Glossary / Release

Industry terms

Album

An album is a full-length release: a set of songs put out together as one project, longer than an EP.

Also called: LP, full-length, studio album, debut album

By Aulto · Last reviewed

When is a release an album?

Stores go by track count and running time. On Apple Music, one to three short songs make a single, and up to six songs within 30 minutes make an EP. A release past those limits goes out as an album.

Does an album still make sense in the streaming era?

Yes, when the songs belong together and you have the fans to carry it. An album gives press a story, gives listeners a world to spend time in, and gives you a reason to tour. For a new artist with a small audience, though, ten songs on one day can disappear faster than ten singles spread over a year.

How do artists release albums now?

Usually with two or three singles first, so part of the album already has listeners and playlist spots when it arrives. Keep the same ISRCs for those songs on the album.

Example

A Delhi rock band releases three singles over five months, then a ten-song album with a listening party in Hauz Khas on release night.

Doing it with Aulto

An Aulto pre-save page for the album collects fans before release day, then becomes the album's smart link at the same address when it comes out.

See how it works →

  • Artist Pick

    Artist Pick is the slot at the top of a Spotify artist profile where the artist pins one thing they want listeners to see first, such as a new song, a playlist or a show.

  • Back catalog

    A back catalog is all of an artist's or label's older releases, the songs that are no longer new but keep earning and finding listeners.

  • Content ID

    Content ID is YouTube's system that scans every upload against reference files from copyright owners and puts a claim on any video that matches.

  • Cover art

    Cover art is the square image that represents a release on every streaming service, store and smart link page.

  • Drop

    A drop is a release that goes out at a set moment, like a new song, a merch line or a product, announced ahead so people show up at once.

  • Hook

    A hook is the part of a song, or the first seconds of a video, built to grab attention and make people stay.

Sources

Turn every click and comment into a fan you can reach

Smart links, pre-saves, bio pages and Reply Drop for Instagram, in one place.

Start free trial