Music magazines annotated and analysed

1. Pop magazines
Beatriz Poleza

2. This particular pop
magazine differentiates
from others in its design.
There is less writing and
colour than usual
magazines of this genre
would have, instead all the
writing is in white and the
only colour comes from the
model’s outfit and the
background. The absence
of puffs and the design as a
whole suggest that this
magazine is aimed at a
more elegant and classy
audience, which at the
same time enjoys pop.
Beyoncé is the central
image, which suggests
that this magazine is
aimed at both genders.
Due to the fact that it
might attract males
because of the sexuality
involved, but also females
as she is considered a role
model to many.
There is no bar code at the
front cover of this
magazine, it was possibly
placed at the back.
Not having a barcode
reinforces the elegance
and classiness of the
magazine as it avoids
features that would make it
look less neat.
The bold text in big font
size catches
the reader’s eye but at
the same time
does not take attention
away from the
masthead, both are
appealing to the
audience.
The model’s direct address along with her outfit which
can be considered quite provocative, makes the
magazine more tempting to the audience.
All the colours are bright and
vibrant, which when put
together with the ice-cream
being held by the model
connotes to summer,
possibly the season when the
magazine was published.

3. The main image is
positioned in front of
the masthead, covering
it, representing the
popularity of Billboard
magazine as the full
name doesn’t need to
be shown in order for it
to be recognised.
The magazine’s
popularity is
emphasized again
through the cover line,
and the fact that they
have their own music
award which airs on TV.
Usually a mixture of childish
and lively colours are used in
pop magazines, but in this
case the pattern has
changed, a minimum
amount of colour was used,
which suggests that this
particular pop magazine can
be considered more
sophisticated when
compared to others.
All artists mentioned in the
front cover, apart from the
main two, have a
connection with pop
genre, indicating the type
of audience that will
purchase this magazine (its
target audience). This
also gives an idea of what
the contents will mainly be
about.
The huge pop starts Usher
and Justin Bieber carry
amongst themselves the
stereotypes of pop:
sunglasses, necklaces,
watches, etc. They both
support the pop star
complexion very well:
good looking, wealthy and
well dressed, possibly the
reason they were chosen
as main models.
The font was kept the same
throughout the whole cover,
preventing the magazine
from looking cheap and
unprofessional.

4. Genre of the
magazine is clearly
shown through the
masthead, “We Heart
Pop”. Also, the use of
“We” makes the
magazine more
appealing to its
target audience, as
they will feel
included.
The colour scheme is
based around girlish
and feminine colours.
The main colours are
pink and purple which
usually are used to
refer to girls, this
feature of the front
cover indicates at who
the product is aimed
at, as its design would
not be suitable to
attract males.
All the puffs revolve
around topics that
teenage girls would
usually talk about.
Teen celebrities,
fashion, gossip, etc.
The use of suitable
puffs makes the
magazine gain more
attention from the
target public as a
vaster sense of
interest will be
brought up.
As this magazine is
aimed at teenage girls,
its producers used
freebies in order to
make the selling of their
product more effective.
Potential buyers might
not be interested in the
magazine’s contents,
however, they might still
buy it due to the free
gifts, in this case,
various posters.
Model’s name is big and bold, getting more
attention that others articles or her image itself,
this shows her significance.

5. The masthead stands out
to the audience because
it is bold, bright and in
capital letters. However,
it is not fully shown which
portrays the significance
of the magazine, its name
is not needed in order for
it to be recognized and
bought.
Page numbers are given
with a preview of the
article, this entices the
the audience into
buying it as they become
interested in what the
magazine’s articles have
to offer, and its contents.
The main cover line,
“Lady Gaga unzipped”,
is literal as it links to
her outfit (it has a zip
and is being unzipped).
The provocative
and perhaps sexual
reference of both cover
line and central image
suggest who the
magazine is aimed at,
and also relates to the
singer’s character.
Lady Gaga’s direct gaze
makes the audience feel
connected with her,
which leads them to
buying the magazine as
they can relate to its
main model, these are
effective ways of
marketing (celebrity
endorsement and direct
mode of address).
All the colors work nicely
together, the color
scheme does not change
from the masthead, to
cover line and puffs.
A quote of the interview from inside the magazine
makes it more appealing to the audience, and induces
them to buying it.

6. A lot of
exclamations
marks and variety
of fonts gives each
subtitle/puff more
importance and
significance.
The colours are feminine and
girly, which makes it clear of
who the target audience is, as
these colours are normally
stereotypically used as a
reference to girls. There is a
variety of vibrant colours,
making the product more
informal than it would be if it
was aimed at an audience of
an older age group.
“936 fashion and
beauty ideas”
makes the
magazine more
appealing to its
audience, as 936 is
a large number
and by having
contents with such
quality makes the
magazine worth
buying for the
readers.
The strapline at the top is
contrasting (orange) to the
rest of the cover, which
instantly draws the readers’
or buyers’ eye to it.
The word “fun!” is written in a easygoing and informal font, which along
with the exclamation marks portrays the style of the magazine (casual).
The model has a natural
and joyful complexion,
linking to the rest of the
front cover, such as its
colours which all
connote to joyfulness
and teens.

7. Music magazines

8. The masthead
“Country Weekly”
gives away what
type of music genre
the magazine is
about (country),
usually all music
magazines use this
technique so that
the reader instantly
recognises what its
contents are based
on.
The cover line links to
the main artist
presented in the
central image. This
attracts the audience
even more, especially
as hints of what the
artist offered to the
magazine (interview,
etc.) are given.
The mise en scene
links to the genre of
the magazine. For
example, the artist’s
outfit, flannel and
cowboy hat,
connotes to
countryside and
therefore country
music.
The colour scheme
flows within the front
cover, there are no
different colours or a
contrasting one, the
pattern is kept the
same in the whole
front cover.
All other artists mentioned in
the front cover, apart from
the main, relate to the genre
of the magazine, which
shows that it is a aiming at
only a specific audience.

9. As with almost all
music magazines,
the masthead tells
the audience the
music genre that the
magazine is based
upon; classical
music.
The model’s outfit, a
red dress, links to
the colour of
the subheadings,
also red. The simple
and classic colour
scheme makes the
magazine more
appealing to readers
as it relates to the
genre.
A violin was used as a prop in this front cover, which again associates with its
genre, as the instrument is mainly used by artists in the classical music industry.
The model’s body
language is different
to as the ones seen
in magazines of
other genres. There
is no direct address
or features that
would catch a lot of
attention, such as
sexual reference,
the overall look of
the magazine is
minimal and
simplistic, which
pleases its target
audience as people
that enjoy classical
music usually have
the stereotype of
being calm and
modest.

10. Connotations of the
magazine’s genre,
hip-hop, are seen
in this front cover,
such as the artist’s
overall look;
bandana, serious
facial expression and
jewellery, these are
commonly featured
in hip-hop related
products.
Again, the masthead
reveals the genre of
the magazine, it is
literal and direct.
Many techniques
were used in this
front cover in order
to attract and engage
the target audience,
for example, “£20 gift
card” and “20 classic
downloads”.
There are a range of
puffs around the
central image, unlike
other magazines, such
as Classical Music, this
front cover offers a
variety of contents to
its readers at first
sight, which suggests
it’s more informal
and not as
sophisticated as a
classical music
magazine would be.
The word “hip-hop” is seen
multiple times
throughout the magazine,
which constantly
reminds the audience of
what the product proposes.

11. Unlike others, such
as Country Weekly,
the masthead
“Kerrang!” does
not reveal the
music genre of the
magazine, however,
the genre can be
discovered through
other forms, such
as the mentioning
of various rock
artists.
Black was the main
colour used in this
front cover, which
relates to the genre
of rock/punk, as it
would be very
difficult to find
bright and vivacious
colours in a
magazine of this
genre, just like black
is hardly used in pop
magazines for
teenage girls.
In the cover line, “you”
is in bold and italic,
getting more attention
than the other words,
this is a way appealing
to the audience as by
feeling included,
people will want to
purchase the
magazine.
The main or most
known member of the
band Green Day is in
the middle and front of
the other two, which
portrays his importance
and attracts a wider
public as they might not
know the band as a
whole, but maybe are
aware of who the key
artist is.

12. The artist’s hair is
tied back and she’s
wearing a strapless
and provoking top,
this indicates
her confidence,
reinforced by the
direct mode of
address and body
language; hands
behind body, and
lips half open.
“Keyshia Cole” is
written at the
center of the cover
and across her body,
making the public
aware of who she is,
in case they
weren’t, and at the
same time
highlighting the
importance of her
status.
The colour purple is
seen not only in the
model’s outfit but
was also used in the
subheadings.
Whereas white was
continued from the
masthead to the
cover line, which is
the artist’s
name. The flow of
colours makes the
magazine look
professional and
of high quality.
It could be said that
this magazine’s
target audience is
R&B young fans, not
teenagers
but mostly young
adults due to the
sexy yet
sophisticated
body position and
language of the
model.