Magazine Advert Analysis

Mumford & SonsTypography – The same colour for all the font on the advert is used to ensure a continuous flow within the advert. Various different typography styles and font sizes are used for different parts of the copy. The artists name ‘Mumford & Sons’ is in the largest font size of the whole advert, this is so that it is made clear to whoever sees the advert who’s music it is. Some consumers regardless of the music will buy an artists music just to support them as they like their previous music. The album name ‘Sigh No More’ however is in a smaller font size compared to the artist name this could be because the album is the second most important copy on the advert; the font used for the album title is also in the same font but not in bold.

Album Title – The placement of the album title being under and smaller than the bands name could be a sign that no matter the album, the bands name needs to be first priority and what attracts people to the poster. This is often the case with many promotional outlets, the name of the brand is more important than the actual product being sold – Mumford & Sons are essentially a brand.

Main Image – The main image consists of what looks like four separate polaroid style images of each member of the band. The use of the polaroid style has connotations of being old-school and rustic, it helps build up the image that the band have made for themselves. The genre the band are classified into is indie folk/rock folk, this is well represented by the lighting used for the images and the instruments being held by the band (acoustic guitar, accordion, double bass and a banjo).

Pull Quote – The quote from the magazine ‘NME’ indicates to any onlookers that the music the band made is of a very good standard. Also just by the fact that the quote is from this magazine reassures anyone viewing the advertisement that if NME says they’re god they must be good, this is because NME are very established magazine that people trust; people who listen to the type of music that they report on will trust their judgement.

Hits – The three song titles across the bottom are the songs that are most recognised by fans or even people that don’t listen to the band and only know of those songs. This is beneficial for the group because they can gain fans from this, if someone knows of a song and finally finds the artist who sung it they try listening to their other songs as they might like them too. This is good for Mumford & Sons because then the word spreads about their music and their popularity will grow, this in turn make them more successful artists.

Record Label – ‘Island Records’ is the record label that Mumford & Sons are signed to and ‘Gentlemen of the Road’ is the bands own record label but also the name of their 2013 tour. Island Records was founded in 1959 but since 1999 is owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG was initially founded in 1934 as Decca Records USA. This shows that the record label Mumford & Sons are signed to are well established and know what they are doing; they are experienced in the music industry and know how to make an artist successful with the right promotion.

The KillersTypography – The font of the band name is different to the rest of the text on the advertisement. The album name is the only font that is not written in white, this may be because the band want the album that they are promoting to be the focus of the advertisement however even though the album name is in black to stand out the bands name is the largest font. The significance of the bands name being the largest font is that even though in this situation the album needs promoting, at the end of the day the artist is the most important. The artist name is what represents the music and is in other terms the brand that sells.

Album Title – The album, ‘Day & Age’ is the bands third studio album from 2008. It was after this album that the band decided to take a hiatus and Brandon Flowers the lead singer released his solo album ‘Flamingo’ in 2010. The band have also called it their "most playful record" with the album making use of saxophones, steel drums, harpsichord & tribal chanting.

Record Label – The Killers are signed to ‘Vertigo Records’ which was first launched in the UK in 1969 and its parent company is UMG. Vertigo Records mostly sign artists from the genres of hard rock, progressive rock, pop soul, heavy metal and glam metal. The Killers make their music within the genres of alternative rock, post-punk revival, new wave and heartland rock. Other artists signed to Vertigo Records include Metallica and Razorlight.

Hits – The three song titles across the bottom are the songs that are most recognised by fans or even people that don’t listen to the band and only know of those songs. This is beneficial for the group because they can gain fans from this, if someone knows of a song and finally finds the artist who sung it they try listening to their other songs as they might like them too. This is good for The Killers because then the word spreads about their music and their popularity will grow, this in turn make them more successful artists.

Main Image – The main image is essentially the whole background. The image is formulated in a mosaic pattern, following a purple and white colour scheme throughout the whole top half but when travelling to the bottom half of the background more browns, yellows and orange colours come through. The yellows and oranges when intermixed in the manner they are on the background, create a pattern of a spitting fire. Fire has connotations of warmth, heat, anger, passion, desire and destruction. This may reflect in some of the lyrics on the album. Moving back to the top purple half of the advertisement there is a white moon in the sky, the connotations of the moon conflict with the connotations of the fire at the bottom. Some connotations of the moon is love, serenity, peace, calmness, intimacy and romance. One way of looking at it is that the top half could represent Heaven and the bottom half could represent Hell.

Website – The website allows anyone looking at the advertisement to know were to find the artist online they wish to. Also the website probably contains any extra information fans could be looking for such as merchandise or where to buy the albums.

Jessie J Colour Scheme – The colour scheme of black, white and gold follows through throughout the whole advert. Black has connotations of power, elegance, strength and authority. The white of the background acts as a plain canvas for the main image to stand out against. Gold has connotations of success and achievement due to linked connotations of luxury and quality.

Typography – The typography used for Jessie J’s name is how her name is always written in promotional pieces for this particular album. It is the biggest text on the page to draw maximum attention to it. Also the colour of her name is gold which has connotations of quality which could be giving the reader a reflection on what the music on the album is also going to be like.

Main Image – The make-up and nails worn by Jessie J are mostly black which may reflect the theme of the music, it suggests that the music could be quite dark and deep or even about serious topics. Her facial expression has very provocative connotations but also at the same time looks as if she is singing or about to sing.

Hits – The copy on the advert includes mention of the most successful song on the album so far to entice audiences to buy the album. Also as this is a debut album for Jessie J the fact that the song mentioned is a song that features B.o.B. which is a well known rapper appeals to a wider audience. Additionally if people have heard of the song mentioned they are more likely to see this advertisement and go and listen to her other songs. Record Label – In an era of music industry

transition they have proven effective, as Universal Republic has continued to grow in the industry's declining years. Universal Republic become a stand-alone label after Universal Motown Republic Group was shut down in summer 2011. One year later, it was renamed back to Republic Records. Some other artists that are also signed to this label are Ariana Grande, Kelly Rowland and James Blake.

Website – The website allows anyone looking at the advertisement to know were to find the artist online they wish to. Also the website probably contains any extra information fans could be looking for such as merchandise or where to buy the albums.