ANALYSIS OF MUSIC MAGAZINE COVERS

Rianne Addo 12R

Title/Masthead: Key image on top of the title of the magazine. Suggests that magazine is significant and well known. Reinforced by well-known music artist.

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Matching Typography , Lead Story and blue, white and black colour scheme -creates consistency between artist (in black and white clothing) and magazine (in black, white and blue)-reinforces that the magazine is a well-known magazine and Taylor Swift (the key image) is a well-known artist. Link between artist and magazine status wise which is again emphasised in the lead story “Radio Ruling”- suggests she is significant in the music industry. However “Boyfriend Trashing” encourages me to connect that aspect of her with celebrity lifestyle seen in the tabloids rather than her music.

Puff- added in this magazine to add validity to why the artist is on the front cover of this well-known magazine.

Sell lines- artists such as Nirvana (rock) and Gnarls Barkley (soul) are in different music genres than Taylor Swift (Pop), so the purpose of these sell lines are to attract a wider audience, as people who aren’t the biggest fans of Taylor Swift may also buy the magazine for the other artists.

Magazine touches upon the different aspects of the music genre- from pop artists, to how music is consumed. May also touch upon Celebrity lifestyle e.g relationship statuses.

Key image/ focal point: takes up most of the magazine, suggests that she is significant and well known in the music industry. Tells reader that she is the main focus in this issue of the magazine. Posing with hand on her hip- confidence- a characteristic seen in a lot of pop artists, conforms to other artists- audience will be able to identify with this artist like they do with other pop artists.

OVERALL MESSAGE:

Subheadings- completely different topics compared to lead story, shows that magazine is broad with the music news they include. Varied interests within the music industry.

Regular features- ‘Tech Special’- facts about media consumption. Added extra that audience may be interested in

Matching Typography , Lead Story and pink, white and black colour scheme -creates consistency between artist (in pink lipstick) and title (in pink, white and black)-reinforces that the magazine is a well-known magazine and Katy Perry (the key image) is a well-known artist. Link between artist and magazine status wise which is again emphasised in the lead story “KATY PERRY TURNS IT UP” in large bold font- suggests she is significant in the music industry

Title/Masthead: Key image on top of the title of the magazine. Suggests that magazine is significant and well known. Reinforced by well-known music artist.

Sell lines- artists such as Lil Wayne (Hip Hop/Rap) and Kings of Leon(rock) are in different music genres than Katy Perry(Pop), so the purpose of these sell lines are to attract a wider audience, as people who aren’t the biggest fans of Katy Perry may also buy the magazine for the other artists.

OVERALL MESSAGE: Magazine focuses on music primarily however acknowledges the media as a whole.

Key image/ focal point: takes up most of the magazine, suggests that she is significant and well known in the music industry. Tells reader that she is the main focus in this issue of the magazine. Mouth open with tassel on her bra is risqué, conveys her personality/persona in her music and also in her personal life as ‘Katy’s Kisses’ have nothing to do with the music industry, more about personal life (relationships for example). She is also faced sideways which is unconventional- perhaps unconventional and unique music artist?

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Subheadings: ‘Holy War’ and ‘Merchants of Pollution’ don’t relate to music directly, suggests that this magazine doesn’t only focus music industry, but touches upon the media in general

Title/Masthead: In white with different colours-– could be seen as magazine that glorifies achievement in the music industry through variety of bright colours which implies positivity.

Lead story/Cover story: Artists name in same colour as the well known Magazine ‘Billboard’ - symbolises her significance in the music industry- famous, well known and successful- therefore can attract more readers. Puff underneath her name “NO.1, DIGITAL SALES RECORDS”- adding validity to her being on the cover of this magazine- again suggesting that this magazine glorifies achievement in the music industry.

Key image/ focal point: takes up most of the magazine, suggests that she is significant and well known in the music industry. Tells reader that she is the main focus in this issue of the magazine.

Subheadings: includes stories about songwriters and music charts- encourages us to believe that this is a magazine for the music industry. Is business based- technical qualities about music industry are highlighted.

Sell line: reinforces the fact that this magazine is about the music industry as L.A. Reid is featured- a record executive. Appeals to business portion of music industry more the consumers.

Barcode OVERALL MESSAGE:Magazine that focuses on business side of music industry as opposed to the generic celebrity aspect of the music industry- seen through the main story in this edition is glorifying success of artist Ke$ha sales wise.

Title/Masthead: In red colour, alarming- suggests that this magazine is well-known and is based on popular culture as the logo attracts attention through its alarming colour.

Subheadings: Not many subheadings, only various artists names. This could mean that this edition of Spin Magazine’s focal point is Azealia Banks (main image). Other Artists don’t conform to the artists’ music genre, therefore infers that this magazine focuses on popular culture of artists and is a very broad music magazine.

Key image/ focal point: takes up most of the magazine, suggests that she is significant and well known in the music industry. Tells reader that she is the main focus in this issue of the magazine. Her clothing and hair doesn’t necessarily complement the logo which implies that she is an unique artist, reinforced through the Puff ‘THE WILD STYLE OF POP’S FIERCE NEW FACE’. This is emphasized through her pose which is not a conventional pose for a female artist- this points towards her character of perhaps being spontaneous which is heard in her music.

Lead story/Cover story: ‘Here comes Azealia Banks’ encourages the audience that although she is a new artist, she has already become well-known, made an impact in music industry,

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OVERALL MESSAGE: Magazine focuses on Pop Culture and is broad in the genres of music they listen to.