The album cover for Bombay Bicycle Club's album "I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose" features psychedelic patterns and images focused on the brain and senses to represent the album's music as an addictive "fix" for the audience. Continuity is shown between the cover, inside panels, and CD with matching patterns and fonts. The emphasis on intricate images over photos of the band suggests the focus is more on the music's experience and effect on listeners than on branding.

1. Two Door Cinema Club

2. The Front cover of Beacon is minimalistic with the text in order to focus on the
abstract image that has been used. The text is straight to the point and refers to
only the band name and the album name – incorporated into the text creating the
link between the two which otherwise wouldn’t be made.
The Beacon sign is highlighted in LED sign type text with a glow around the
outside. This gives the impression of a motel type setting as well as that ‘garage’
type feel expected from indie artists. The image is simplistic and abstract a
convention of the brand as well as the genre. The image itself is irrelevant but is
coherent with the rest of Two Door Cinema Club’s singles and albums, all of which
take into consideration everyday locations.
The cover along with the back of the digipak does not show any band members –
emphasising that as an indie rock band it is more about the music and the image
rather than the profile of who is in the band – however this can link to the fact that
by the release of Beacon the band were already well established in the industry
and with their label Kitsune.
The colour scheme is vintage/retro through the use of location all of which follows
the style represented in their videos. The colour consists of mint green curtains –
something common in the 80’s further represented through the mise en scene of
some videos. The focus on pastels suggests femininity as well as the link to fashion
through the mise en scene of the model – eg pastel pink heels and purple knickers
both of which attract a male audience due to the male gaze as suggested by Laura
Mulvey.
The use of a model only in underwear objectifies the female body which is further
represented through the placement of the image eg where a light would be. As a
result of this metaphor the light in the image is directed to the centre in order to
attract the audience who would presumably see the cover on either a website or
in store. The use of a female model automatically attracts the typical The use of
contrasting colours eg light and dark also flows with the retro image represented
by Two Door Cinema club and other similar artists. The location of the model in
the shot is on the ceiling and central which could imply that either the lyrics,
videos or the overall mise en scene.
The main image is representative of the definition of
‘Beacon’.
A Beacon is a fire or light set up in a high or prominent
position as a warning, signal or celebration. This clarifies
the use of a high angled shot.

3. The back of the album is a close up of the curtain which features on the
cover showing continuity in the overall theme for this particular album. This
however is a common convention for indie music albums because most of
which have some link between the back and front. This makes it visually
appealing for the audience – particularly with the purpose of sales and the
appearance on a shelf. The image again features one particular area of light –
which on this occasion is the bottom left corner near the barcode. This poses
the idea that someone is at the location – eg a car light shining through the
window. This overall image links with existing and previous videos – all of
which wouldn’t have been known by the audience.
Due to the abundance of light in the centre we can assume that this isn’t a
matched cut from the cover but is simply related. Instead of an element of
the image being the centre the back consists of the song list and numbering.
This is in the centre because it is the main aim of the back cover of the album
– in order to inform the audience what songs will appear. An element of the
text important to highlight is the fact that “Beacon” the track appears last on
the album and is therefore central on a single line. This intentionally draws
the audience because it is the smallest visible text. It also solidifies the
message of the album – and the link to the cover image.
Below the song list is the record label and logo. This is to promote the brand
and label to inform the audience as to who has worked on the label. For
those who are familiar with the current branding of musicians under the
Kitsune label they may be able to expect conventions which are apparent in
other music.
Beneath this separated by a line is the copyright information. This is
displayed at the bottom in small print – meaning it isn’t of high importance
for the audience but is more so for music corporations. However it is
important to include the producers and the relation this has to the music
because without it the album wouldn’t have been made. Although, it isn’t
intended for the audience and that is why it refers to codes rather than
providing clear information. It could also suggest that there is a link between
the code by the barcode and for the corporation which implies it could be
part of the legal side of retailing the product.

4. Two Door Cinema Club

5. The Two Door Cinema Club
The cover of the album is an abstract highly edited image of a cat in an everyday
environment typical of the animal. This highlights that two door cinema club use
locations around the house, as well as unusual images which usually have some
link to lyrical meaning in the album. The use of the cats eyes directs the audience
to the centre of the cover where all of the text is located. It also emphasises the
fact that naturally eye contact is a place of focus. There is further direction to the
cats eyes through the choice of font/style text which includes circles to represent
‘O’. This therefore gives the cat the image of wearing glasses – something that
typically is associated in modern time with being slightly quirky and vintage – a
idealistic image the band is wanting in order to pursue branding within the indie
genre.
On this album cover the band name is much larger however this was Two Door
Cinema Club’s first major album and therefore it is a branding technique to
eliminate any distraction, it remains simplistic. The only other featured text is the
name of the album which follows conventions all music genres. However the
album name is small and located at the bottom of the page – meaning at this point
in the career creating an image for the band was highly important.
The colour scheme of the cover is in a tinted blue which suggests that the band
are ‘cool’ but it also uses dark colour in order to replicated mystery – further
projected through the fading out of blue into black and the top of the cover. An
alternative interpretation to the colour scheme could however be the fact that the
album was released in February and therefore is just representing winter
colours. This could suggest the reason that the cat appears in doors and the
requirement for bright eyes. However this could also be a representation of the
music on the album and the dazed effect on the audience – or simply the
originality of their music.

6. The CD for the album coincides with the album cover through the matched use of the
house cat. However, there is no editing in the cats eyes – which suggests that the cover
was using the connection between the cats eyes and the audience in order to entice. The
use of the continuity between the cover and CD certifies the originality of the band which
is highly important for being part of indie music which has such a wide range of both
artists and audiences. The location of the eyes is perfectly placed with the centre of the CD
being in the middle.
On the CD however there appears to be a reflection of the room which further replicated
the album for Beacon which implies that using simple, everyday locations for shoots is
typical of the band. The cat then fits into this theme and isn’t such an abstract image after
all. The use of the reflection ultimately suggest that the cat can see something you cannot
therefore the cat has heard the music and you have not. This acts as an encouragement to
the audience to listen to the album because a connection has been formed.
The colour scheme of the image on the CD contrasts from the dark front cover to the light
which implies that the opening of the CD represents the turning on of the light switch –
brightening the image, just as it would make the audience one step closer to listening to
the music. The fact that there is a link between the CD and the cover also makes it easier
for the audience to put the two together after listening to the music because it is
automatically identifiable. The colour of the cat on the CD follows the colour scheme in a
sense that it is the same as the blue tones used on the cover and the colour of the text on
the CD despite knowing that the cat isn’t blue.
The use of the band name on the CD is in a inverted triangle with the continued use of the
‘O’s – a convention for this album and so we can assume the single releases follow the
same theme. However on this occasion the ‘O’s’ in ‘Door’ are linked together – this could
imply that the audience are closer to the CD and the two become one.
The CD also has a set list following the circumference at the bottom of the disk. This is so
that the audience know the song list independently from the whole digipak. It could also
be said that this effect tries to mimic the shape of the cats face – the band title being the
nose and the song list being the mouth.

7. The back of the digipak focuses on the song list featuring the colours navy and
white which are prominent throughout the cover and inside. The use of the ‘O’s is
continued to show link the whole didipak together. The ‘O’s however are used
most frequently and every song on the list includes at least two references to
them which links to the name ‘Two Door’ and the branding of the band.
Beneath the song list is the list of copyright and links to the label which is in a
music smaller font to show it isn’t significant for the audience.
At the bottom of the page is again the label name and logo to inform of the
branding behind the artist which helps develop the brand which can only lead to
more influences and potentially funding.
As expected the barcode is then on the back – showing that the album was for
production to go on sale. It also keeps it away from the album art and away from
how the album would be displayed.
The other aspect to notice about this back which is conventional of digipaks is to
include the band name and album name along the spine in order for ease of
access from a shelf which is highly beneficial for the audience to be able to
identify the CD.
The use of a full image on the inside case, that is not one of the band again
suggests the focus is on the music. With Two Door Cinema Club the albums tend
to have a focus on either objects or shapes and therefore this aspect of the digipak
follows the conventions. For example in the background there is a wheel which
links to the idea that this is for a CD.
The fact that the only person featured on the digipak is of presumably a fan – it
further represents the idea that the band care more about the music they give to
their fans than the image they portray.
The image and location itself are very stereotypical of indie music in that she is
by the sea, in a city/town that clearly has a more vibrant and relaxing atmosphere
further represented in the use of the blue tone on the image.

8. Bombay Bicycle Club

9. Bombay Bicycle Club Digipak Analysis
The front cover of the digipak focuses on the mental element of the ‘fix’, through
the use of the psychedelic patterns which suggest it is a reference to the anti-
estblishment culture of the 1970’s. This links to the term ‘fix’ from the album title
which means to take an addictive drug. This suggests that the music is like an
addictive drug to the audience. This then explains why the image focuses on the
brain and senses (nose and mouth) both of which can be used in the involvement
of drugs. The use of this imagery then implies that the music on this particular
album is enjoyable.
The cover also features the band name however this is very small compared to the
album name and image however this implies that the album is targeting those who
appreciate artwork and the band already, thus would be able to recognise the style.
However the inclusion of the band name only emphasises the branding – in the
sense that it appears on everything that the band have produced.
The title of the album and the band name are in the same font which also confirms
the idea that the album is aimed at existing fans of the band who would recognise it
straight away.
The colour scheme of the album is similar that of connotations of health and
looking after people – this again links to the idea that the album affects biology by
changing chemicals in the brain – possibly a link to the endorphins released when
listening to music.
The inside panel of the digipak link directly to the drug reference in that this represents
the chemical reaction happening inside the body. All of the colours used appear in the
brain on the cover of the album. This to some degree represents the distance from the CD
the audience are once they have opened the digipak. It also refers to the possible reaction
to the music. This image does however also have a similar appearance to a virus – which
could again further imply that the music is addictive, because like a virus you can’t get rid
of it.

10. The highlight of this digipak is the continuity of images to represent
the cultural influence on the music. For example there is a cross over in
the image on front to the backpage – which also covers the spine of the
digipak. Again the font on the back page is the same as the band name
and album title, this again shows the continuity of the album across all
promotional material and media products.
Like most digipacks the back has the copyright scripts and a barcode
all of which are about company policy. This back also features the
record label which appears to be a common theme for any digipaks.
The more solid colour here represent the idea of relaxing and also a lot
of psychedelic patterns include blue.
The actual CD uses the same pattern that appears inside the heads used on
the cover. This implies that the CD is the fix and will have a similar effect
chemically as drugs that change chemicals. Although the pattern is similar
the colours are more vibrant and the detailing appears greater. This is the
illusion of importance because the image looks focused.
Again this album is focused on patterns and images rather than the band
and this suggests that the focus is more on the music and what that means
for the fans as oppose to branding. It also highlights the fact that this was not
the bands first album and have therefore already established an audience.