How to release an EP or album: single vs EP vs album, track order and pitching

Most streams come from songs people already know. Put out two or three singles three to six weeks apart, then release the EP or album with those singles on it. Use the same recordings and the same ISRCs: the stores then attach the singles' play counts to the project's tracks, and usually their playlist places, instead of starting again.

Each single needs its own release with its own cover. The EP or album is one more release, with its own UPC, cover and title.

• Open with a song that hooks in the first ten seconds; many listeners never pass track one.
• Put your strongest new song in the first three tracks.
• Keep the titles clean, without track numbers or Intro, Outro words unless that is the real title.
• Use one primary artist across the project, and add features on each track rather than in titles.
• Set the caller tune start on every track; each song can be its own caller tune.
• Check the total length and song count match the type you choose.

In Spotify for Artists you can pitch one unreleased song from a release. SUF pitches releases to the editors at Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music and YouTube Music, and can pitch an EP or album as a whole rather than one song, from the Pro plan up. Lock the release at least 14 days before release day. See playlist pitching.

Create the release, choose Single, EP or Album, and add every song with its own ISRC (use the existing one for songs already out as singles). The release takes one release date, one UPC and one cover; each song keeps its own credits, language and caller tune start. A single, an EP and an album each count as one release on your plan, whatever the number of songs.