ANALYSING BACK COVERS

CODY SIMPSON – SURFERS PARADISE (POP)

The same font which is used for the title of the album on the front cover is also used on the back for the track list the style of the font is handwritten this reinforces the idea that the music on the album is personal to the artist, as they’ve written it themselves like it is a diary/notebook. Especially as the writing on the album looks like Cody’s actual handwriting.

This feature would appeal to fans as they would feel that by listening to the album they are getting an insight to Cody’s inner thoughts, feelings and personal life. Using the appeal of a celebrity’s personal life in order to sell an album is a common marketing technique, especially for artists who keep their personal life so private like Cody as it appeals to fans who want to find out more, and also humans have a natural instinct to be nosy. Also using the same font connects the back cover to the front cover and increases the continuity.

Institutional conventions of there being a barcode and writing about who it was produced and made by etc are also shown on the back cover.

Record label logo of ‘Alantic records’ is shown on the back cover, so audiences know which label the album was released under, also if they like the album they can look at the label and see which other artists are signed and then listen/buy their music too, producing more money for the label. It also works the other where if someone picks up the album not knowing who the artist is but see its released under Atlantic records and their favourite artist is signed to alantic records they might be more inclined to purchase and listen to this album.

The cloud design from the front cover is continued onto the back cover, this again creates a continuity between the front and back cover. Also reinforces the light hearted vibe which the album has.

Institutional convention of having the track list displayed on the back cover.

Front Cover

ADELE – 25 (SOUL)

Institutional conventions of having the track list, barcode, production rights and record label logos are shown on the back cover .

The image used of Adele on the back cover is similar to the one used on the front, this creates continuity between the front cover and the back cover. The picture shows Adele resting her her in a relaxed and a common soulful pose. She’s looking directly into the camera as if she is looking at you, this would create a connection between her and the fans who look at the back cover of the album, this implies that the songs on the album are going to be personal and revealing and will strengthen the connection between Adele and her fans as she gives them an insight into her personal life. Adele is known for having emotional and personal songs on her album, this is the same for 25.

Front Cover

Again, this reinforces the fact that record companies use the idea of revealing an artists personal life in order to sell records. Adele who is know for being a very ‘real’ yet private artist appeals to her fans, who want to know what her private life is like, because she is portrayed as very open and real in interviews fans believe that her albums tell them parts about her personal life too, which isn’t always the case. However, record companies will play on this in order to sell records, in a open letter about the album posted onto twitter Adele said “25 is about getting to know who I’ve become without realising.” This obviously would appeal to fans as it suggests the album will allow them to find out even more about Adele, even things she didn’t know about herself.

KANYE WEST – YEEZUS (RAP)

Kanye follows institutional conventions of back cover to an extent by included the barcode and record label logos.

However, Kanye also challenges institutional conventions with this album as he does not include a track list on the back cover. Kanye West can get away with doing this simply because he is Kanye West, he has such a big brand name and the album ‘Yeezus’ had so much hypability and talkability at the time of it’s release that he knew fans would buy the album anyways, without including a track list, just because of his brand name. Reinforcing the idea that with this album Kanye is selling himself as a person and as a brand rather than his music.

There is no design on the back cover, the case is just clear so you can see the CD, this implies that with this album Kanye has no secrets, he has nothing to hide and therefore wont hold back, his music on the album will be personal and reveal a lot about him or situations. Again selling his personal life and Kanye as a brand rather than his music.

The front cover is similar to the back cover as it is also transparent, the title isn’t shown which also again reinforces the idea that Kanye West has a strong brand and therefore doesn’t need to show his name/title on the cover. This also creates continuity throughout the digipack.

Front Cover

The 1975 – I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it (INDIE POP)

The 1975 completely challenge all institutional conventions of back covers as they do not show case a barcode, record label logos, production rights or even a track list. However similarly to Kanye West they are able to get away with this as the album had so much hypability and talkability as it was the first album of their revolution.

Instead of having a tracklist they just show the title of the album, as it is not shown on the front cover. As The 1975 have a strong brand name, it reinforces the idea that they are selling themselves as a brand rather than their music by not showing any of their music on the album, therefore if people brought the album they would be buying it purely because it is The 1975.

On the front cover the same neon lettering Is shown, also for the album prior to this one, they include the same neon letting on the front and back covers this not only creates continuity between the front and back cover of this album but also between the front and back cover of the previous album.

Front Cover