Front Cover Analysis

The red colour has connotations of passion, anger, love and hatred. However the type of red used for the masthead is a bright, light red which can be seen as not gender specific. The masthead is one letter capitalised therefore further indicating the age range of the primary audience as well as highlighting their intellectual level. The masthead has partly hidden in the cover models head meaning the magazine could be more important than the cover model or not as well-known as other magazines to be able to hide part of its masthead and be recognised easily. The background of the masthead being red gives the magazine title depth and block, being easy to read to make to magazine look professional as well as giving it that extra edge. Furthermore, it can be used to make the magazine feel that each one has been specifically made for the reader, using the uses and gratifications theory meaning each reader make a personal connection with not only the magazine but the cover star used within the issue. The main sell lines that frame the centre image have used red within them making this there colour scheme and part of the magazines house style. The colour red, used with the cover star suggests to the reader that from a male point of view she is seen as passionate, loving almost due to the sexy pose yet isnt being provocative therefore still allowing the women to want to read the magazine. The font style used is formal which highlights the demographics of the audience being of the classes A, B, C1.

The stars name is placed under nether her head centre of the page being a large front presenting the main article is about her and her music. The main feature sell line is in a white and red font standing out against the dark background, in a spaced out capitalised font which portrays the older gender. The type of shot used is conventional mid shot that has been taken in a studio highlighting the magazine is serious and somewhat staged compared to the other rock or indie magazines which use live shots. The model is looking directly into the camera using the uses and gratifications theory that they have a personal connection, the artist reaching out to the reader. Each sell line has been divided by a background colour highlighting colour staying in with the colour scheme of red and white being adult appropriate compared to the buttons and icons that a child pop magazine would use.

The facial expressions used within this studio close up cover photo involves the cover model not smiling yet having her mouth slightly open with dark sexy red lipstick and a piece of metal in her mouth conveying herself in a sexual way appealing to the male market. The dark eye makeup used are dark or mysterious and the artist looking directly into the camera makes the reader feel she is directing her expressions at them making the magazine personal being one of the uses and gratifications. The rain used within the photo can also emphasise the sexual side of the women for the men highlighting the primary audience to be men yet the girls are not objectified meaning women will also be willing to buy the magazine using her as an icon rather than being discriminating towards women. The clothes she is styled in a way that is portrayed as dangerous and dangerous being intriguing and so portraying the genre of rock but can be other genres as well that is serious about music with honest reviews. The masthead is part of the housing style always being in the top left hand corner with the background being a bright red. The red connotes the male gender and power and money meaning the stereo typical person to purchase this magazine would be a man between the ages of 18 and 26 in the classes of A, B, C1 that has the disposable money to buy the magazine and an interest in rock styled music.