An album is a collection of songs no matter how it is released, digitally or physically. Most albums are released by a record company, with record company owning the master recording.
Options:
EP (extended play) – is up to 3-7 songs and under 30 minutes
- saves production costs except for physical media
- often used for experiments
- often used to introduce a new artist
- takes less time
LP (long play) – more than 7 songs, 74 mins. on a CD
- generally considered a body of work
- are considered substantial releases
- considered a major investment
- typically an artist releases a LP album every 2-3 years
Plan on a minimum 2 week lead time for each release
- bandcamp – 4 month advance
- spotify – 3-4 weeks
- there’s often a backlog at pressing plants
- release day industry wide is Friday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtU653Mgz7k
How to Release an Album in 2023
ProgRock.com Essentials – Record Label Interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J7cg6a3tP8
Provide a download code in physical media to get digital copies.
Offer 16 and 24 bit downloads as an option, up charge $2 for 24 bit.
bandcamp allows this up charge for higher bit?