NME Double Page Spread Analysis

This text in this double page spread adopts the use of standard English and is written in the form of constant prose embedding quotes all the way through. The effect of this is that it makes it more appealing to a sophisticated audience. In the title we cannot gather much information about what the article is about; this makes audiences eager to read on. Using the sub-headings is really effective as it gives out information about the article. Adapting to the more mature audience, the technique used of text throughout the article is opposite to an R&B magazine which generally implements the simple question and answer method.

Intertextuality has also been employed in the title of the article which is: ‘Art of Darkness’. This has been drawn from Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’, perhaps this was assimilated so that readers are able to relate to the subject matter. The letter ‘X’ is frequent in the background and to separate paragraphs, this is been done so audiences remember the band’s name for future references or if they want to find out more about them.

They have used a very dark colour scheme which goes with the genre of music ‘The XX’ and NME produces. The use of the silhouette in the background and the poses that they are doing makes it look a bit enigmatic; this makes readers attracted towards it thinking that there is something to read about in the magazine. In the picture the band is wearing all black following the colour scheme used on the whole page, by doing this we can tell that they would like to appeal to an older audience. Having the female in the main focal point, really subverts the main ideologies associated with rock/indie bands as many of them are male dominant. By doing this, attention is drawn towards them as they are challenging a stereotype which leaves people wanting to find out more. Having both genders in the image is useful as it attracts both men and women. However, this woman looks quite manly which may be off putting for heterosexual males. In addition the men are posed facing towards the female, perhaps suggesting that they are her protectors- again in favour of male dominance.