Conventions of album covers

Conventions of album covers

Although most people listen to their music through digital downloads, album artwork is still very important. It is shown digitally, on CD's and Vinyl, and can say a lot about the artist just from your first glance at their product. The conventions show the audience what type of genre the album is or if it's by a musician they recognise or enjoy already. Really cool or interesting album art can be a selling point in itself. And for studios, it helps them create a star image and a brand for their artist.

Pop album conventions:

Nancy Sinatra:"Sugar" 1967 

The front cover tells the audience everything they meed to know about the album. A large picture of Nancy in a bikini is on the left, this, her slightly vacant expression, and her blonde bombshell look contribute to a very feminine, pretty and gentle tone to the album. We can see from the way this is strongly stylised, that she is a synthetic artist, and has a very fixed aesthetic that people have come to expect. 

The name of the album and of the artist is usually the largest, and the first text that people will look at. In this case, the album name "Sugar" is in all caps, bringing the attention there first, followed by the artists name, Nancy Sinatra, underneath. The hot pink font and baby pink background are conventions showing that this is a pop album, and most likely directed at teenage girls. Underneath the title in smaller writing and a grey font, are a few of the hits included on the album, to make it even more tempting for fans.

The Back cover

The back is simple, with her name and album name again at the top. Aswell as showing the producer and studio, we are shown the track names in the correct order, split into columns showing the A and B side. There is a photo of her and Lee Hazlewood, her producer, underneath, and we have a bit more information about her. It follows very similar conventions, but with soft, warmer tones to contrast the vibrancy of the from.

Rock album conventions:

Cream: "Disraeli Gears" 1967

From the same year as 'Sugar' I chose another of my favourite albums, 'Disraeli Gears' by arguably one of the greatest rock bands ever. The album os covered in bright and colourful drawings, shapes, and objects with the three band members faces at the top. The psychedelic art and colour scheme shows instantly that this is going to be a trippy rock album, and is so eye catching. 

The band name is in the bottom third of the album, and in a fun bubble font, adding to the exciting tone of the artwork. Hidden above it in smaller writing is the album name, that almost blends into the background.


The back cover

The back of this album is very different, but just as eye catching (no pun intended). We have the name of the album again but in a much clearer black and white font, so it's easier for the audience to figure out what album this is. The song names are very small, so is the legal information on the side, probably to not distract to much from the puzzle-like artwork. The chaotic and messy photos show strong connotations to classic rock, showing us more about what sort of brand the band has, which has a very strong feeling of an organic band.

Hip-Hop/Rap album conventions:

Fugees: 'The Score' 1996

This late 90s album is very simplistic yet powerful. The band name is the most prominent, in a funky orange font in the top left. Diagonal to this we have the name of the album in the same lettering. We can see the three musicians in the centre, with their faces lit up and surrounded by black. Certain connotations such as their ethnicity and outfits, such as the sunglasses, connote towards the hip-hop genre. Their expressions also give a more serious but relax mood, showing them to be more organic artists.

The back cover

On the back, we do not get any legal information but this is a certain continuity as we see the back of the musicians. The colour scheme continues, and with the dark sillouets of the musicians and the pale orange sky, there is a urban atmosphere, contributing to the connotations. We also have contrasting white font at the bottom, against the black, that lists the song names in order.