CD COVER ANALYSIS

By Rezma Jusna

FEM

ALES

GRO

UPS

MAL

ES

FRONT COVERS

BACK

COVERS

Front Covers Analysis

FEMALES GROUPS MALESWhat is clear in most female front covers is that, voyeurism is very prominent. Goodwin’s theory most definitely applies here, as it clear to see that the female artist is trying to sell her image by objectifying herself. For example on the CD image above, Beyonce is showing off her bare back whilst being covered by diamonds that are barely covering the rest of her. This is to attract the male audience by using a sex appeal strategy i.e. showing off her body, to tempt them to buy her single. To attract the female segment of the market, they have airbrushed her skin and made Beyonce seem some what superior and perfect so that females can idolise her.

In group CD covers, all members of the group are conventionally present on the cover. If there are three or more group participants, there are usually some sort of grids or effects to differentiate each group member. Each member usually has their own personality within their little space to make sure that each member comes across with their own unique taste. This is done to appeal to the mass market so that people with different styles can relate to the artist. Bright colours are usually present on the CD cover and the group logo tends to located in one of the corners. This is done to show that the group have their own unique imprint in which their fans can participate and wear too.

When it comes to male artists CD covers can vary. On most male CD covers the artist is seen usually showing off their toned and muscular body. This is to sell off the artist as a tough and masculine character. This is a way of connecting to males who wish to be the same. This same artist image can also attract the female eye of those females who like what they see. Depending on the artist, some males prefer to have a close up/ mid shot of themselves as the cover – usually to show off their physique. Or have a long shot of themselves surrounded by a location or some sort of visualisation that connects to the song they are singing about – this is usually done because the artist wants the listeners to focus more on the lyrics then on the artist himself.

General overview of the front of CD covers:

General overview of the back of CD covers:

The artist name is usually bigger than the song title *Different font sizes and styles are used to catch a passersby attention

Female artist tend to have more close ups of themselves then the males If a long shot is used, then it is so there can be an emphasis on the location or

background Voyeurism is essentially used in every CD cover

There usually tends to be some sort of visual on the cover that relates to the lyrics or the music video

Bright or contrasting colours are conventionally used so that the CD stands outThe artists costume signifies the image they want to be associated with on the

CD cover The record label branding can sometimes be in the corner or side of the CD

Modern day CD covers tend to have an image on the back of the cover which usually carries on from the location from the front cover

All of the singles in the CD are listed if it is an album The bar code is always present on the CD back

The margins are bright coloured or highly contrasted so that when it is stacked on the shelf, it is noticeable

The font colours contrast with the rest of the CD back so that the writing such as the song name or artist name stands out Group CD covers have their logo on the back

On every CD cover the same of the song or album is present. It is conventionally designed is such away that it pops out at the viewer. Various font styles and sizes are used to create a unique image of the title. In this case block capitals are used to portray that the singer is strong and bold.

Sometimes one of the letters are formed into a picture or symbol to further portray what the artists wants to get through to the audience in his single or album.

In this particular title called 'Recovery', there is an red cross symbol. This symbol is usually associated with helping somebody medically or healing. This can show the artists current position at that current moment in time.

This in turn further goes onto to prove that their needs to be some sort of connection between the title and the visualisations on the CD covers, even if the little image is combined within the title.

*FONT STYLES EXPLAINED FURTHER

CD front covers from our hybrid genre: Country Pop

COUNTRYPOP

CD back covers from our hybrid genre: Country Pop

General overview of the front of CD covers from the country/pop genre:

There always seems to be some sort of scenery relating to the country side; such as fields of flowers, barns, beaches and so on…Males tend to have either a mid shot or a long shot so that their costume and location are emphasises upon more than themselves Strong country artists tend to either always be in a country setting or have some sort of Mise en scene around them that is symbolic of the country genre, i.e. holding guitars or wearing their sleeves rolled upThe females tend to always look angelic – by this I mean they conventionally have light shining from behind them. Their hair is tends to be wind swept. Their clothing is very feminine.With country female singers, the focus is mainly on the facial features then the body featuresFor male artists, their shirts are never fully done up, they are portrayed to be rugged and manlyThe men are more likely to wear accessories then the femalesBright colour are the conventional norm of this genreIn terms of font styling and so on, it is the same as the other genres

General overview of the back of CD covers from the country/pop genre:

The artist is seen yet again surrounded by country scenery, and the artist tends to be in a standing positionThe record labels brands are printed quiet visibly on the back coversThere are links to promote the artist, i.e. their facebook pages and so on… When it comes to a more pop based song with a country feel, the back cover is a very neutral colour and incredibly plainThe songs always seem to be listed either to the left or the right side of the artist imageThe rest of the characteristics such as bar code and ect are the same as the other genres

By Rezma Jusna