Analysis of Music Magazine - Front Covers

NME is published by IPC Media, which appeals to the younger audience who appreciate rock music.

The magazine appeals to their particular audience. The house style helps a buyer recognise the magazine from the strong bold font where the other text connotes with the masthead. The modal address helps with getting the audiences attention. With the use of language like “In the studio and about to go global” doesn’t bore the reader, makes them keen to read on and also communicates to the reader in the informal language they prefer. Again, the bold words from the banners stating “NME Exclusive” helping the magazine sell more and giving the impression that it has more included than normal.

The use of puffs and cover lines scattered around mentions other news and stories that again would appeal from the use of modal address. The centre image uses dominant ideology that gives the impression of a rebellious character shown from the tattoos. Finally the layout is designed to hide the information, which isn’t necessary such as the barcode and the price and enlarge the information, which is most likely to convince the reader to buy it. Also the layout of the cover lines fills the negative space or background, which is to make it seem packed with, stories, news etc. And well worth the price. 

The magazine, Metal Hammer is produced by Future publishing, which looks at both Metal and other mainstream music. The colours of this magazine appeal to both the genre and layout of this magazine. The centre image is a black and white image of the band “Dimmu Borgir” represented as a heavy metal band from the use of mise-en-scene (black clothes, long hair, make up on faces etc.). The use of the blood red on the title helps the masthead stand out and also reflects on what metal can be about. The magazine has also introduced the Norway flag as part of the centre image, which gives the reader the impression that the bands music will be different as the band are from another country.

The use of language is very short in words, as the audience are of the younger age, as the stereotype of a younger person would state they are not interested in reading a lot. Lastly the use of font varies from bold and clear to more unique and more suited to the house style. Which is part of the modal address to help the magazine sell.

Future Publishing produces guitarist magazine, which is a specialist magazine for people who are interested in or play guitar. The masthead is kept simple, however clear which is to help people recognise the genre of the magazine, this goes with the centre image which is a brightly coloured guitar also used to try and catch the readers attention.

This magazine also uses a house style for this particular issue, which are orange, white and grey. This is so the text and image both connote the magazine to make the layout flow. The use of language is quite formal as ages of this niche audience vary, again the use of cover lines highlight the main words which would jump out to the audience, such as the word “Fender” which people know it’s a popular guitar make. This magazine also includes a lot of advertisement and competitions where the prizes would most likely be items to do with guitar. The magazine also mentions reviewed guitars and interviews with famous guitarists such as Joe Satriani, which would interest almost any guitar player.