Comparison of DigiPaks (Rihanna)

Comparing Rihanna-Talk That Talk and Loud (album cover)

These front covers have both similarities and differences:

Ø Both album covers show Rihanna to become sexualised through her facial expression (particularly her mouth). Both slightly open and suggestive reflecting her sexuality (being a modern sex-icon) and rebellious side she is well known for (her brand)

Ø Both show signs of wealth-having many rings on in the Talk That Talk album and a diamond earring in the Loud cover. This suggestion of wealth paired with her rebellious side gives off a sense of ‘power’ within both images (the originals shown above)-perhaps sexually and within the industry as a female artist

Ø Both images also expose Rihanna’s tattoos, with a suggestion of her being ‘current’ with fashion (being a fashion icon). Her selection of costume in the Talk That Talk album and striking hair colour in Loud reflecting this further.

Ø  Although these covers are similar, they differ through the colour schemes (feel of the cover overall). The Loud album being predominantly ‘romantic’ colours of red, pink and purple/blue and the Talk That Talk album being more bright and ‘loud’ colours reflects the differences of the content. Talk That Talk being very much a suggestive album-the content suggesting sex workers and drug use in comparison to Loud-being more based around love and loss can be seen clearly through both albums and is enforced further when contrasting the two

àNot only do the differences in the album covers suggest different content within both albums but also an image change for Rihanna as an artist/brand. Loud being released before Talk That Talk suggests Rihanna’s image as an artist changes over the time period in between the second albums release. Becoming both more sexualised as an artist and female (objectification of the female body) and also a lot more rebellious-something she became very well known for in the social media after the release of Talk That Talk.