! updated artwork ! NEW ALBUM + SINGLE + LIMITED EDITION ARTWORK : ellie goulding - delirium + on my mind

This is an interesting one... So Ellie Goulding's star has been steadily rising over her last two albums and with her next release 'Delirium' she is going for all out Pop princess (especially if she carries on with songs like the Max Martin-penned 'On My Mind' - what a tune!). 

The album was announced along with the single and some limited edition release options also, all with their cover artworks. But now, with a month left before release date, the artwork has been tweaked slightly to use a serif typeface, rather than the orignal sans serif. This may seem like a non-event to some, but actually for such a stripped down cover the change to the text actually has a strong visual effect. Let's have a look below:

The "new" version of the cover (this is the standard edition of the album):

And here is the "original" version (using the same typeface as the 'Halcyon' cover art):

Below is a comparison of the two logos:

Here is the new cover for the deluxe edition of the album, with the new typeface also:

Hmm... to me it seems an odd turn of events. This next release is highly anticipated for Ellie, with some asking if she can take it up a level and maintain the standard of "pop star" that she has cultivated? With this anticipation and level of popularity, I'm sure she has major backing by a record label. It seems odd to me that artwork would be approved, signed off and sent out publicly (across all platforms of her social media, website, official store etc), to then be tweaked and changed. It comes across as sloppy to me and doesn't bode well for the handling of the album roll out. Especially as now there are inconsistencies across her website with some pages still using the old logo and some pages featuring the updated one.

Here is the single artwork for 'On My Mind', featuring the sans serif typeface also, another level of inconsistency now that the main font used for the rest of the album era will be the serif type:

This leaves me wondering: why the change and why now, at this late stage of the album release? Was it to step her away from the 'Halcyon' visual, the still pop but slightly more experimental sounding last album? Was it to embrace the wave of serif fonts being seen used more and more recently - to reflect the potential change in fashion of graphic design?

Hmm... let's see how this one rolls out...and while we wait, check out the limited edition vinyl and boxset versions the album will be released in, featuring art cards and a black & white version of the album cover:

 

Positive note though, I'm loving the pastelly colour palette and images being used - so there's that :)

LIMITED EDITION : kylie minogue - kylie (debut album) (reissue collector's edition)

Now, long time readers of the simonsez blog will know I LOVE me a Kylie limited edition release (see here, here and here). So when it was announced that Ms. Minogue's first four albums would be re-released as special celebrations of her PWL years, I was more than overjoyed to hear there would be limited edition boxsets involved. So, to celebrate in my own special way I will be putting up four special posts to share the reissued albums - starting with her debut album "Kylie". ENJOY (YOURSELF)!!

The boxset is the size of a 12" vinyl and comes with the original album art emblazoned on the front. Let's be honest, that late 80s cover hasn't held up amazingly, once you get up close even the photo quality is really something to behold in all its fuzzy glory.. But somehow it adds into the feel of the piece. It's honouring the fashions and early looks of the pop princess, not trying to modernise and cover over the cheesier pictures etc. For that, it really feels like a celebration and a time capsule to be delved into.

For anyone who has the CD (or even the cassette) version of the album, you will see how true this has kept to the original artwork - from cover to logos to spine design.

That hair hat she's rocking is truly iconic! :D

Now lets lift the lid and dive in..

Click "Read More" to see the rest of the post...

LIMITED EDITION : laroux - trouble in paradise (deluxe box set)

When Laroux first announced a comeback after multiple years silence, I was very happy. I was even happier when the 'Trouble In Paradise' album was announced and EVEN HAPPIER when the cover art was unveiled (stay tuned for that, if you still haven't feasted your eyes). The cherry on top of this already multi-layered feast was that the album would also be released a deluxe box set...so let's go In For The Kill and dive in...

One major selling point of this edition was the fact it has it's own exclusive cover, very much in the vein of it's Pop Art, collagey original artwork - this one elaborates more on the lazy, sun soaked Americana imagery we had already seen glimpses of.

And what says Americana better than a nice glossy glaze! Certain elements of the matte cover have been stencilled out in a shiny coating which adds to the texture and look of the piece. Stunning :)

This is a limited edition boxset - only 3000 were produced - each one is individually stamped.

I love that the outside box feels quite understated, glossy and white. It makes the insides pop even more so...

Click "Read More" to see the rest of the review and my score for this piece! :) 

LIMITED EDITION : kylie minogue - kiss me once (limited edition vinyl box set)

So, I felt it was high time for another round of "My Editions" - where I post about a limited edition piece from my personal collection. This time I'll be diving 'Into The Blue' with Kylie Minogue's 'Kiss Me Once (Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set)'. It's a gorgeously kissable, silk cloth-bound box set filled to the brim with sass. So let's get going!

First stop, what's included:

- 12" double vinyl of the standard version of the album 

- Deluxe edition of the album on CD (With exclusive artwork featuring handwritten lipstick text by Kylie herself)

- Card featuring digital download code for the album

- 5 x 12" art prints on heavy paper stock, featuring an exclusive image only in this box set and a hand numbered life size kiss from Kylie

- 12" vinyl sticker sheet with 'Kiss Me Once' lips graphic

- 12" "faux window" featuring raindrops and the album title, so you can recreate the album artwork!

All is contained in a silk cloth-bound 12" vinyl box. 100 copies were signed by Kylie at random.

Next stop...some beautiful images and commentary of this dee-lightful box set:

A close up on that loverly, shimmering silk cloth-bound box. It simply features the 'Kiss Me Once' lips graphic stitched in the middle of the lid and it's hard to get the full effect without holding it in your hands. I spent a solid twenty minutes just stroking it... (in honour of 'Les Sex' and 'Sexercise' of course!). A simple touch, but it really adds to a sense of elegance about the piece.

It's a very slimline box, I was actually quite surprised when it arrived. At first glance it looks like it could only fit in a couple of vinyl - but keep reading to see what else is included.

Lid off and you're greeted by more lips and lipstick...I'm sensing a theme... It really does remind me of Christina Aguilera's 'Bionic', but it's so gorgeous I'm willing to overlook it

Click "Read More" to see the rest of the review and my score for this piece! :)

NEW ALBUM, LIMITED EDITION & SINGLE ARTWORK : kylie - kiss me once (album & limited edition vinyl boxset) & into the blue

Now, as loyal followers of this blog may know - simonsez is an avid fan of some Kylie artwork. Like really REALLY. So when a new Kylie era begins, you know I have some high standards for her to meet ;) So dive in below to Ms. Minogue's eleventh release...

It is titled 'Kiss Me Once' and the artwork is giving me hints of Christina's 'Bionic', with all it's red-lipstick-sex-in-the-shower realness. I'm liking it a lot!

AND you know I'm always sold on a special, limited edition release of an album :D:D and this one will not disappoint! The limited edition run will include:

- 12" vinyl and CD version of the album

- 5 x 12" art prints - featuring an exclusive image from the album photoshoot and a lifesize Kylie lip print (EEEE!)

- 12" sticker sheet of lip prints

- (What I'm most excited for!) A 'faux window' featuring waterdrops and the album title, so you can recreate the album cover...get that rep lipstick ready!

- Also, 100 will randomly be selected and signed by the 5ft diva herself!

UPDATE!

- Due to major demand the run will now be 3,500 and each one will have a hand numbered print included (probably the image that is exclusive to the boxset)

Praise be!

Not done yet on this Kylie extravanganza - there's the single artwork to go at yet! Below is 'Into The Blue', the first offering from the new era and it is euphoric bliss from start to finish. It has elements of a mermaid (almost like when Ariel first gets her legs and fashions a garment out of an old ships sail... but better!).

Also we get a glimpse of a new logo from this album, still keeping elements of the pillar effect that the 'Aphrodite' album used - love it! Check out a higher quality version below:

Gorgeous.

UPDATE:

Kylie sent out an image on her Instagram account of her holding the single's promo CD and the artwork appears to be altered, focusing more on the handwritten type...I hope they haven't let go of the new 'Kylie' logo :(

NEW LIMITED EDITION ARTWORK : lana del rey - the singles (7" vinyls box set)

'Born To Die : The Paradise Edition' isn't the only LDR news to get excited about this festive season - it has surfaced that the French Music store 'FNAC' will release an exclusive collection of 7" vinyls packaged as 'The Singles' (check out their website here). The artwork isn't as flawless as her other covers, but she is giving me floppy hat realness...so mama still wants it!

NEW LIMITED EDITION ARTWORK : kylie minogue - the abbey road sessions (limited edition casebound book & 2 vinyl edition)

Kylie has just released her orchestral album 'The Abbey Road Sessions' today and images have arisen of the two limited edition versions. Check out the 'Limited Edition Casebound Book':

Also, a delightful .GIF showing off the version has surfaced too...look at it go!

Also, for all the vinyl fans out there, there is 'The Abbey Road Sessions (2 Vinyl Edition)', which also comes with a CD version of the album and an exclusive new layout for all the artwork (such as a delicious looking gatefold!). Check out the official promo pics below:

NEW LIMITED EDITION : florence + the machine - spectrum (say my name) (white vinyl edition)

A new Florence single means a new limited edition white vinyl! We've seen her previous releases from the 'Ceremonials' era (check them out here) have the divine makeover - with a new image taken by Karl Lagerfeld and housed in a deluxe sleeve. Check out 'Spectrum' below:

NEWS : emotional story behind limited edition florence + the machine vinyl

in december i wrote about a new competition for fans to design special, limited edition 7" vinyls (for songs from florence + the machine and 6 other acts), that would be auctioned off to raise money for the teenage cancer trust. this week it was announced that one of the winning artworks was designed by a girl named louise clifford, who had decided to produce a watercolour painting as a tribute to her friend, natalie roberts, who was a major fan of florence and had passed away in 2010. natalie had had a rare form of cancer for some time and it had been said that florence's music had helped her greatly during her treatment, she had even met her idol during a teenage cancer trust event at the royal albert hall. personally, i could see no better artwork to be selected for the special vinyl piece (see below). a really lovely story that perfectly embodies the spirit of art, music and the charitable nature of the cause.

(source: dailymail.co.uk)

! updated ! NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : lady gaga - marry the night (7" inch picture disc vinyl)

originally posted the b-side of the latest 7" vinyl from gaga, here is the a-side.....basically just a cropped version of the CD single, but it's always nice to see a good ol' sticker once in a while!

NEW SINGLE ARTWORK : lady gaga - marry the night (7" inch picture disc vinyl)

here's a photo of the up coming picture disc vinyl release of 'marry the night'...i haven't been posting about these for the other 'born this way' singles...i'm not sure why, i will from now on :D

(source : twitter / @Lady_GaGa_Mx)

LIMITED EDITION : lady gaga - born this way (collector's edition)

one of many editions gaga is releasing of 'born this way' (along with the standard edition, the 2 CD deluxe edition, the vinyl 'fan package', the USB limited edition, the 'born this way : the remix' and 'born this way : the collection' sets). probably the rarest of all the releases, the set includes nine 12" picture-disc vinyls (each one showcasing an individual image from the nick knight artwork photoshoot). each vinyl holds one song on each side, making up the deluxe edition of the album altogether, and a personal message from the gargs' etched onto each one as well. also included is a 24"x24" "little monster mosaic" poster (made up of images uploaded by fans) and each box is printed with an individual number.

breathe.

so, let's dive in!

(click "Read More" to see the rest of the photos!)

front of boxset (loving how simple it is! only gaga could have herself as a motorbike woman on one cover and nothing on the next)

the covering on the box has a faux-leather quality to it which really adds to the detail of the piece (and deliciousness :D)

back

sticker...no track listing, just record company mumbo...

the individual number is stamped on the back, a rare piece!

the sides of the box are completely blank, no title anywhere but the front. i love this feel to it, gets you all excited for what's about to be discovered inside...

opening up... and the BEAUTIFUL contents is revealed. still quite visually subdued, but luxurious and exquisite at the same time! (seriously, the quality of this set calls for such words!). on top of all the contents is placed the album's credits sheet, making full use of the iconic skull illustration by eliot flores