2. The CD album cover title ‘LOUD’ is written in Arial font which is one of the simplest form of
typography. Although, the text is placed at the bottom part of the album is white making
the main focus of the album the main image. Similarly, each letter is spaced out across the
album, this connotes how music is loud and can travel across. The unpretentious form is
noticeable but doesn’t lose the main image of the album.
The main image is of Rihanna with her new red hair which contrast with the red lipstick.
Red is symbolised for many things from blood to love. However, this case the symbol of red
is linked with strong emotions of excitement, energy, passion, etc. connoting the album
title ‘LOUD’ which links with the colour red as it is a bright shade of red making it stand out.
Additionally, the main image is framed to take up the whole album cover
Page because these affect emphasis on the red lips and hair. For instance; the red lips are positioned in the centre on the
album cover right above the cover letters in the word ‘LOUD’ which makes the audience focus on Rihanna which
displaces the importance of the title of album suggesting that the album is based more on Rihanna as a person; which is
also indicated by a BCU (big close-up) shot of Rihanna’s face which emphasis her femininity: the sensuous red lipstick,
long eyelashes and averted gave make her seem alluring but demure.
The genre of this album is R&B (which is more associated with the artist personality and experiences) and soul; this is
inferred by the colour red, as it is a symbol of passion implying how the album is going to be passionate and sensual, as
the only thing that is presented on the cover is her red lips, hair and skin connoting the sexual aspects as there is no
clothes visible and her eyes are closed suggesting that she is in the state of ecstasy or pleasure. This is supported by the
tracks on the album such as; S&M, Skin and California King Bed, etc.
This album appeals to men and teenage girls for different reasons, for example men will be drawn to they sexual features
of the album from the connotation in the main image. Whereas, teenage girls may idolise her appearance and her
success.
Additional Information:
Rihanna’s album ‘Loud’ was released on November 15, 2010 in the UK; and the album
debuted at number two in the United Kingdom, within the first week and sold 91,000 copies;
by the fifth week LOUD sold 306,107 copies, giving the singer her first platinum-selling week
in her career. It was also the biggest selling R&B album of 2011 in the UK.
3. The album ‘I AM… SASHA FIERCE’ which implies that this
album is personal, as Beyoncé alter ego on stage is called
‘SASHA’; as Beyoncé has said in an previous interview that
‘SASHA’ is a ‘FIERCE’ person and completely different to
show is as a normal person, indicating that album is going
to be about her alter ego and experiences she has had.
This is implied by the names of Beyoncé's songs e.g. ‘DIVA’
which connotes the word ‘FIERCE’ as it is associated with
be unrestrained, wild and out-going person.
Additionally, it seem the album title is introducing the
world to Beyoncé's alter ego as it starts by saying ‘I AM…’
stating that your introducing your self.
Moreover, the ‘FIERCE’ in the album title is contradicted by the
crucifix in the image; as I had stated before the word ‘FIERCE’ is
a symbol of the unrestrained person. Whereas, the crucifix is a
symbol of Christianity, belief’s and tied to god (calm person).
However, the position of the crucifix is above her name
‘BEYONCE’ highlighting that ‘BEYONCE’ is the calm and less
confident person; and her alter ego ‘SASHA’ is the unrestrained
and out-going person.
The main image is quiet similar to Rihanna’s album ‘LOUD’ as
they both go for a feminine look. The is portrayed by the nude
make-up which shows off both of their womanly assets.
However, in Rihanna’s album she uses a BCU whereas Beyoncé
uses a CU (close-up) of her face, also the position in which she
places her hands, pulls back her hair and elongates her neck
emphasis on her femininity but at the same time alluring, which
appeals to men, women and teenage girls for different reasons.
For instance, teenage girls and women look to her as an idol;
whereas, men will be attracted to the feminine and sexual
aspects of the album cover. The sexual and womanly features of
the album cover links with the genre of the music (R&B) which is
related with those characteristics that is presented on the cover.
Furthermore, the use of the plain white background behind the
main image (which is in black and grey effect) helps to enhance
the shadows and outlines of her womanly features.
Additional information:
Beyoncé's album was released November 14, 2008; this was
released simultaneously with the platinum edition. They both
charted number 2 album in the UK but number 1 on the US
Billboard charts and sold over seven million copies worldwide.
4. ‘UNORTHODOX’
• Means breaking the
traditional
convention.
‘JUKEBOX’
• The word jukebox is
linked to the era of
music that is being
portrayed in this
album.
The title of the album is
‘UNORTHODOX
JUKEBOX’ this is implied
by the main image, as it
breaks the traditional
conventions. As there is
a gorilla playing music
on the jukebox which is
humorous and difficult,
which refers back to the
title of the album.
Not only the gorilla is used
for humour but there is a
track on the album called
‘GORILLA’ which is a sex-
rock jam; as the main lyric
in the track is “You and me,
baby, making love like
gorillas!“ this contradicts
the concept of the gorilla
in the main image.
The jukebox is also suggesting how the whole album flicks through
different era’s e.g. the track ‘LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN’ has an 80’s
influence, whereas you have the track ‘WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN’ is
90s R&B with an Alicia Keys influence.
The background has this
80’s paper influence which
ties in with the main image
and the tracks of the
album as it implies how
the album is going to have
a retro/old classic
influence within every
track.
Additional information:
Unorthodox jukebox was released in December 6, 2012 and
came in the top 10 in 20 countries (No.1 in the UK and US).
Also sold over 2,500,000 copies.
5. The typography on the front and back cover
has a similar style to ‘Calibri (body)’ Such as the
album title and artist name which is placed at
the bottom in small which takes no attention
away from the main image.
The main image is of two
chains placed on a black
background, which allows the
two gold chains to be able to
stand out more. Also, the main
image indicates the artist
name as the name of the artist
is ‘2 CHAINZ’.
Additionally, the main image is
framed in the centre which has
the affect of making the
audience think the two chains
are placed around something
neck.
The genre of the album is
indicated by the tracks and the
main image on the album. For
instance the gold chains are
used to symbolise rappers
wealth and also the album title
links with the genre of music
this album is about, as the
album title is called ‘ BASED
ON A T.R.U. STORY’ as most
raps are based around their life
experiences.
The audience in which this CD album cover appeals
to is men and teenage boys as rap is stereotyped to
be associated with men as most rap these days are
known for their explicit content which is stated my
the ‘parental advisory’ sticker in the corner.
Additional
information:
Album was released
on August 13, 2012 in
the UK and the album
cover was ranked 2nd
best of 2012 by
Complex Magazine.
The album No. 1 on
the US Billboard
200, selling 147,000
copies in its first
week.