Third Textual Analysis - Artrocker

            Textual Analysis 3 - Front Cover

On this Artrocker music magazine front cover it features the popular alternative band 'The Horrors'. The alternative looking and unique front cover image is clearly the main focus and attraction. The greyscale portrait images of each individual band member connotes the "retro" and alternative influences and inspirations from previous artists and bands in the music industry which have contributed to the sound of The Horrors music. 

The multi-coloured stripey graphics create an interesting and quirky contract across the greyscale images, the graphics connote the well known VCR pattern and helps to reinforce both the overall retro and alternative look of the cover image and The Horrors identity. The main image is also structured in a collage format as it look unfinished, messy and handmade, this connotes The Horror's alternative image, their identity and personalities to be carefree and reckless. 

The entire main colour pallet consists of black, white, greys, black and pinks; Artrocker have chosen appropriate pastel and dull colours which are associated with their alternative music genre. The masthead is bright pink which is in contrast to the grey scale images . The typography of the headline 'The Horrors' looks handwritten, aged and Gothic which reinforces and connotes their alternative identity that they are trying to convey. 

Three members of the band in the main cover image are wearing sunglasses including the lead singer Faris Badwan, who also has the largest grey scale portrait image, suggesting he is of the most significance to the band. Sunglasses are an indexical symbol of this front image as they connote the band members to be 'mysterious' and 'cool'. Sunglasses are used as a costume prop across all music genre's and act as a 'fashion statement' and usually always have the same connotation. They suggest the band members of having an 'anonymous' or a 'hidden identity' which leaves the audience wanting to find out more about them. Like other alternative band poses in magazines, The Horrors also have emotionless facial expressions which reinforces their cool, hidden, and mysterious personalities. This 'seductive' look attracts their female audience.