DETAILED CLASS

ANALYSIS OF MUSIC
MAGAZINE
MAISIE FRANKLIN

The first thing that the reader of the magazine is drawn too is the
large main cover photo of Dizzee. The shot used is a long shot at
a canted angle to create a distorted effect. This represents Dizzee
to be a light hearted and energetic music artist. His squatted
position and body language connotes the magazine is more
informal and edgy, as well as suggesting the genre is for a
younger urban audience. Dizzees excited facial expressions and
direct address creates intimacy with the audience and tells them
the content is light hearted yet high intensity.

The rule of thirds has been used in this

image, to place Dizzees head in the top
left hot spot area, which immediately
draws attention to his excited facial
expression. The colour scheme of the
cover includes mostly red, with black
and white used in the background or to
accentuate certain features.
The barcode has been placed at the
bottom right hand corner of the page,
following the codes and conventions of
a magazine. It is clear for the reader to
see and is accompanied by the edition
date, informing the reader that it is the
latest edition of the magazine.

The main cover line is in capital letters

and a bright bold white font, which
contrasts well with the masthead. The top
line is at a slanted angle to anchor the
main image and complement the canted
angle of the main cover image. The main
cover line states only the name of Dizzee
Rascal which draws maximum attention
to him, and the way in which he is being
represented on the cover. Dizzee is a
young black male rap star, and his
stereotypical casual clothing and gold
chain helps to further accentuate this. The
background of graffiti gives a more
negative connotation of young black
males being thugs or chavs.
The masthead is in a bold robust font,
with a striking and vibrant red fill to
match. This denotes that the target
audience is mainly male, particularly
those with an interest in rock/urban music
genres. It follows the codes and
conventions of magazines by being
placed towards the top left of the page.
The white and black outline gives a 3D
effect and helps draw the attention of the
reader.

FRONT
COVER

The cover line on the right hand side

includes another popular music
groups name, which again is made
more noticeable to the reader by
being in a bigger, bolder font. The
white colour font behind the red
background allows the cover line to be
more visible and eye-catching. The
magazine cover also includes a puff at
the top left corner to advertise more
music related news. It follows the
genre of the magazine and advertises
another area included inside that the
reader may find interesting. It follows
the colour scheme of the magazine by
having a bright red fill colour, and
black/white font detail.

The layout of the contents page follows the genre of the magazine, with
an edgy look and slightly slanted features to give a more relaxed and
less serious feel. The image used at the top of the central column is an
example of where the magazine has used a slanted image to create an
edgy look, appealing to the target audience of young people. The
magazine has carried the red/white/black colour scheme through to the
content page also, which helps to keep it looking uniform and
professional to the reader.
The page as a whole has been sectioned off into three columns, which is
more evidence of the magazine following the codes and conventions.
The column on the left lists all of the feature stories (article titles) that
the magazine wants to draw the readers attention to, along with page
numbers as a reference. Bold white font on a black background has been
used for the different sections of the magazine, making it clear to the
audience which articles belong to which sub section of the magazine.
The page numbers have been clearly presented in a bright red font also.

The border of the central column uses

bolts in each corner, giving a more urban
and rustic feel to the page, and following
the genre of rock/punk music. The grey
tones in the central column also help to
give an urban and young look to the
contents page. Brand identity has been
followed through onto the contents page
as you can see the NME logo on the top
left hand side before the CONTENTS
title.

ONTENTS
PAGE

The central column includes an image of a young girl alongside a tour bus,
which both appeals to the younger male audience as well as following the
genre of a music magazine. The girl in the image is wearing dark
rock/punk type clothing which also follows the genre of the magazine, and
the genre of music that is included in the content. The editorial feature
underneath includes a title anchored to the main image, and the word
touring links well to the tour bus in the image. The heading is in a white
but washed out font, again giving a edgy feel to the magazine. The girl in
the main image uses direct address to draw the readers attention to the
article underneath which is a special feature.
A promotion has been used in the bottom left hand side of
the third column and uses a bright yellow colour font, not
yet featured in the existing colour scheme. This grabs the
readers attention immediately as they look at the page. The
date and issue has also been included underneath the main
heading to inform the reader of how recent the edition is.
The language used in the central article is very relaxed and
personal, creating more intimacy with the reader and
appealing more to the target audience of young teenagers.

The mode of address used in the main image isnt direct, which
connotes mystery and that there is more to be uncovered about the
artist within the article. The article begins with a drop cap letter, which
follows the codes and conventions of all magazines, and helps to draw
the readers attention to the beginning of the article. The title of the
article is not aligned and includes a different range of font sizes and
slants. This helps to give an urban and messy type of feel to the page,
again appealing more to younger people and the target audience of
the magazine.
The overall impression you get from this double page spread is that it
is aimed at younger audiences, with a interest in urban culture and
music genres. The dominant image of a young successful black male
rapper also appeals to this target audience, and helps to represent
urban artists in a positive way. However, the mysterious look the artist
gives whilst graffiting the background wall, gives negative
connotations of young urban artists and younger generations, that
they are all thugs and dangerous to the community. The red colour of
Dizzees jacket follows the red colour scheme used in both the cover
and contents page.
The image of a radio and empty beer bottles underneath the
article relate to the young urban genre of the magazine. The
radio clearly links to the music aspect of the article, and the
beer bottles to the young urban culture. The bottles give a
negative connotation of young people again, suggesting
they all drink alcohol, and alongside the graffiti suggesting
they have no respect. However although this may not
appeal to adults, this image does appeal to young teens who
are into urban rebellious genres of music.

DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD

The basic layout of the page is split into two,

with the main image occupying the right and the
article on the left. The title of the article takes up
half of the right page, in a very large, bold,
capital letter font. The positioning of the title
means it is parallel with Dizzees upper body in
the accompanying image, which helps draw
attention to his stance and facial expression. A
medium long shot has been used of Dizzee, to
capture his urban clothing, side on stance and
more serious facial expression. His more stern
facial expressions, denote that the article will
involve more serious aspects focusing on his
personal life, which contrasts well with the bright
and excited facial expressions he showed on the
main cover image on the front cover. Again
graffiti has been included in the background to
appeal to the urban genre of the magazine, and
appeal to the target audience of young people
into urban music.