Hotspot era design

[Harry]

One of my favourite parts of a new PSB ‘era’ starting is the design aspect of it. As Petheads, we’re incredibly lucky (or maybe we just have great taste!). Neil and Chris’s collaboration with Farrow has produced some beautiful work.

The Super era was very, very strong in terms of design in my opinion. It really fitted the music, and Farrow’s ‘circles’ theme was hugely effective across all the releases and the tour, merchandise etc. So much colour!

So, Hotspot. Personally I really like the autumnal look of the album and ‘Burning the heather’. The photographic inner sleeves are gorgeous. ‘Dreamland’ stands out a bit more, but keeps the new house style in the treatment of text. The album cover is very them. I love a blurred photo...

What are everyone’s thoughts?

[Dog]

I like the sleeve. I like the idea of them using their own photographs (is this the first time since the inner sleeve of Bilingual?), and the shots on the inner sleeve and the Heather sleeve look cool. Dreamland doesn’t really tie in though, which I guess was purposeful, or that they needed something before the rest of the campaign was in place. And I’m not sure either that the artwork particularly ties in with the title, which is crying out for a graphical treatment in the spirit of the first two parts of the trilogy. But equally I am glad they aren’t repeating themselves and it is hard to comment fully without hearing the music.

[goughsjd]

I like the sleeve. I like the idea of them using their own photographs (is this the first time since the inner sleeve of Bilingual?), and the shots on the inner sleeve and the Heather sleeve look cool. Dreamland doesn’t really tie in though, which I guess was purposeful, or that they needed something before the rest of the campaign was in place. And I’m not sure either that the artwork particularly ties in with the title, which is crying out for a graphical treatment in the spirit of the first two parts of the trilogy. But equally I am glad they aren’t repeating themselves and it is hard to comment fully without hearing the music.

Have they said that they are using their own photos? I've never heard this before!!

[leesmapman]

I like the sleeve. I like the idea of them using their own photographs (is this the first time since the inner sleeve of Bilingual?), and the shots on the inner sleeve and the Heather sleeve look cool. Dreamland doesn’t really tie in though, which I guess was purposeful, or that they needed something before the rest of the campaign was in place. And I’m not sure either that the artwork particularly ties in with the title, which is crying out for a graphical treatment in the spirit of the first two parts of the trilogy. But equally I am glad they aren’t repeating themselves and it is hard to comment fully without hearing the music.

Have they said that they are using their own photos? I've never heard this before!!

The sleeve note of the Burning the Heather single states as much. Says nothing about the Hotspot sleeve though

Sent from my SM-J410F using Tapatalk

[goughsjd]

I like the sleeve. I like the idea of them using their own photographs (is this the first time since the inner sleeve of Bilingual?), and the shots on the inner sleeve and the Heather sleeve look cool. Dreamland doesn’t really tie in though, which I guess was purposeful, or that they needed something before the rest of the campaign was in place. And I’m not sure either that the artwork particularly ties in with the title, which is crying out for a graphical treatment in the spirit of the first two parts of the trilogy. But equally I am glad they aren’t repeating themselves and it is hard to comment fully without hearing the music.

Have they said that they are using their own photos? I've never heard this before!!

The sleeve note of the Burning the Heather single states as much. Says nothing about the Hotspot sleeve though

Sent from my SM-J410F using Tapatalk

Oh right cool. Cheers for that

[Harry]

I’m not sure either that the artwork particularly ties in with the title, which is crying out for a graphical treatment in the spirit of the first two parts of the trilogy. But equally I am glad they aren’t repeating themselves

I too was expecting a simple graphic cover with lots of white space, if only to tie in with Electric and Super. But, as Effen has been suggesting in his early review of Hotspot, they’re not repeating themselves and that is a very good thing.

I remember, about the time when they announced Dreamworld, and when they were on the radio promoting Hyde Park, they said they were having trouble naming the album. I think the cover was designed before the album got its name, which I’m guessing they decided at the last possible moment. The name, like the artwork and (it sounds like) the album itself is not what we were expecting. Again, a good thing.

[daveid]

Doesn't feel like we're in the same era as the previous two. I was - naively - expecting some kind of simple Bridget Riley type design but they've rung the changes - good for them.

[Patrick Bateman]

So, Hotspot. Personally I really like the autumnal look of the album and ‘Burning the heather’. The photographic inner sleeves are gorgeous. ‘Dreamland’ stands out a bit more, but keeps the new house style in the treatment of text. The album cover is very them. I love a blurred photo...

Where can you see the inner sleeves?

The blurred photo is obviously very Nightlife.

[Dog]

So, Hotspot. Personally I really like the autumnal look of the album and ‘Burning the heather’. The photographic inner sleeves are gorgeous. ‘Dreamland’ stands out a bit more, but keeps the new house style in the treatment of text. The album cover is very them. I love a blurred photo...

Where can you see the inner sleeves?

The blurred photo is obviously very Nightlife.

https://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petsh ... 8X00000000

[Patrick Bateman]

Thanks. I wonder if it's a Berlin park. Such a change from Super - I assume it reflects the overall mood as their album sleeves generally do that in some way, or at least one's impressions of the album are so strongly associated with the aesthetic, that it seems that they do. Introspective, for instance. I've always associated it with the vivid colour of both the cover and the sleeve, so it's almost like experiencing synesthesia when listening to it.

[leesmapman]

https://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petsh ... 8X00000000

I just noticed the location of the hole. Probably looks good when you put it on a record player.

[Effen Vida]

https://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petsh ... 8X00000000

I just noticed the location of the hole. Probably looks good when you put it on a record player.

Haha! Good spot.

[daveid]

https://www.petshopboysshop.co.uk/petsh ... 8X00000000

I just noticed the location of the hole. Probably looks good when you put it on a record player.

Haha! Good spot.

OK - so we know where the hotspot is anatomically. Is it Chris or Neil? Who has the biggest spindle??

[Nicholas]

Pre-ordered the deluxe CD today. The signed print looks great but the yellow text on the special edition CD sleeve does look sort of terrible compared to the lovely white version.

[Future Lover]

Pre-ordered the deluxe CD today. The signed print looks great but the yellow text on the special edition CD sleeve does look sort of terrible compared to the lovely white version.

Hoping for a slightly golden effect.