Secret 7: Initial Ideas and Research

Approaching the brief

In first approaching this brief I wanted to give each song a fair try when attempting to visualise creatively. I decided a good way to listen to all tracks was to so without watching any of their music videos or looking at any of their current album artwork - so as to not be influenced by any other aesthetics already associated with the well known tracks and artists. The track players on the secret 7 website made this nice and easy.

Initial thoughts and ideas when  listening to each track:

> S729 / CHVRCHES - CLEAREST BLUE

Secret 7: “Our personal favourite from Chvrches’ terrific 2015 album ‘Every Open Eye’. This synth pop track builds and build before exploding into something very special.”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

First thoughts when listening to the track:

-Progressive

-Atmospheric

-Echo soft angelic main voice

-Repetitive backing track and synth – could this feature in a pattern somehow

-Pop and light hearted – reflective in colour choice

-Title reflected in colour palette choice?

-Catchy and explosive when hook and beat reaches climax – could this be shown in pattern of design? Pattern gradually builds up in brightness/detail/colour/visual aesthetic? Corner to corner?

Previous album artwork research:

key lyrics to keep in mind:

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>S730 / ETTA JAMES - AT LAST

Secret 7: “The oldest track we’ve ever pressed! Originally released in 1960, this song is the definition of timeless and continues to soundtrack magic moments.”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

Previous album artwork research:

First thoughts when listening to the track:

This is a very well known track so to help I thought I would write down the things that first come to mind when listening to the track.

-Easy Sunday morning

-Relaxed and sultry

-Classical / strings backing track – reflective in design somehow?

-The song reflects the lyrics really well – as if FINALLY love has “come along” – positive, relieving – album artwork should reflect this also without being too obvious.

-Colours: yellows, light blues, summery? Or contrast with typical colour palette for love and romance? (reds, pinks, lens flare)

key lyrics to keep in mind:

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>S731 / JACK GARRATT - WORRY

Secret 7: “Jack is destined for big things in 2016 having already bagged the BRITS Critics Choice. ‘Worry’ is taken from his debut album due in February.”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

Previous album artwork research:

First thoughts when listening to the track:

-Catchy tune

-Heavy base in the hook – bass creates an accent on certain lyrics “let me worry about it” “give yourself some rest” almost to accentuate sarcasm in the message of the song.

-Creative notes: sounds curvey somehow (due to bend in the bass)

KEY LYRICS TO KEEP IN MIND:

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>S732 / THE JAM - ART SCHOOL

Secret 7: “Taken from the band’s 1977 debut album ‘In The City’. Only the title-track was released from that record, we think we're finally giving Art School the release it deserves.”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

Previous album artwork research:

First thoughts when listening to the track:

-Conjures feelings of instant rebellion

-Anarchy – how can I show this without being too obvious?

fun

-Quick Punchy, Energetic – dance – movement thanks to pace and temp of tune

KEY LYRICS TO KEEP IN MIND:


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>S733 / JOHN LENNON - IMAGINE

Secret 7: “Arguably the most iconic track of all time. As Rolling Stone once eloquently put it, “it is now impossible to imagine a world without "Imagine." And we need it, more than he ever dreamed”.”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

Previous album artwork research:

First thoughts when listening to the track:

This has to be the most well known track released as part of this brief which I feel may influence my response a little. It is hard to not be guided by imagery, thoughts and feelings already associated to a song that has had so much impact and a really strong message .

Play on the common and well known nature of the track?

Play on the impact that this song has had since its release and its message of :

Teachings

Recognise and respect the true value of life, humanity and the world

World change

New beginnings

Unity

Peace on earth

Look at time song was released

Hippie connotation that could be transferred / communicated through imagery.

Story and lyrics within song manage to capture audience and ull on heartstrings

Common theme / subject for a song

Key lyrics

“the world will live as one”

KEY LYRICS TO KEEP IN MIND:




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>S734 / MAX RICHTER - DREAM 3

Secret 7: “Taken from an 8 hour album which made Rough Trade’s top 5 albums of 2015 and is believed to be the longest single piece of classical music ever recorded. It’s also our first release with no lyrics!”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

Previous album artwork research:

First thoughts when listening to the track:

Such a contrast to the other tracks and happy to be introduced to some lovely new classical music.

I wouldn’t have expected this to be chosen as one of the 7 tracks for some reason – shows a good variety in choice this year.

I feel like this piece of music tells a heavy (and lengthy) story by the sounds of the comments from secret 7: “Taken from an 8 hour album which made Rough Trade’s top 5 albums of 2015 and is believed to be the longest single piece of classical music ever recorded. It’s also our first release with no lyrics!”

Soft, subtle

full of depth and deeper meaning

each instrument has its place and part to play in the story the tune is telling – each have their own character?

floaty and dreamlike

negative/minor key

without forEground instrument…almost a bit sad?

visual notes:

space

nothingess

thoughtful

atmospheric

beauty

nature

NO LYRICS

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S735 / TAME IMPALA - THE LESS I KNOW THE BETTER

Secret 7: “Tame Impala’s third studio album ‘Currents’ was in the mix for pretty much every publications ‘Top Records of 2015’ and rightly so.”

- See more at: http://secret-7.com/about#discover

Previous album artwork research:

First thoughts when listening to the track:
I feel like my head must have been in the sand for quite a while, because I had never heard of Tame Impala until now – and I love love love.

Upbeat

Sexy seductive

Unique

Quirky (in both sounds, gasps, hook, electronic)

Passionate

Groovy

Electronic

Colourful

Visually dynamic and detailed

Psychedelic?

Another tune with a clear story attached:

Heartache

Young love

Teenage

Seductive

Atmospheric

Echos and repetition of lyrics – show in visuals?

KEY LYRICS TO KEEP IN MIND:

“Don’t make me wait for ever” - repeated

“I was doing fine without you”

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Thoughts following from from this initial research:

I am really inspired by the diversity of tracks provided by Secret 7 this year, so much so that I think I would like to count this as my substantial individual brief. I feel I could approach each of the tracks in many different ways and feel i am indulging in an area of design and illustration practice that really interests me.