Why you should make an EP your next release

What are they?
An EP (extended play) is the middle ground between singles and albums. They are mini-albums, although their name even though the name “extended” is rather misleading and implies otherwise.

Both Spotify and Apple Music recognise EPs and have individual requirements for them.

When your release meets the requirements of an EP, Apple will automatically add -EP to the end of your title. Apple Music requires the following criteria to be met for EPs:

The release has a total of one to three tracks, one or more of which is 10 minutes or longer, and the entire release is less than 30 minutes, or;
The release has a total of four to six tracks and the entire release is less than 30 minutes.

Spotify will not edit the title of your release or make any addition. If you release an EP on Spotify, they will list it in EPs instead of Albums. For Spotify, your release needs to meet the following criteria:

The realise is under 30 minutes, and;
The release has 4-6 tracks.

What should you use an EP for?
While singles are a great way to release a single song, at some point you’ll be looking to take the next step. Releasing an EP is a great way to do this. It is a lot less time consuming than a standard LP album, and probably a whole lot more cost effective too.

The simple format boasts a lot of flexibility that artists can employ and build a great deal of momentum for their music.

In the age of streaming, cherry-picking music and playlisting your favourites, full LP albums aren’t always the best solution. Now, more than ever before, EPs have the grounding to be a integral part of your content strategy.

EPs are a great “first album” release. One of the many great things about EPs is there is no pressure to write more songs. An EP of five songs lands perfectly, so you don’t need to push yourself into writing another five just to get an album out there.

It makes the perfect creative outlet. With their flexibility, you are free to experiment with your EP in whichever way you like. If you’ve got some songs that didn’t make the cut of your album or maybe some remixes of other artist tracks, an EP could be the perfect place. More than that, your fans will love it too!

Of course, they are also highly popular stopgaps. Especially if you haven’t got the time to create a new album and you have a few pre-recorded songs in the bank, this is a great way to keep your fans happy! It’s a short release that keeps your audience engaged in your content, while you find time to create some more.

With Identity Music you can get your music all over the globe in order to gain the maximum exposure. By using our distribution and music promotion services, you’ll be able to take control while watching your music reach new heights.

If you can’t decide when to release you next track, try checking out this article for some top tips!