Saskia - Analysing an advert

Lily Allen - The Fear
I chose to analyse this advert as Lily Allen is another Indie artist, like Ellie Goulding. She is also unique and bold in her style.

Genre
How is the genre of the track/artist evident? The genre of the artist is Indie, which is shortened from independent. Independent artists are usually unique and independent in their style and their work is usually created at a low budget.

Costume – Lily Allen has an original and unique style. This is shown in her advertisement for her album ‘The Fear’ as she is wearing an extravagant dress with a hair accessory that would probably be worn to a formal event.

Setting – The artist is sitting on large letters in a studio. This is unusual and typical of an Indie artist as it does not conform to the standard norm of an advert for an artist which would usually be a plain or scenic backdrop.

Colour – The colours are again bright, gaining a ‘quirky’ sense. It shows that Lily Allen is independent and her ideas and songs are different and ‘out there’.

Typography – There is a variety of font used. This album seems almost playful. Not only is the artist sitting in a position with a childlike expression on her face, but she is sitting on block letters connoting childhood. The writing ‘The Fear’ is almost like children’s neat handwriting.

Media language
What visual techniques are used?
The rule of thirds is again evident in this advert, like the Kate Nash album cover. Lily Allen is positioned on the third vertical line and first horizontal. This framing is effective as there is a clear pathway for the audience eye line going from the title to the artist and then looking at what she is sitting on. The colours are bright, appealing and stand out. This could be attractive to an audience who are looking for unique and bold music.


How is meaning generated through these techniques?
These techniques create a childish and odd theme to the advert. It ensures that it is not plain, but playful and interesting. The use of bright colours captures the audiences eye and may ensure focused viewing.

What linguistic devices have been used?
‘The Fear’ seems in opposition with the objects placed in the advert. The word fear could connote darkness or someone being scared, however the objects and artist would suggest a playful and cheerful atmosphere. This adds depth to the album and intrigues the audience.

Is there any intertextuality/references to popular culture?
Postmodernism is evident in this advert, as it was on the Kate Nash album. The two artists are alike in that they are indie artists and both have independent and unique dress sense. This uniqueness is also present in the advert as it seems bold and daring.

Representation How are the band/artist represented?
The artist could be represented as unusual and possibly slightly ‘mad’. The mise-en-scene of her costume and choice of background are bold statements and makes Lily Allen seem completely original.

Institution and Audience
How might this print text be consumed?
This text may be consumed in an ambient way at first. This could happen in situations such as watching the music video to one song on the television or hearing the song on the radio. The audience may then choose focused viewing and to buy the whole album.