How many tracks are on an EP?

Apple Music defines an EP as 4–6 tracks totaling no more than 30 minutes, or 1–3 tracks where at least one lasts 10 minutes or more and the total remains within 30 minutes. A release beyond single or EP limits—7 or more tracks, or longer than 30 minutes—is an album.

How is an album different from an EP?

By duration and track count. An EP has up to 6 tracks and lasts up to 30 minutes; beyond that, it’s an album. For listeners, an EP is a compact story or introduction to a new sound, while an album is a larger statement. Both are delivered as one release with one UPC.

Can I include previously released singles on an album?

Yes. Artists often release 1–2 singles before including them alongside new tracks on an album. Use the original ISRC for the same recording so platforms recognize it as the same sound recording.

Which track should I pitch?

BandLink’s pitching form asks for one key track and a description of its idea, mood and inspiration. Usually this is your strongest, most engaging track: the one you want listeners to hear first.

How early should I upload an album?

Yandex Music’s help recommends sending a release to your distributor at least 2 weeks ahead to allow time for pitching. For an album, 3–4 weeks is sensible, leaving room for corrections and promotion.

Does the whole album use one cover?

Yes. A release has one cover. Standard platform requirements include a square image at least 3000×3000 pixels, without service logos, links or unnecessary text. See creator’s cover art guide for details.

How to release an album or EP in 2026: preparation, timing and promotion

At a glance

Under Apple Music’s rules, an EP generally has 4–6 tracks totaling no more than 30 minutes; larger releases are albums
A release has one UPC, while each track has its own ISRC and songwriters. Check everything before review
Yandex Music pitching needs one focus track. Upload in advance, at least 2 weeks before release

An album or EP is more than several singles at once. Platforms have format rules, each track needs its own codes and credits, and promotion follows a different rhythm. Using Apple Music’s official rules and Yandex Music’s help, we explain how to choose a format, sequence the tracks, prepare metadata and give your release a chance to stand out.

The basics

Single, EP or album: where are the boundaries?

The platform classifies your release by track count and duration. Apple Music publishes the most detailed rules, and other services use broadly similar boundaries:

up to 3 tracksSingle1–3 tracks, each shorter than 10 minutes

4–6 tracksEPUp to 30 minutes. Or 1–3 tracks if at least one runs for 10 minutes or more

7 or more tracksAlbumBeyond EP limits: 7 or more tracks, or longer than 30 minutes

Apple Music Style Guide: definitions of a single and EP — Apple Music Style Guide: the platform adds “- Single” and “- EP” automatically

Apple automatically adds “- Single” or “- EP” to a title. Adding “Album” or the release year yourself is an error under its style rules.

Strategy

Release the album at once, or start with singles?

A large release without an audience build-up can disappear into the crowd: listeners have little reason to press play on ten unfamiliar tracks. That’s why artists increasingly release in stages.

popularSingles before the album1–2 singles over several weeks build interest and bring an audience to your album

Keep the ISRCUse the original ISRC for the same previously released recording so platforms can match it

less risk

An EP to test the watersA compact EP tests a new sound without a full album’s budget or timeline

more promotion

An album as an eventA substantial statement that can give media and platforms a clearer reason to pay attention

Every single before the album is another opportunity to reach recommendations. Our My Vibe and Nitro guide explains how this works on Yandex Music, a major Russian streaming service.

Tracklist

Track order and your focus track

Track order shapes the listening experience. The first tracks help determine whether someone stays, so don’t bury your strongest material at the end. Yandex Music pitching asks you to choose one key track and describe its idea and mood: that is your focus track.

Night Drive — EPNova · 6 tracks · 24:10

Intro · NeonISRC ···011:12
Night DriveISRC ···023:05
The city never sleepsISRC ···033:48
Signals (feat. Lumen)ISRC ···044:21
Empty streetsISRC ···055:02
DawnISRC ···066:42

24:10 of 30:00EP threshold · 30 minutes

A strong openingA short intro is fine, but put the focus track in the first three

Features belong in artist fieldsCredit contributors in metadata, not only in title parentheses

Duration fits the formatThe 30-minute scale helps distinguish an EP from an album

Metadata

What to prepare before uploading

On an album, metadata errors multiply by the number of tracks. Prepare everything in advance, separately for the release and each recording:

CodesOne UPC for the whole release and one ISRC for each recording

Songwriters for each trackEvery track has its own songwriters, artists and contributors

One coverSquare, at least 3000×3000, without links, logos or unnecessary text

Labels and lyricsExplicit marking, language, genre and full lyrics for every vocal track

See the details for UPC, ISRC, cover art and our full release preparation checklist.

Timing

An album release calendar

An album needs more time than a single: more tracks mean more chances of a correction. Use this guide from finished masters through the first week after release:

4–6 weeks beforeMasters and cover artAll tracks mixed and mastered, cover art ready

3–4 weeks beforeUploadRelease with the distributor, leaving time for corrections

+72 hoursPitchingYour key track and artist story in BandLink

1 week beforeBuild interestPre-save, snippets and a track list announcement

FridayReleaseThe first weekend counts toward Superlaunch

3 daysSuperlaunch counts new-release streams on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

MondaySuperlaunch updates with the weekend’s leading new releases

28 daysBandLink shows the new release’s streaming trends after publication

Common mistakes

Mistakes that lead to changes being requested

Most returns concern presentation rather than music. Many of these rules are explicit in Apple Music’s style guide:

Title

“Album” or a year in the title

The platform displays format and date itself

Numbering

Track numbers in titles

“12. Track” is an error; the track list sets the order

Artist

Artist name in the title

Put the name in the artist field, not after a hyphen

Featured artists

Inconsistent guest names

Use the same spelling for the same guest on every track

Codes

A new ISRC for an existing single

Same recording, same ISRC

Loudness

Tracks sound inconsistent

Master the album as a whole in one session

For loudness and final processing, see our mastering guide.

For creator artists

If you release through creator

Format selected automaticallyThe dashboard determines a type from track count; each platform applies its own final classification

Credits for every trackEach track has its own songwriters, contributors and metadata

Review before deliveryCheck track order and titles before review; the platform determines publication timing

Your release plan at a glance

1Choose a format: single, EP or album

2Release 1–2 singles to build interest

3Sequence your tracks and select a focus track

4Prepare codes, credits, lyrics and cover art

5Upload 3–4 weeks ahead and submit your pitch

6Release on Friday and promote through the first weekend