Musician · Other
Doug Wilson traces the convention of reading ALL CAPS as shouting from documented nineteenth-century newspaper usage through telegrams, public notices, and early internet culture. The article argues that habitual uppercase use has diluted its authority and encouraged lowercase typography as a signal of authenticity and vulnerability. It also introduces Bristol type and lettering designer Jamie Clarke's attempt to create an impactful uppercase display font with a more conversational, human tone.
In this cultural column, Gary Grimes explores how major female pop stars are increasingly commissioning fine artists to create their album artwork, merging pop culture with high art. The article highlights collaborations such as Olivia Rodrigo with Chloe Wise, Lily Allen with Nieves González, and Katy Perry with Will Cotton, showing how these partnerships elevate pop musicians’ cultural prestige. Grimes argues that these crossovers reflect a growing desire among pop icons to be seen as part of the fine art canon.
The article explores the handcrafted production design behind Olivia Rodrigo’s music video for 'The Cure', led by Liam Moore. It details how a team of over two dozen craftspeople built a tactile world using cardboard, yarn, and stop-motion techniques under the direction of Jaime Gerin and Cat Solen. The piece highlights the balance between softness and severity in the visual storytelling and the artist’s hands-on involvement in the creative process.
The article explores how contemporary musicians are increasingly treating album campaigns as immersive visual worlds, integrating design, photography, and set direction into cohesive brand identities. It highlights projects like Chappell Roan’s 'The Subway' and Charli XCX’s 'Brat', and discusses Bijan Berahimi’s exhibition 'Eyes and Ears' that surveys this trend. Designers and creative directors emphasize the growing importance of visual storytelling in music marketing.