Taylor, Sabrina, Cardi B: Album Variants Reflect Both Capitalism & Pressure on Female Artists

In this op-ed, writer Ana Beatriz Reitz Gameiro argues that multiple album variants from artists like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B, and more are fueled by both capitalism and pressure on women musicians.

When we think of recent iconic albums, it’s not just the songs that come to mind, but also their covers. Think of Lana Del Rey’s Norman Fucking Rockwell!, with its moody, comic book-style aesthetic. Then there’s Beyoncé’s futuristic, disco-glam Renaissance. And let’s not forget Charli XCX’s grotesque neon green BRAT. Sometimes, an image really is worth a thousand words. And in 2025, some musicians are taking that literally, rolling out multiple alternative covers for a single album.

This isn’t exactly groundbreaking — for example, Taylor Swift has been mastering the art of alternate covers for years, from the woodsy charm of folklore to the moody black-and-white options of The Tortured Poets Department. But the twist this year? The trend has officially escalated.

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On June 11, Sabrina Carpenter announced her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend. The original cover featured the star kneeling on the floor while a man pulled her hair. It didn’t take long for Carpenter’s picture to set off a big debate online. Some netizens posted that the cover looked misogynistic or overtly sexual — a label that has followed the musician since she was dropping innuendo-laden “Nonsense” outros in 2022. In the weeks following the entire tumult, Carpenter unveiled four alternative covers. In one, the artist is surrounded by a bunch of vibrant flowers in a well-lit room. In another, she is at a fancy restaurant table surrounded by five men who all kind of look the same. And in a third, she references the quintessential Marilyn Monroe. Lastly, there’s the exclusive Spotify picture disc, which features Carpenter lying on grass with a dog by her side.

The phenomenon didn’t stop with the “Tears” singer. In July, Mariah Carey revealed two sleek B&W alternate covers for her recent album Here For It All, which dropped September 26. Cardi B, never one to miss a trend, followed suit. In the midst of court appearances and many headlines, the rapper unveiled a lineup of alternate covers for her forthcoming album Am I The Drama?, out September 19. The covers include some of her most viral courtroom facial expressions, a pink extravaganza, a retro-futuristic ’60s vibe, and even a bob moment.