Music magazine front cover analysis

1. Masthead
The layout of this magazine is unconventional because of
the fact that the masthead has not been placed at the top of
the page but has instead been stretched across the side,
being a much bigger size than the rest of the text. Having
this difference makes it unique and makes this magazine
have their own twist, producing a recognisable, unique
style. It has been written in a light, cream colour to contrast
with the red background, working well with her light skin
tone, also in a simple but bold sharp font to continue to
make it stand out. As it is in lower cases, this makes the
magazine appear to look chilled and minimalistic.
Promotion
To promote the magazine, the website address to
access Billboard is included in small text,
underneath the masthead along with the date too.
There is no barcode, implying that this is a issue
for subscribers only and it is not available to
purchase, which is why not so much information
has been displayed on the cover as they don’t
have to try so hard to attract the audience.
Main Coverline
The main coverline focus’ on Katy Perry as she is the main
subject of this issue, being a larger section of text about her
included on the page, compared to the other coverlines that
don’t stand out as much at all. Information and a small
summary of the article is included underneath this to give the
reader an idea of what is mentioned in the magazine. A short
phrase to summarise the topic is included in large text in white
to contrast with the photo and background, standing out. Katy
Perry’s name has also been written large as she is an important
part of the magazine, being a huge part to why many people
may purchase the issue due to her success and popularity.
Coverlines
Two small coverlines are included on the top right hand
corner, not typically the amount or place that a magazine
would normally have, but as its mainly focusing on Katy
Perry than the other articles included in the issue, there
isn't as many included. The coverline is written in the same
colour as the masthead, keeping the colours consistent
throughout, whilst the summary beneath it, like all other
main text, is written in white to stand out against the bold
colour scheme.
Image
Only one image has been presented on this front cover, so
therefore attention is drawn to this photo. The image consists of
a midshot of Katy Perry, a popular artists which will then
convince her fans to pick up this issue. Katy is looking direct
address to the camera, slightly tilting her head up with her hair
blowing behind her to represent her as an important figure,
emotionless but still has a sexy facial expression too; her mouth
slightly open, that effortless, stylish look. As she is holding her
head high, it implies that she has authority and importance,
looking down on her audience. Her hair and clothes are both
dark blue and black, being mysterious but is different to the
colour scheme of the rest of the cover, allowing her to stand out
and be the main feature, displaying her importance and shows
where the attention should be drawn to. The position she is
stood in isn't boring and isn't just her standing in the centre, but
instead she has changed the positioning of her arms so there is
more to look at and so it creates a more interesting shape. Her
arm is resting on her shoulder, and her other is resting on her
stomach to cover it up. The fact that she isn't showing off her
body, shows her innocence too.

2. Image
The image on the front cover is a close up of Tinie Tempah,
being full bleed, taking up the whole page to draw the attention
to this artist. The background of this image is a very light blue
to ensure that it doesn’t draw the attention away from the
image. In this photo Tinie Tempah is wearing dark sunglasses
to cover most of his face, giving him a mysterious look and also
makes him look like he has importance and a high status. This
mysterious look will entice the audience and make them want
to read more to find out about him, his hands are also included
in the image so there is more to look at. He is doing up his top
button of his shirt, showing how smart and neat he is in
appearance. By his neat and well presented hair cut, this also
emphasises how he is a smart young man. However, Tempah
has a small earing on his right ear, making him look slightly
edgy and gives him a cool look too - This makes him look
young and hip, connecting with the younger audience of the
magazine.
Text
The main text consists of a list of artists that are included in this
edition. Having this list will give the audience an insight of what
kind of artists and the information that they will be able to read
about if they buy this issue. This text used is written in a messy,
hand writing like font that has also been used for the name of the
main artist, keeping this consistent so it doesn’t look random. The
colours chosen for this and the other text on the page is black as
it contrasts with the background. However, ‘Tinie Tempah’ stands
out and is more bold as it is in a white font, being large and is
written across the bottom of the image, showing his importance
again. This looks like it has been written as an autograph, giving
a personal touch which may interest those who are fans as they
could feel like they'd connect with the artist. Being able to
connect and relate to the artist on the front cover means that it
follows the uses and gratifications theory as the reader would be
able to identify with this product.
Masthead
The masthead of this magazine is
unconventional as it is not in the centre of the
cover, but it is still large and at the top of the
page. This masthead is ‘Q’, being written in
white in a bold, clear font to stand out from the
contrasting, bright red box that it is in. Along
with the text, this box frames the artist in the
photo and as it is in the left hand corner as
apposed to across the top of the cover, this
makes the magazines by Q more original and
recognisable.
Coverline
The coverline is a quote that has been presented
at the top of the page in a bold font written in
capitals to stand out, and is a black font to
continue with the text’s colour scheme used
across the front cover. Having a light blue box
behind this text will make it stand out and be
more bold and vibrant, bringing colour to the
page to reflect the fun energetic music produced
buy this artist. A pink has also been brought into
this box to match with the pink shirt the artist is
wearing. Another coverline on the page promotes
the collector editions magazines, written in the
same style with a 3D effect to stand out and
make it pop.
Layout
The layout of this issue isn't particularly structured
compared to other magazines, having a slightly messy
style to it created by the hand writing like font used. The
positioning of the text is slightly more random, not
bordering the image so much as there aren't typical cover
lines used.

3. Image
This image of Adele is full bleed and takes up the entire cover, to
draw attention to her as she is popular and would attract a crowd
and convince people to buy the magazine. As there is only one
person in this shot, it implies that she is a solo artist too. Adele has
slightly tilted her head, giving the camera direct address to connect
and draw in the audience, also displaying how she has authority
and power in the music industry. She has been presented as a
sexy, young women as her hair is messy, being very 70’s inspired
and she is in a stereotypical pose, pouting to look dramatic and
flirty. This dramatic mood created could reflect on the music that
adel produces, giving the audience an idea of what genre the
magazine is. Creating this sexy mood will appeal to the large male
audience, as this is the find of style that typically would interest
men and entice them. Because of the plain pale blue back ground,
all of the attention is drawn to the image and the writing on the
front cover, making the artist stand out as much as possible.
Masthead
On this issue, the masthead consists of ‘Rolling Stone’, written in a
70’s style, reflecting on the image used. A classic red colour has
been chosen, being bright and bold so stands out large on the top
of the cover, written across the artists forehead. As it is in front of
the image, it could suggest that the name of the magazine is the
most important section of the magazine, being iconic and easily
recognised. A white colour has been traced around the text to
make it pop and stand out, also being the same colours of the text
so it brings it together and is consistent. Having a black shadow
behind the masthead also makes it stand out more than the other
text as it looks 3D and shows its importance.
Coverlines
Having white cover lines makes them stand out
from the image behind them so they are easy to
read. These are summaries of the most
important articles written in the magazine issue,
used to entice the audience and make the want
to read them as they get an idea of what is in it.
The title of these summaries is slightly bigger
and bolder, showing what is more important on
the cover. Puns and interesting sentences are
used, ensuring that the article seems interesting
and worth reading.
Layout
This layout is well structured and has been laid
out to make the front cover look neat and well
organised so it is easy to read and so it also
looks attractive. Having the masthead across the
top of the page, the name of the artist at the
bottom and the coverlines at the side gives a
frame to the image, not covering the main part of
it, but draws attention to the centre of the picture,
Artist Name
Considering that this is a significant part of the
front cover, this is the biggest text written. Being
across the bottom of the page in a contrasting
colour to the background, it makes it easy to
read and frames the image again but it is not as
bright and bold as the masthead. The few words
written underneath this, ‘heartbreak superstar’,
gives the audience an idea of who this artist may
be, and what the focus of the article written is.
As this is quite general, it leaves the audience
questioning what this may be referring to so is
interesting and mysterious.