith is tamer on the cover art of Gloria compared to his more provocative nature while touring and performing live shows.  Here, we see a hint of chest, shoulders (including some tats), and their best feature, their face. Smith may not be chiseled, but, their still handsome – the eyes in particular. Nothing too “Unholy” to see here folks!  

7. Jung Kook, Golden  

BIGHIT MUSIC // 2023 

Jung Kook – “What a man, what a man, what a man / What a mighty good man!” More like, what a mighty fine man.  Notably, the South Korean pop artist wasn’t even born when that beloved, Salt-N-Pepa / En Vogue hit was released.  Still, the sentiment of the chorus perfectly describes his handsomeness on the cover of his debut album, Golden. In this case, Jung Kook is wearing clothing, which is different from most of the men on this objectifying list.  Still, Jung Kook is not that innocent! He’s wearing a suit, but his shirt is see-through! Therefore, he doesn’t make us imagine what’s underneath! We see his belly button! We also see his abs! And what about that sculpted chest? Jung Kook is, indeed, golden with that snatched bod. We’d all allow him to be “fuckin’ [us] right,” “Seven” days a week!  

8. Charlie Puth, “Lipstick”  

Atlantic // 2023 

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to describe Charlie Puth as weird. The good news is this adorkable musician is not only talented, but easy on the eyes.  Still, his own thirstiness and sexcapades are, um, something else. Where Puth makes us thirsty though is anytime he takes his shirt off, PERIOD.  His single, “Lipstick”, failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.  However, the cover art didn’t fail to catch our eyes.  It’s the sexy, shirtless pose, a hint of nipple, and the lighting. Adorkable, but also eff-able 😈. 

9. Grant Knoche, “Intrusive Thoughts” & I Could Just Die Thinking of Us 

GRANT KNOCHE // 2023 

He may be young, but he’s hot stuff. 21-year-old Grant Knoche is not lying when he sings, “LOOK AT ME RIGHT NOW”, asserting, “This is what hot shit looks like.” Agreed.  While I heart his confidence and self-assuredness on “LOOK AT ME RIGHT NOW,” It’s his “Intrusive Thoughts” that really get us going. Well, those intrusive thoughts of the song do makes us ‘perk up’ – “Tug on my shirt now I can’t speak / Lips on my neck so I can’t breathe” – but it is the cover art that totally titillates us! What is Knoche working with and showing off? Why, a toned mid-riff, and jeans – already unbuttoned – being unzipped 😈.  Of course, what about the cover art for his album, I Could Die Just Thinking About Us? Grant looks ripped with his shirt off. Hopefully, he’s not actually being struck by lightning.  We’ve got to protect this handsome, talented musician!  

10. Mike Taveira, Bloom All Night & “Sujo”  

Mike Taveira // 2023 

If you look in the dictionary, under the word hot, there is a picture of Mike Taveira. Not only does the pop artist bring the heat with his sensual music, but he also brings the heat with his often shirtless, ‘make you hot and bothered’ album cover art.  On his 2023 EP, Bloom All Night, Taveira bares it all for us.  That sentiment seems to match the EP, which is both sexy but also deeper than it sexual vibes. The cover is dark, but Taveira’s beautiful skin shines through, as does his muscular frame.    

Even prior to it blooming all night, what about “Sujo”, easily one of the sexiest songs of 2023.  Whereas we don’t see all the features on the cover art of Bloom All Night, on “Sujo,” we get all the tings! By all the tings I mean a hint below the belt (respectfully looking, of course), midriff, chest, arms, and a wire surrounding all that manliness! “Sujo” is a NSFW song, and the same can be said of the cover art.  Even Taveira’s back on the cover art for “Chained” is worth mentioning… WOO!  

11. Josh Levi, Disc Two (Scratched Up) 

Raedio LLC / Atlantic // 2023 

We’ll keep it short and sweet on this one fellas and ladies! Josh Levi = incredibly easy on the eyes.  Josh Levi = should never wear a shirt.  Josh Levi on cover art of his 2023 album, Disc Two (Scratched Up) =  impure thoughts with his sexy, shirtless self.  Adding to the sexiness are those leather jeans. Let the masterpiece speak for itself.   

12. serpentwithfeet, GRIP  

Secretly Canadian // 2024

Cutting straight to the chase, serpentwithfeet (Josiah Wise) is serving up ample gayness on the cover art for his 2024 album, GRIP. How so? Well, him and his presumed partner are cozied up, nude on the bed.  Specifically, his partner is laying on Wise’s bare chest while Wise has this, almost demonic look in his eyes. I wonder if, indeed, him and his boo wear the “Same Size Shoe”?  

13. Maluma, “Coco Loco” & Don Juan 

Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC // 2023 

Maluma is straight – sorry gays 😢. However, about anytime you want to partake of his body, in an objectifying manner, just Google him. The Colombian stud knows he’s the shit and he’s unafraid to bare it all.  Should he ever wear a shirt? No.  Does he ever wear a shirt? Doesn’t seem like it.  The cover artwork for the single 🎵 “Coco Loco”, is quite distracting 🌡️ 🥵 😈! Maluma knows there is NO WAY that he won’t be objectified by showing those sweet abs, muscular arms. Sadly, the love below is censored by his coconut 🥥 (🤣), but you can’t have it all, can you? Before even listening to the Colombian heartthrob sing a note, “Coco Loco” gives five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – hell, maybe more! Sadly, Maluma doesn’t bare more on the covert art of his 2023 album, Don Juan, but he is still shirtless – just from the back.  And that back looks good!  

14. Del Water Gap, I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet 

Mom+Pop // 2023 

When you think of Del Water Gap, it’s the music that draws the most attention. S. Holden Jaffe is, like so many of the artists on this ‘trashy’ list, gifted.  Still, even the most gifted souls enjoy showing some skin sometimes and look good doing so.  Is Jaffe going for sex appeal on the cover of his 2023 album, I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet? I’m not certain.  But, there’s just something about his emotional, shirtless shot – a hint of hairy chest, arm and finger pointed upward – that hits different.  The keyword is, hit.

15. Mad Tsai, “Boys Beware”  

Mad Tsai // 2023 

There is no doubt in my mind that Mad Tsai has to fend the boys off! He may be mad, mind you, but he is one handsome fella. Look at him – that chiseled physique, and that cute face! Notably, he’s bi, but, he’s recorded many songs about the boys lately. The one that makes us feel some type of [naughty] way is “Boys Beware” from 2023. Mad Tsai didn’t even show us much skin on the cover art, but what he did show us was enough to make us ooh and aw! Picture it, a hot boy with his jeans unbuttoned, the waistband of his undies showing (with MAD printed on them), and he’s lifting his shirt to reveal his chiseled midriff (there’s V lines, baby). Holy sugar honey iced tea, that’s hot!   

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16. Binoy, “BoysBoysBoys” 

Binoy Zachariah // 2023

A song about boys feels fitting to discuss on this list, which is boy-centric to the nth degree.  Binoy gets in on the boys action with “BoysBoysBoys”, a truly great song from 2023 that deserved wider recognition. The song, in this case, is as sexy as the cover art.  The Kenyan musician is wearing a shirt… sort of.  The good news is, it’s a revealing shirt, tailor made for a fun night at the gay club.  What does Binoy reveal? Tummy, chest, and shoulders, all the while showing off his dashing looks and flawless skin. Slay king, slay! 

17. Elliott Norris, “Watch Out For the Big Boys” 

Elliott Norris // 2023 

Just a reminder, all shapes and sizes are always welcome on The Musical Hype!  That’s part of the reason why it’s important to shout out Elliott Norris and his December 2023 single, “Watch Out For the Big Boys”.  Elliott Norris is shirtless on the cover, but, we don’t see much. No worries, of course.  Follow Norris, who embraces his bigger frame, and he’s free of shirt quite frequently 😉. That said, it’s the guest bearish guys that draw the most attention, with Elliott sandwiched in between.  

There are undoubtedly more guys baring it all, but we’ll end the thirst here.  And by the way, don’t hold your breath I’ll write any list quite like this ever again!   

Male Album Cover Art That’ll Make You Thirsty (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Anti, Atlantic, BIGHIT MUSIC, Binoy Zachariah, Capitol, Elliott Norris, GRANT KNOCHE, John Legend Music Inc., Mad Tsai, Mike Taveira, Mom+Pop, Raedio LLC, Republic, Secretly Canadian, Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC, Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd., Warner; András Matesz, David Lago Rodríguez, Евгений, Marlon Schmeiski, Nikita Skripnik, RDNE Stock project, Udith Babu KN, William Adams from Pexels]