CLASH magazine Analysis Clash is a popular music and fashion magazine and website based in the United Kingdom. It is published 10 times a year by Music Republic Ltd after Clash Music Ltd went into liquidation.
The brand's content alternates between modern bands such as The Horrors, Florence & the Machine and Jamie xx as well as hip-hop artists like DJ Shadow, Kanye West and Beastie Boys, who have all had cover spots in recent issues. It concentrates on music and fashion, and often their effect on surrounding culture, as well as film and technology.
Denotation Masthead The masthead is a white, bold, thick font; it is capitalised and sans serif. Below the words “the American dream issue”, it is the times new roman font, it is also sans serif, white and in italics. It is all centrally positioned at the top of the cover. Anchorage text The anchorage text reads “Lana del rey , ready to bloom again”. This is in a white 3D font that is capitalised and diagonally placed at the bottom of the cover. The shading is black and the typography is serif. “Ready to bloom again” is written in white simple font which is sans serif. Additional text The additional text features artist’s names. It is written in small, white thick font and is positioned slightly diagonally on the left side of the cover; the spacing is irregular. There is a bar code on the bottom left of the cover. Main image The main image is not placed on a background but functions as a background with the text positioned above it. The photo is not cut out in Photoshop and is shot on location. She is wearing white and orange clothing, her coat appears to look like wings. The main image is a mid-shot and is shot from birds eye view. The lighting is natural and appearing from the left side of the page. There is no direct eye contact, in addition she has a small tattoo on her hand and a simple ring. Her make up is minimal and natural, her hair was natural. House style The house style is black and white.
Connotations Masthead The use of a white, bold thick font is very effective as a title because it is simple, effective and attention grabbing. The use of the times new roman font gives it a more stylish and exclusive feel, and gives the overall effect of being universal and commercial. The additional information above clearly states the genres of the magazine; “film and fashion” clearly shows that this magazine is multitasking and is appealing to a bigger audience than the typical music magazine. Anchorage text The peculiar and unconventional use of 3D font and positioning gives this magazine a fresh and innovative look that would not typically be seen in most music magazines. The use of the language “ready to bloom again” connotes a rebirth or revival; this could relate to the article and suggest a new sound for Lana del rey. It follows the conventions of the anchorage text and the masthead being centrally placed. Additional text The artist’s names shows the reader at a first glance that this is a music/film/fashion/magazine. The odd spacing of this is a break from convention, keeping it simple and what you see is what you get. There is not any additional information, this follows the simplistic ideology. Main image The image is off the star Lana del rey this brings in the obvious star factor and interest, she is also a music star making it very relevant to this type of magazine. The fact that she isn’t being put upon a background or cut out shows a much more naturalistic, not faked look for the magazine backing the statement what you see is what you get. This is emphasized by the on location shot. Her whole look
(clothes, makeup and lighting) makes her appear to look angelic and pure, her jacket is white and fluffy and has a resemblance to angel wings adding to that look. The use of a mid-shot from a bird’s eye view and the lighting and filter emphasis her angel like features Her pose and lack of eye contact suggests her humility and innocence. Her whole look, her simple ring, small tattoo and minimal makeup and hair compliments her simplicity. House style The simple black and white house style is plain without complications but still manages to be aesthetically pleasing. In conclusion the cover is extremely simple, and to the point, but it still manages to keep a creative and stylistic feel. When making my own magazine I will try not to over complicate it and stick to an original basic idea.