The bold 'Q' stands out in a classy yet simple font, in keeping with the magazine's higher end reputation. The 'Q' contrasts strongly with the red box background, giving a clear yet striking image that over time you could argue has become iconic. The fonts on the cover as a whole follow the sharp and simple precedent set by the 'Q' logo.
The selling line under the 'Q' logo is 'a different take on music' which suggests the magazine doesn't necessarily follow trends and that it is alternative, which is representative of the magazine's varying genres of cover stars.
The cover line of "Lily Allen" is shown in a sans serif font. The contrast of black and white shows that she has two sides and there are two sides to her story, which is relevant as Lily Allen in particular has often suffered at the hands of the media, showing one side of the story. Maybe this interview will show her side? The use of the contrasting shades of black and white also have contrasting connotations of mystery or danger and purity or innocence.
The image of Lily Allen with two jaguars is obviously staged and they are positioned in an almost-podium like fashion, with Lily Allen on top, suggesting she could in fact be more intimidating and mysterious than the jaguars. Jaguars are also a status symbol, they are expensive and could be representative of the jaguar car brand, which suggest Lily Allen is of expensive taste and so is the magazine, which relates to the magazine's audience. The jaguars also relate to the femininity of the image and bring together the relationship of female and feline. Allen satisfies the Male Gaze in this image. She is stood with her back to the reader yet she is topless and looking over her shoulder, biting her finger. Her whole pose is very provocative. This is an extremely sexualised image and one that will satisfy the male audience through the medium of sex and the female audience through a want to replicate such an image. Lily Allen's hair is black, her leggings and shoes are black, keeping consistence with the rest of the cover. Black is a colour of mystery and evil, suggesting Allen is mysterious and possibly evil.
The extension of the cover line sees the words "sexy" and "beast" juxtaposed by innocent colours. The use of the words wicked, wicked ways is alliteration and a persuasive device to pull readers in. The words wicked are in red and this signifies blood, danger, war, dangerous connotations as a whole.
The subheadings in the top right corner follow the consistent house style and font of the rest of the cover but the font size is reduced, as the stories are not the leading stories. The word 'exclusive' is known as a buzz word and makes the potential buyer believe they are getting something unique and special, although in fact the exclusive is exclusive for the magazine rather than the reader, the effect still applies. The word is highlighted by a contrasting serif font in red and therefore stands out, releasing its ability to drag the reader in. The use of the phrase "plus 101 more reviews" uses the buzz word of "plus" and the statistical reference offers the reader a number for their money, helping persuade the reader that the magazine offers good value. The use of the phrase "their own story in their own words" offers the reader yet again more of an 'exclusive' oppurtunity.
The plug of "The 25 Greatest Rock Movies" is a hook, placed intentionally to offer the reader something extra and something to help persuade them to buy the magazine.
The menu bar along the bottom of the cover features various intriguing statements, designed as hooks to pull the reader in. The black/white/red/light blue colour scheme follows the house style of the cover.
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