Analysis of Album Covers

Katy Perry – One Of The Boys (Front)Album title – Her name is bigger than the other font on the cover. This could be because her name is the main way an audience can link her name to the main image – her name being the largest font says that she is the most important. The font used has very girly and feminine connotations because it is swirly and has small stars and hearts around it. ‘One of the Boys’ is the album title at the bottom which subverts from the idea that the rest of the album is trying to make which is very feminine. The colour of the album title is blue which connotes masculinity as does what the title actually says. The album title suggests that as well as being able to dress up and look pretty she is just as capable being on of the boys.

Main Image – The main image is of the artist whom is Katy Perry as stated by her name at the top of the album. Denotations such as the fact that she is dressed in a typical 50s pinup girl type fashion reflects the music genre being maybe pop/girly. The camera angle used to portray her image is a long shot so that the whole of her outfit is visible. The amount of skin she is showing and her posture as she bites her sunglasses have very provocative connotations. Also the fact that she is looking straight at the camera

Typography – The typography of the font on the album cover is messy, playful, and looks more like the varied cursive and print handwriting styles of today. This adheres to the message that the rest of the cover is making that the music is also very fun, playful and would fit into the genre of pop. In terms of typography femininity is represented as being the main theme.

Background Images – The background image is far from plain, it features colourful flowers, a record player, garden flamingos, a white picket fence and a sun lounge chair on which Katy Perry is laying on. Things such as the record player is typical to the 50’s era which adheres to the style of clothing worn by the artist too. The white picket fence is seen by some as a symbol of the ideal American middle-class suburban life, with a family and children, large house, and peaceful living. This stems from the fact that houses in quiet, middle-class neighbourhoods often have gardens enclosed by picket fences.

Genre – The genre pop can be clearly figured out from the different connotations that can be inferred from the denotations. The cover attempts to target the mainstream young female audience as they would aspire to be like her. The pink and other background images such as the flowers and the clothing Katy Perry is wearing appeals to a young female audience.

Disclosure – Settle (Front)Main Image – The main image represents the two brothers G. Lawrence and H. Lawrence who make up the electronic duo Disclosure. Under the white faces that have been edited onto the image the facial expressions seem as if they are happy and are smiling. The denotation of the children's posture could be referring to the attitudes the two boys have at their current age which many perceive as being laid back, casual and happy to be where they are. Also notice that the boys are sharing a chair as it symbolises the fact that they are happy settling into the music industry together as it is their debut studio album.

Genre – The genre of the music can be described as a combination of electronic beats and rhythms, most songs including vocals from an artist independent from the duo themselves. The fact that the album cover has the imprint of it being a worn out vinyl sleeve could be the duo’s way of acknowledging their love for that era and vinyl tracks. We cant exactly read from the album cover what the genre of music is but we can assume it is deep house/electronic dance music from the digital-like faces drawn onto the children faces; it has connotations of being electronic and computerised machines creating the beats of the music.

Album Title – ‘Settle’ being used as the album title itself is interesting because one of the many definitions of the word is to ‘sit or come to rest in a comfortable position’ which is what the two boys seem to have done in the main images. Another meaning for the word settle is ‘a wooden bench with a high back and arms, typically incorporating a box under the seat’. It could be argued that this is what the boys are seated on in the main image. In my opinion the album title and main image link together masterfully.

Typography – The font of both the name of the duo and the name of the album is the same. This implies that to the group both their name and the name of the album is just as important as each other. Black is the absence of all light which is the colour that has been chosen for the name of the group, while white is the presence of every colour of the rainbow combined in the visible light spectrum. This suggests that the duo are trying to spread happiness and hope with this album as white has these connotation. When looking at the other EP album cover they released for a song called ‘F For You’ 12” the same format of typography was used, shown on the right. This helps fans, new or old, have something to associate theduo to; so whenever they see typography like it is used here they will associate it to Disclosure.

Ariana Grande – Yours Truly (Front) Album title – ‘Yours Truly’ is the name of the album and this phrase might imply that you love the recipient. This may be the case as the artist – Ariana Grande –may love her fans to whom the album is for but also when looking closer at the meaning behind many of the lyrics for the songs on this album it is clear to see that they are prominently love songs, sung to a significant other. In British English, "Yours truly" means “Here I am. I offer my service to you.” which is another way the album title could be interpreted. Ariana Grande could be telling her fans that she is there for them and that she has only got to where she is now because of them; also that everything she does in the music industry is to please her fans.

Typography – The typography used for Ariana Grande's name is very simple but stands out against the darker background as her name is written in white and the background is black. Her name is how it is always written in promotional pieces for this particular album. The font connotes sophistication and maturity which is the vibe she would naturally be aiming to achieve as this would be the first album she has released where she is trying to get away from the person is perceived to be because of the popular children’s show she was involved in. This album is her way of saying ‘I’ve grown up.’ not only through the style of music but through the typography used for the copy on the album cover. The font used for the album title sticks to the sophisticated theme of the album cover but is the only copy that is in a light pink colour, the shade of pink used has connotations of unconditional love and compassion; pink stereotypically is a very feminine colour and therefore helps mirror Ariana Grande’s personality.

Main Image – Ariana Grande’s placement on the cover indicates that she is the most important aspect and most if not all attention should be on her. The lighting is displayed shining on her in a spotlight fashion, this connotes again that she must be the centre of attention. When studying her posture she seems to be almost savouring the light as if she gains contentment from what she has achieved from this album. The fact that the whole cover is in black and white adds sophistication and a sense of timelessness. In regards to the main image overall, it is very simplistic and effective as it puts across the style of the music well.

Genre – The genre of the album is pop/R&B and the album cover portrays this by the black and white filter. Everything on the album cover combined such as the album title, the colour scheme, the clothes and the artist herself appeals to a young female audience. The tracks on the album mostly being love songs again appeals to a female audience.