Analysis of existing album covers

Because we have chosen to create an album cover alongside our promo music video and website homepage, we have researched existing covers that are on the market today.

Here is the official album cover of Boy band JLS. The album is called "JLS"

The cover's design is simple but sophisticated and stylish. This is represented by the majority of the cover being in black and white except the running order of colours which is a representation of each band member- the order of colours matches the order of the band members from left to right. This is an recognisable feature that has been with the band since they were spotted on the talent show the Xfactor. The colours of each of the band members being the unique selling point of the band, which has stayed with them as they have grown as artists, so that the audience can recognise them using the limited colours. This shows that the band has grown along with their status and fame, as they have become more sophisticated, pop sensations and global superstars which the album cover clearly represents. Their band name and album title is also big, bold and in the centre to display who they are and what they are about.

Each member is staring directly into the camera, all with straight faces to show that they are serious about what they do and also to add to the sophisticated effect. They are all dressed in the colour black- which is yet again a very smart/classy colour in relation to this theme and we see evidence of symmetry in their clothing and positioning. The two furthest members out of the four are wearing collared shirts, whilst the two members in the centre are wearing round neck shirts. The two centred members are also wearing chains whilst the other two members are not-to help show individuality as well as group membership. Clothing plays a big role within the group, as it is again one of their most recognisable features. How they are dressed on the cover, is mostly how they are dressed in each of their music videos- showing they want to remain the same in all mediums.

To conclude, this cover is very effective as it represents both the JLS from Xfactor which everybody knows them from and the JLS they have become through their success.

Here is the official album cover of band Paramore. The album is called "RIOT!"

The design reflects both the name of the album and the nature of the age of the members of the band. The cover shows the band members in black and white with the word "Riot" been written all over the back like a scrapbook to create the background. This portrays the age of the band as graffitti is associated with a younger generation.The word "Riot" is also quite an intimidating word conveying the out there nature of the members and music as the genre is rock and the members reflect this with their style which could be described as indie/rock. In comparison to the black and white background, the largest "RIOT!" is coloured in orange to highlight the album title and to appear eye catching to its target audience. This is coincidental to the fact that the lead singer (Hayley Williams) has orange hair. This is not shown in this particular cover, but is something we found out whilst researching the band. The use of the black and white colours are not only to create an effective background but can be used as an underlying meaning to sum up the group's personality and reputation- e.g. you either love them or hate them- just like 'its either black or white'.

As the cover is prodominantly in black and white it is hard to go into detail about their clothing and style- but what we can see is that all band members are casually dressed in the typical style of the genre.
The band members are positioned close together to show that they are a group- "as one", each in a stance to represent that they have attitude- which links directly back to the word "Riot" and the whole theme of the cover.
The band is male dominated, however the lead singer is female showing the equality in the band between males and females.

To conclude, the whole cover/theme is brash and bold which works well for this band but it is not an idea that particularly appeals to us.

Here is the official album cover of UK Girlband The Saturdays. The album is called "Chasing Lights"

The cover's design and use of colours has clearly been used for a purpose. For example, the background is effectively a whitey/grey to bring out the colour in the girls' dresses/clothing, which contrasts with the girls' black tights and black shoes. Each band member is wearing a different colour- which could indicate that they are all individuals, with different personalities and interests. The clothes/dresses have been purposely made to appear sexy so that the audience are aware that not only are the girls good singers, but they are a hot girlband too.

The name of the band 'The Saturdays' is also dominantly in black to correspond with this black and white type image, with the girls in the 'spotlight'. The font used for the title is very thin, but bold and in captial letters (to stand out)- which could be symbolic of the girls' being 'thin' but yet bold and powerful, and this is continuous throughout the other text on the cover (such as the promotion sticker).

The expressions on the girls faces are quite strong and hard which could relate to the 'bold' image that is trying to be created. All five girls have their faces turned away from the camera and appear to all be looking at the same thing- maybe to show their closeness as a group? but their positioning is different to keep this idea of being individual, although part of a group/band.

Although the album cover is very simple it portrays what it wants to portray- the girls entering this new kind of world, as they are a fairly new group and this is their first album to be released.

Therefore to conclude, it is successful in what 'The Saturdays' want to portray to their audience, but we would like our album cover to be a bit more wild and glam and we would like to portray more fun.