Album covers of different genres

1. Genres of Music
Britney Dixon
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2. Pop Music
• Usually the artists in the music video are fashionable and
quite stylish.
• The artist also usually performs in the music video so you
can see them playing/singing to the lyrics.
• They are usually associated with teenagers/young adults
as it fits with the up beat genre and a lot of the imagery is
based on partying or sex as thats what they stereotypically
enjoy.
• Usually artists are portrayed in a sexual/ voyeuristic way
and reveal their body in most videos, this is too attract
the audience and draw them in.
• Also hair and makeup are used to communicate the
artists feeling and views with the audience and it usually
sends a message to the audience.
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3. Pop- Album Cover
• There will always be the artists name on the album cover.
This creates the artists image and the name is usually
followed by an eye catching image. There is also an album
title on the front of the album and this is to help the
audience feel what the artist felt while creating their
album.
• Pop album covers tend to be very bright and colourful.
The name of the artist and album name is usually very
clear and mostly in bold. The house colours are often
pink for a female artist, this emphasise that it is addressed
to the younger audience and it appeals to them more.
Pink is usually used as it connotes love and friendship so
it helps to create a connection between the audience and
the artist.
• The image of the artist and the background also contrast
a lot. This is to create a clear image of the artist and
emphasise their emotion and personality more.

4. Rock Music
• In a rock music video it tends to be clips of the band
performing so it shows the audience the atmosphere their
playing in but it sometimes cuts back and fourth between
performance and narrative showing us the artists
experiences. This creates a connection between the
audience and the artist.
• Again, the clothing in rock is usually fashionable but its
not as revealing as it is in pop videos. The members tend
to dress casual and in dull/dark colours as it gives the
feeling that they are laid back and it helps us to see the
expressions of how much they enjoy this music.
• They also usually play outside or in a concert and it is lit
up well with ambient lighting and this helps to show how
natural it is.
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5. Rock- Album Cover
• Rock album covers are very different to pop. The
background of a rock album cover is usually a dull and
dark colour. They create this as it matches with how the
band/artist is feeling and it also matches the colour of
the clothing they wear.
• The album covers are usually quite plain as well and not
cluttered. This is unusual for a genre as they are usually in
your face but rock album covers keep it plain as they are
recognised by their logo.
• Also the logo that most rock bands use can be associated
with death, for example- skull with wings. This creates
the sense of aggression and distortion and this represents
the type of music played in the album.

6. Indie Music
• Indie music tends to be performed by doing a live
performance for their videos as it helps to show how well
they can naturally sing.
• Sometimes they use a narrative video which is done by
using a sequence of images or videos to relate to the
song and they relate to the lyrics but it leaves room for
your imagination and creativity.
• The shots in these videos also tend to be close up on the
artist as it introduces the artists in the video and helps to
show their emotions.
• The costumes in these videos match the genre too as it
helps to show the heritage and gives the artist their
identity and a style so it is usually shown in all their
videos.
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7. Indie- Album Cover
• The background for indie album covers inclines to be a
faded black and white tone as this indicates an old style
of music, for example- Jake Bugg.
• Some indie album covers also have a border around the
image of the artist. This is to tell the audience that this
type of music is different to other music so it is
alternative.
• The image of the artist is typically a close up of the artist
as it helps to express to the audience their emotion when
they are playing this song and it helps us to feel the same
as them and have a connection with the artist. The
expression of the artist is usually a ‘straight face’ as it
shows their mood, for example- Lana Del Rey.
• The clothing the artist wears also dictate the genres. For
example, on indie album covers it tens to be a collared
blouse or a turned up collar on a jacket.

8. Hip-Hop
• In hip hop music videos there are many low-angled ad close
up shops and this is to show the audience that the artist has
power.
• Also a crowd is usually shown to be dancing in time to the
song and this implies that they like this song. This helps to
credit the artist as it makes it easier for the audience to enjoy
the song.
• The clothing in this genre tends to be tops like basketball
shirts or other sporting clothing and this helps to signify the
strength of the artist and it can be backed up by the artist
‘working out’ in the music video.
• There is also a lot of references to the wealth of the artist
and this is shown through the cars they own, jewellery and
moment so this helps to show status.
• In hip hop the main artist tends to be a male as well and this
again is to emphasise the power and he is ‘part of a group’.
• Also the male gaze theory applies to hip hop a lot as women
are seen as an object to the men and disposable.

9. Hip Hop- Album
Cover
• On an album cover for hip hop it tends to be an image
of a male. The male is shown to be shirtless and
sometimes covered in tattoos. This helps to create a sense
of strength, attraction and power.
• If females are on an album cover they are shown to be
wearing little clothing and very revealing. This follows the
male gaze theory again as they are just an ‘object’ for the
men.
• Most hip hop album covers have an explicit content on
their cover which helps to show that it is aimed at young
adults who use explicit language.