In 2020, do you have to release an album or an EP when you start?

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You want to launch your musical career, but you don’t know which format to choose to promote your works? In this guide, we’ll show you the differences between an album and an EP.

What are the differences between an album and an EP?

An album is a collection of an artist’s musical works. It is presented in CD or vinyl format and is composed of eight to twelve tracks, i.e. musical pieces that can be listened to for one hour. An album is called a compilation when an album contains several tracks composed by several authors.

With the evolution of digital, the EP is a term that has made its appearance in the musical universe. The EP is the acronym for “Extended Play” which literally means “extended recording”. More concretely, an EP is a collection of musical works. It lasts 15 minutes and consists of four or six tracks on average.

The EP is an alternative option between a classical album and a single. This format, which is nowadays very popular among budding composers, is a kind of “mini-album”. Its difference lies in its duration and its capacity.

Why choose to release an EP?

To succeed in your ascension in the musical universe, the release of an EP has many advantages.

Contrary to an album, the composition of an EP requires little time. You will only need a few songs (between 3 to 5 tracks on average) to edit an EP.

If you are inspired, this work can be done in a few months only, whereas the production of an album can take you between one to three years. To attract the attention of the listeners, it is even advisable to select your best songs to create an EP.

At the beginning of your career, it must be said that releasing an EP is the most economical option to introduce your musical genre to the listeners. By choosing this “short” format, you can concentrate on recording a few quality songs. After this step, it is possible to present your musical works on specialized online platforms and increase your notoriety there.

In other words, the release of an EP can also be seen as a “real-life test”. This (not very restrictive) approach allows you to make sure that their songs will win the hearts of the fans. In case your musical genre interests a large number of listeners, you can start producing an album.

Be aware that an EP is also a more suitable format to make a name for yourself in the music industry. Containing fewer tracks, it is more likely to be listened to by professionals. In just a few tracks, record companies or potential managers can get an idea of your potential.

Since the appearance of platforms dedicated to streaming, Internet users have changed their consumption habits.

Many of them prefer to enjoy music online before buying an artist’s entire album. An EP is perfect to promote your creations with a controlled production budget.