Release Type Definitions
Digital streaming platforms and music industry standards define release types by track count and total duration. Choosing the correct type matters because some platforms display singles and albums differently in search results and artist profiles.
Single
- 1–3 tracks
- Total runtime typically under 30 minutes
- At least one track must be the main release track
- A single can include clean/explicit versions or an instrumental of the same song
EP (Extended Play)
- 4–6 tracks
- Total runtime typically under 30 minutes
- Treated as an EP by most DSPs including Spotify and Apple Music
Album
- 7 or more tracks, OR total runtime over 30 minutes
- Displayed as an album in artist discographies
- Eligible for additional editorial consideration on major DSPs
Why Does It Matter?
Using the wrong release type will not always cause rejection, but it affects:
- How your release is categorised on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms
- Playlist eligibility — editorial playlists often distinguish between singles and albums
- UPC assignment — each release type gets its own UPC barcode
What About Waterfall Releases?
A waterfall release (also called a rollout release) is a strategy where you release an album track by track as singles over several weeks, then release the full album. With InterSpace, you would:
- Distribute each lead single individually first
- When distributing the full album, use the same ISRC codes for tracks already released as singles — this merges streams into the album version
Contact our support team if you need help coordinating a waterfall release strategy.
Music Videos
Music video distribution is a separate submission from the audio release. See How to Distribute a Music Video for details.