Music Marketing

Singles vs. Albums: Why Independent Artists Should Focus on Singles

William Duvall

Apr 13, 2023 — 3 min read

Releasing new music can be overwhelming for independent artists. You have to make crucial decisions, including choosing which songs to record and determining the best approach for release.

One critical decision that requires careful consideration is whether to release a full album/EP or focus on releasing singles. This article will explore why indie artists should consider releasing singles and how it can benefit their music career.

Building Momentum

Releasing singles has a significant advantage of creating buzz around your music and generating momentum. You can generate buzz and excitement by heavily promoting a single on social media, blogs, and other platforms, leading to increased engagement, downloads, and streams.

Building momentum around a single is easier than an entire album, particularly for new and emerging artists.

Cost Effective

Singles are a cost-effective approach for indie artists. Recording an entire album can be expensive, especially when working with professional studios or producers.

Focusing on a single is more manageable financially, and the revenue generated from each release can be reinvested to fund future releases or other aspects of an artist's music career.

Creative Flexibility

Another benefit of singles is the added flexibility it gives an artist.

Albums require a specific set of songs and a particular sequence. By releasing singles, artists can experiment with different styles/sounds and release songs as they finish them instead of waiting to complete an entire album.

This adaptability can help artists stay relevant and in touch with changing trends and preferences in the music industry.

Fan Engagement

Releasing singles can also improve overall fan engagement. When an album is out, some fans may prefer listening to specific tracks and not necessarily the full album.

Singles allow musicians to keep fans engaged more consistently, and they can release new music more frequently. This approach helps create a loyal fan base that is more likely to support the artist long-term.

Exposure

Finally, singles can help increase exposure to the artist's music. Blogs, playlists, and other media outlets showcase singles more often than entire albums, which facilitates introducing the music to a broader audience.

Singles help artists target specific niches and audiences, helping to grow their fan base and increase their reach.

Spotify Secret

If you're an artist seeking to get your music featured on Spotify's Editorial playlists, releasing singles may be the optimal approach.

Spotify thrives on new releases, and having 10 singles can increase your chances of being featured on playlists such as Fresh Finds and New Music Friday.

By using the Spotify for Artists platform, you can directly pitch each single to Spotify's Editorial Team. I recommend doing this at least 28 days before the song's release date.

However, if you plan to release an album, your pitching options will be limited because only one song from the album can be pitched to Spotify's Editorial team, which may decrease your chances of being playlisted.

As a result, some artists focus on releasing singles instead of albums, especially until they have a stronger following and have demonstrated their appeal to Spotify's curators.

In conclusion, focusing on singles allows artists to build momentum, save money, experiment with different sounds, improve fan engagement, and increase exposure to music.

While full albums have benefits, singles provide more flexibility and are a more manageable approach, especially for new and emerging artists.

When navigating the music industry, consider the advantages of releasing singles and how it can help you achieve your goals.