How many songs are considered an album?
How many songs are usually in an album, and do people still stream them? Let’s break down the different music release types and how many tracks to include in your mix.
Once you’ve got an exciting collection of songs done and dusted, you’ll start to think about how to release them. But do you have enough tracks for an album – or even too many?
The length of an album changes depending on which music distributor you use and where you choose to upload your songs. On average, an album will have between nine and 12 tracks, but can be shorter or longer.
When you release your music with RouteNote, whether you choose our Free or Premium distribution, an album is defined as between 7 to 18 tracks. A single is one track; an EP is 2 to 6 tracks.
Are people still streaming albums?
In recent years there’s been a lot of chat about the so-called “end of the album.” With streaming services giving us the option of endless skips and permanent shuffled songs, perhaps our attention spans are too short to sit down, start an album, and simply let it play.
Streaming may have changed the way we consume albums, but at the end of 2021 Adele threw a curveball to “the album is dead” naysayers. As well as releasing her first album in six years, the superstar subsequently made sure that her work, and that of other artists, could be listened to as intended when recorded, by asking Spotify to turn off default shuffle on albums on the platform.
Can you imagine anyone saying no to Adele? Spotify dutifully obliged, and albums now play from top to bottom. That creates a similar experience to listening to an album on vinyl – a medium which continues to grow in popularity, the ritual of putting on a record appreciated once more.
And there’s still hype surrounding album releases, even when an artist is releasing great singles. Take Wet Leg for example. The British indie pop duo initially released two catchy singles and an EP, and critics and fans couldn’t wait for the debut album, released in April 2022. The collection of songs further revealed the sound and personality of a young band who have appeared out of nowhere to top countless “best of 2021” and “ones to watch in 2022″ music lists.
Extended play vs album
Increasingly, artists are releasing “deluxe” versions of albums months after the original release, with extra tracks, remixes or alternative recordings of popular songs, giving the original recording increased longevity. These are often double albums, which are too long to fit on just one CD or vinyl.
Taylor Swift’s re-recordings of her albums with extra tracks create hype with each new release. Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia: Moonlight Edition, a 19-track reissue of her 2020 album Future Nostalgia that added B-sides, prolonged the already massively successful release.
At RouteNote if your album is over 19 tracks it is considered an Extended Album. If you’re distributing your music for free through us, any and all release types are free.
You keep 85% of all revenue from streams, and there’s no extra fees or contracts locking you in. Meanwhile if you’re distributing through RouteNote Premium, you keep 100% of revenue, for an annual payment of $9.99 and the following different prices for different releases:
- Single: (1 track) – $10
- EP: (2-6 tracks) – $20
- Album: (7-18 tracks) – $30
- Extended Album: (19+ tracks) – $45
How to decide between releasing singles, EPs, and albums
When artists are weighing their options between releasing singles, EPs, or full albums, several crucial factors need to be considered. Initially, artists should understand the distinct strategies required for each type of release.
Singles often serve as a preliminary step, allowing musicians to gauge listener reactions and build a dedicated fan base slowly. An EP, typically containing a few more tracks than a single, can further solidify an artist’s presence and provide fans with a deeper glimpse into their musical style and capabilities.
Singles play a crucial role in determining which tracks make it onto an EP by providing artists with valuable feedback on which songs are resonating most effectively with their audience. By analysing the popularity and reception of various singles, artists can select 4 to 6 of the best-performing tracks for their EP. This strategy enhances the likelihood of the EP’s success, as it includes songs that are already proven favourites among fans.
Releasing a full album involves a more substantial commitment of time, effort, and resources. It requires a comprehensive release plan which differs significantly from that of singles or EPs.
Albums can offer a fully realized artistic vision but are generally more successful once an artist has established a following through previously released singles and EPs. These preliminary releases help predict fan preferences and determine the likely reception of a larger body of work.
Before deciding to release an album, it’s crucial to regard it as a milestone in your career, attracting attention from fans, critics, and other artists. Ensure that the album represents your highest quality work, reflecting the same care and detail as your EPs. Take adequate time in the production and creative process to guarantee that the album authentically showcases your musical abilities and artistic vision.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer; the decision will vary based on the individual artist’s goals, resources, and the maturity of their fan base.
Hence, considering a phased approach—starting with singles, moving on to EPs, and culminating in an album—might be a prudent strategy for many artists. This strategy allows for building momentum and understanding audience expectations, making the investment into an album more justifiable and likely to succeed.
How artists can leverage short-form content to attract listeners to longer-form content like albums
Artists can effectively entice audiences towards their more extensive works, such as albums, by initially engaging them with shorter, compelling pieces of content. The strategy involves building trust and interest through the frequent release of high-quality, concise content that piques curiosity and establishes a consistent connection.
This method helps earn the audience’s attention and encourages them to invest more time in exploring the artist’s longer projects.
Spotify have begun experimenting with shorts. Spotify Clips are 30 second short previews that listeners can explore to get a taste for artists before diving in head-first if they like it.
Other platforms where you can engage with short content:
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