This is an album cover for Britney Spears' most recent album: Circus. An album consist of conventionally 10-12 music tracks, however can include bonus tracks to intrigue the audience more.
The main image is always the main focus point, it seems albums have to include an interesting, attractive looking picture of the artist as this is one of the selling points as it exploits the genre and creates expectations for the genre of music and for the artist. The image is of the artist sat down looking at the camera. The camera angle is eye level, which like the magazines gives the audience the idea of being able to connect with the artist as there is no social status division between the two: this would be different if it was a low angle shot making the artist appear more dominant and powerful, this however, makes it hard for the audience to connect with the artist as there is a clear social division between them. The eye level theory can also make their music seem from their heart, and how they are feeling: it's personally from them. Her face seems to be very bare and has lack of make-up, i feel this enables the audience to see her as they haven't before, and by being viewed with no make-up it's almost like an exclusive look into her life and who she actually is as a person, rather how then the media perceive her to be. Her pose seems shy, perhaps with Britney Spears record of having a very public meltdown this shows a softer side to her, her vulnerability to the world, this connects well with the idea of the media twisting and making up lies about her life, how she can only tell the truth through her music: this is reinstated by the eye level camera angle. Her hair looks soft and long, this creates the idea of the femininity she has, and shows her in a good light, photograph wise, the hair is blonde which can connect with the idea her being young and of course she is vulnerable as there seems nothing more to be vulnerable then a young woman. Her costume consists of a pink dress, the colour is baby pink which again reinstates the idea of her vulnerability she has as a young woman. The dress isn't a revealing one which exploits her dignity and respect for herself which is seen as a good role model possibly in the eyes of the audience, this allows the target audience to be widened from the older audiences to the younger audiences as well. The photograph seems really intimate and allows the audience to see a side of Britney Spears which the media possibly wouldn't let you see: however, this is what an album is supposed to consist of, the idea of the audience seeing the artist for who they are through the music which they produce.
The text and font is seems to be used, all to add effect to the CD cover. The largest text on the cover states the artists name 'BRITNEY SPEARS' it stands out as it's in capital letters, this is eye catching and someone browsing in a music store would possibly see this CD first then others. The colour of the text is red, this could connotate to the idea of being 'Brand new and Red Hot Album!' It reflects excitement from the album, and creates excited within the buyers. It's also typical for a circus tent to include two expected colours: Yellow and Red, as circus tents include these colours in strips on their tents. The text is shaped as a tent, the 'Y' and 'S' in her name is the peak and the name follows up from 'Britney' and then follows down with the name 'Spears.' It's a stereotype of a circus being held in a tent, however with a circus theme being such a strong theme, the circus stereotype will be noticed and expected world wide, and this shaping of the font meets the audiences expectations therefore don't confuse the potential audiences. The font they've used for the artists name, is a quite show girl font, and is very circus themed: it's connotations include circus and performance.
The title of her album 'circus' is printed underneath her name, the text is smaller which is understandable as the name of the artist is a main focus point as if people are looking for an artists music, they search for the artist's name; rather then the title of the album. The text is in the colour mustard yellow which connects with the idea of the circus tent, with the tents expected to be striped with two basic colours: Red and Yellow. By using Yellow, it creates a variation within the album cover by including other colours as the album has to eye catching and interesting and by only placing one basic colour pallet, it isn't attracting the audiences attention as it could be. At the side of the album title 'Circus' there are two signs, these i feel help introduce the title as they are pointing towards it from each sides so it feels like an introductory feel. There are stars all the way around the album cover i feel this flatters the artist, saying to the audience how she is star quality, it also centres the artist making her the most noticeable thing in that album cover. The stars are a baby blue, which i feel reflects the vulnerably of the artist, however i also feel this reflects the idea of her being an 'out of this world' artist, as stars could connoted space, and out of this world.
In terms of representation: i feel this artist is being represented as clean, young and fresh. This is perfect for targeting the younger audiences as parents view the image she is portrayed in, and if they like the clean image they trust the artist for the music they produce: this is presenting Britney Spears in a clean, trustworthy light. Hip Hop artists are often photographed with all their jewelry and big expensive cars which have a negative effect upon a parents decision whether their children should listen to their music. By representing the artist in an honest light, it's widening the target audience. I feel every time an artist releases a new album, they should always represent themselves in a positive light for audience, who don't originally know the artist could feel they could potentially like their music through the representation of the artist.
The audience i feel who would buy this CD would be teenage girls, and all time fans who have been appreciating her music since she started out in the music business. Her clean, pretty image appeals to teenagers as they are bound to support some idolisation towards the artist. Her music is focused on dance-pop: people who buy this i feel will be more interested in the idea of escapism they can receive from the album, it's ideal to listen to from escapism from the stress when you're getting ready for a night out, dance-pop music builds up the excitement you feel for the night ahead.
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