Analysis of album covers

As a group we decided to analyse some album covers from different music genres. We did the first two covers in class as a group. When analysing the covers, I focused on the Mise-En-Scene, camera angles, framing, text and costume.



We analysed the album cover
Mumford and Sons-Babel
Folk Rock
2011

 

 

 

 

 

We also analysed the back of an album cover.

Red Hot Chili Pepper- Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Funk Rock

1991

Rihanna- Russian Roulette
R&B and Hip Hop
2009

Colours:

The colours used in this album are black and white. This is quit abstract and different compared to her other album covers. The thick eyeliner and black lipstick shows that they might be a twist in the album’s original connotation of dark and a morbid element which is seen in the lead single "Russian Roulette" of the album cover.

Lighting:

The lighting on the album looks very natural apart of the extra brightness on Rihanna’s face which brings out the thick painting of her eyeliner. The lighting in the songs on the Rated R album are just as dark and dim as the cover; with the use of red lighting which is usually connoted as danger.

Writing and Costume:

Rihanna covering the side of her face might show that she doesn’t wants to be revealed fully to her audience which emphasis the mystery and darkness of the songs in the album. Closing her face might also show that she doesn’t wants to be exposed like other artist in the R&B genre. Rihanna also wears a lot of heavy jewellery which increases the intensity and darkness of albums as she looks like someone who cannot be push around easily. She is also wearing a black leather top which continuous the connotation of wildness. 

The album's name is witten at the bottom of the album in very small letters which does not stand out as the rest of the text, and so might so that she was not emphasising the title.

The R on the cover is sharp shape which is the representation of her name and is usually use as her logo. The sharpness of the R looks like something that has been carved by a sharp object. This emphasis the dimness of the album but it might also be showing her determination and strength from her comeback after being affected by some aspect of her personal life.

Camera angle/shot size/framing:
The picture is a close up and she is on the centre of the cover which is usually the case for the R&B genre. This reflects the mainstream of this genre unlike other genres such as metal-core which might usually use an object on their album cover. Rihanna is looking directly into the camera which could be showing the aim of the album by trying to intimidate her audiences.  

 These are usual album covers of R&B and Hip Hop genre. 

  Paramore- Riot
  Rock

  2007

Lighting/ colour:

There are three colours used on this album cover; whit, black and red. The use of graffiti  and the the use of red makes the album stands out compared to other covers that uses a lot of colour. The album title “Riot” is written in red which immediately allows the audience to put the two together. Red might be used to show the after effect of rioting.

Style pattern/ writing:

Riot is a very busy album cover with a lot of graffiti/writing. All the words in black on the cover is “riot” which emphasis the name of the album and their intention. The writing on the cover is handwritten/ graphitised and the connotation of this might be anger towards something. The different style of graffiti writing shows creativeness behind Paramore which might be represented in the songs on the album. The name of the band is written in a formal style compared to the way the name of the album is written. This might mean that this particular album is sending out a message or aiming for something different to their other albums.  

Eminem: Recover
Rapper
 2010

Colour:

Very few colours are used in this cover. The main colours are white and red even though the audience is able to see other colours in the background. The colours used on the cover are meant to make it looks simple and easy to look at. This is usually the case with rap album covers. The colour Eminem is also wearing blends in with the background colour. The colours could also represent the journey of the album, the connotation of red could be danger, and white, purity which together connotes his journey to Recovery.

They album recovery is also written in plain colours apart of the “o” which is written in red with a cross in the middle. This sign could be a representation of hospital and the audience immediately questions whether Eminem is recovering of drugs or alcohol addiction due to his personal life.  

Lighting:

The lighting used for the cover is very natural fitting with the understanding of the album. This lighting is continuously used in the songs on the album especially the first track on the album “Not Afraid”. The connotation of the light is new beginnings and moving on which is emphasis on the songs in the album. Even though the lighting looks natural at first glance, it looks like the light has been dimmed to make it look like at the time it was taken, it was getting dark and so draws out the lyrics of some of the songs on the cover.

Costume and writing:

Eminem is dressed in normal clothing which is pretty usual to see with rap artist. They are usually dressed in clothing that they could use on stage to perform.                                                                                          
 The album does not reveal anything about the artist. However, the “E” turn backwards could be easily recognised as Eminem’s album even though his name is not printed on it. This is because Eminem, trademark is having a backward “E” and is usually used on some of his album covers.                                     
The “parents advisory” is also used to warn parents of whether the album is appropriate for their children. This shows that even though this genre is usually seen as a bad influence on young people, there is a sign of maturity to the fact that it has been printed on the cover.

Camera angle/ shot/framing:

The camera angle is almost a low angle. This might show the slight vulnerability of the artist/ person on the cover of the album. The shot used is a long shot, but the subject on the cover is a mid-close up. This might represent the journey to his recovery and how much he still has to go to get there. He is also framed to the left angle of the camera and making the audience focus less on him and almost more on the road.

From analysing these covers, I have learned that the genre of music has a big influence on how the album covers should look like, for example, R&B and Hip Hop artist are likely than any other genre to have picture of themself on the cover. Facial/bodily album covers usually helps promote the album because the audience immediately knows which artist it is without reading any other information on the the cover.