Research; Album Covers

Album Cover; Darren Styles, Skydivin'











- The artist is framed in the right hand side of the frame, with the use of a medium close up. The rule of thirds is used, which creates importance within the frame of the album cover.

- The main colour theme used upon the artist’s album cover is black and white, which suggests a more serious message, unlike the typical codes and conventions of a dance album. However, the decision to use much more subtle colours on the album cover relates to ideas that the artist does not want to relate this album to the ‘hardcore’ dance scene, therefore trying to gain the largest audience demographic possible.

- The use of the colour pink is used to highlight key parts of the album cover the audience should be directed too, such as the album title ‘skydivin’. Also this album does not follow typical codes of conventions of dance music, the use of pink is seen within several other hardcore/dance albums which links the genre together.


- This album follows the codes and conventions of solo artists with a key image of the artist, unlike various artist dance albums, which tend to use an attractive female to engage the audience.


- The facial expression and movement within the album cover challenge the stereotype of dance music, as he has a saddening or comtemplating expression upon his face. There is also no eye contact with the audience therefore he doesn’t connect directly with the audience, connoting mystery, which could engage the audience’s attention.


- The font used is quite small for a typical dance album as it doesn’t clearly attract the audience and isn’t as ‘in your face’ as most of the other dance albums. However, the use of the pink font colour would attract the audience’s eye, which would help with the commercial aspect of the album.


- With the use of pink, I would say the audience demographic for this album would be women, as pink is seen as a very feminine colour, and also as there is a male artist on the cover. The album is relying on the recognition of the artist for sales, as there is no copy of songs available on the album. Also, as there is a ‘parent advisory’ on the album is would be suggested that the target demographic is teenagers to mid twenties.


- The use of high key lighting within the frame is used to highlight aspects of the artists face to attract the audience’s attention towards the album. This also emphasises the importance of the artist, as it is his music. The costume used on the album is everyday, as he is wearing a black t-shirt, which could convey slight mystery towards the album. The use of the pink pattern on the t-shirt is used to catch the audience’s eye and engage them with the album.


- This album challenges a lot of the common facts within a dance album, as it is quite formal and subtle, whereas hardcore dance albums are the opposite of this. However, I feel it will still be of high commercial value as it has conventions, which attract the audience of the music industry.