Album

An album is a group of audio recordings presented and issued as one release. An album can be distributed physically, digitally, or through streaming services and can contain music, spoken word, field recordings, comedy, drama, or other recorded sound.

Albums commonly have a title, credited artist or artists, track sequence, release date, cover artwork, production credits, and identifying metadata.

There is no single worldwide rule establishing the exact number of tracks or running time required for every release to be called an album. Award organizations, chart operators, streaming services, copyright systems, labels, and music databases can use different operational definitions.

Definition

MusicBrainz treats an album as a primary release-group type and describes it generally as a long-play release, usually consisting of previously unreleased material unless combined with a secondary classification such as compilation, live, remix, or soundtrack.

The Recording Academy uses an eligibility definition for Grammy purposes. Its guidance states that an album must generally contain at least five different tracks totaling at least 15 minutes or have a total playing time of at least 30 minutes without a minimum track requirement.

That definition applies to Grammy eligibility and should not be treated as a universal legal or commercial definition.

Album, EP, and single

Albums are commonly distinguished from singles and extended plays.

A single centers on one principal recording, although it can include alternate versions, remixes, instrumental versions, or additional tracks.

An EP is generally longer than a single but shorter than a full album. The boundary varies by service and organization.

An album is usually treated as a longer or more substantial release, but releases with few long tracks can still qualify as albums under some systems.

MusicBrainz lists album, single, EP, broadcast, and other as primary release types and permits additional classifications such as compilation, live, soundtrack, remix, spoken word, and mixtape.

Track list

An album track list records the order of the included recordings.

Track metadata can include:

• track number;
• title;
• performer;
• songwriter;
• producer;
• featured artist;
• duration;
• version or mix;
• disc number;
• International Standard Recording Code;
• explicit-content designation.

The U.S. Copyright Office requires album-registration applicants to identify the album title, the separate titles of the sound recordings, and the track numbers assigned to those recordings.

Track order can influence the pacing and interpretation of an album even when listeners are free to shuffle or select individual tracks.

Physical formats

Albums have been distributed through formats including:

• shellac discs;
• vinyl records;
• reel-to-reel tape;
• eight-track cartridges;
• compact cassettes;
• compact discs;
• MiniDisc;
• flash-memory products;
• other physical media.

The term LP, meaning long-playing record, originally referred to a vinyl format but is also used informally as a synonym for a full-length album.

A physical edition can include:

• one or more discs;
• printed sleeves;
• liner notes;
• lyric sheets;
• posters;
• photographs;
• booklets;
• bonus items;
• special packaging.

Different physical editions of the same album can contain different tracks or artwork.

Digital albums

A digital album is distributed as downloadable or streamed audio files rather than solely as a physical object.

Digital releases can include:

• downloadable files;
• streaming access;
• digital booklets;
• animated cover art;
• music videos;
• interactive materials;
• bonus recordings.

A digital album can coexist with vinyl, cassette, or CD editions.

MusicBrainz distinguishes an abstract release group from individual releases, allowing separate editions on different storefronts or formats to remain connected as versions of the same album.

Types of albums

Studio album

A studio album primarily contains recordings created through studio or studio-like production sessions.

Studio albums can also contain live elements, remote recordings, samples, or recordings made outside conventional commercial studios.

Live album

A live album contains recordings captured during concerts, performances, broadcasts, rehearsals, or similar events.

Post-production can include editing, mixing, mastering, and in some cases overdubbing.

Compilation album

A compilation album collects recordings previously issued or obtained from multiple sources.

Examples include:

• greatest-hits collections;
• label compilations;
• genre anthologies;
• soundtrack compilations;
• artist retrospectives;
• themed collections.

A compilation can also include previously unreleased tracks.

Soundtrack album

A soundtrack album is associated with a film, television program, game, stage production, or other visual or dramatic work.

It can contain:

• original score;
• songs used in the production;
• cast recordings;
• dialogue;
• source music;
• a mixture of score and songs.

A soundtrack release does not necessarily contain every recording heard in the production.

Concept album

A concept album is organized around a unifying story, theme, character, idea, setting, or musical design.

The degree of narrative or conceptual unity varies widely.

Remix album

A remix album presents altered versions of recordings through new mixing, production, editing, instrumentation, or reconstruction.

Tribute album

A tribute album contains performances honoring an artist, composer, group, work, scene, or musical tradition.

Cast album

A cast album documents songs or performances from a stage musical or related theatrical production.

Spoken-word album

A spoken-word album can contain:

• poetry;
• speeches;
• storytelling;
• comedy;
• interviews;
• lectures;
• dramatic readings;
• audiobooks or excerpts.

An album does not have to consist exclusively of songs.

Musical works and sound recordings

An album can embody multiple kinds of copyright-protected material.

The U.S. Copyright Office explains that a musical composition and a sound recording are separate works. The musical composition consists of music and any accompanying lyrics, while the sound recording captures a particular performance or production.

An album can also include separately protected:

• cover artwork;
• photography;
• liner notes;
• graphic design;
• video;
• typography;
• written commentary.

Ownership of one component does not automatically establish ownership of every component.

Copyright registration

The U.S. Copyright Office provides group-registration procedures for sound recordings published on the same album.

Its album sound-recording procedure generally permits registration of between two and twenty sound recordings published on the same album, subject to its eligibility requirements.

The Copyright Office also states that musical works and sound recordings generally must be registered separately through the appropriate procedures.

Copyright-registration requirements should not be confused with the commercial definition of an album.

Artists and credits

An album can be credited to:

• a solo artist;
• a band;
• an orchestra;
• a choir;
• a duo;
• a collective;
• multiple principal artists;
• various artists;
• a fictional or virtual artist;
• a cast.

Credits can identify:

• performers;
• songwriters;
• composers;
• arrangers;
• producers;
• recording engineers;
• mixing engineers;
• mastering engineers;
• executive producers;
• session musicians;
• art directors;
• photographers;
• designers;
• record labels.

The Copyright Office explains that sound recordings are generally created through performance and production contributions, including performing, recording, mixing, manipulating, mastering, compiling, or editing sounds.

Album title and artwork

An album title identifies the release and can be shared by more than one artist or work.

A self-titled or eponymous album uses the name of the artist or group as its title.

Album artwork can appear on:

• physical packaging;
• digital storefronts;
• streaming services;
• promotional materials;
• charts;
• artist profiles.

Different editions can use alternate artwork.

Cover art, photography, liner notes, and graphic design can be separately protected from the sound recordings.

Release date

An album's release date can vary by:

• country;
• format;
• label;
• retailer;
• streaming platform;
• reissue;
• promotional schedule.

A vinyl release can occur on a different date from a digital or CD release.

Catalogs should distinguish the original release date from later reissue dates.

MusicBrainz groups variations of the same general release while retaining separate release records for individual editions or formats.

Reissues and remasters

A reissue is a later edition of an existing album.

A reissue can add:

• bonus tracks;
• demos;
• live recordings;
• alternate mixes;
• remixes;
• unreleased material;
• new artwork;
• expanded liner notes;
• additional discs.

A remaster uses a newly prepared master derived from existing recordings.

A remaster is not necessarily a remix. A remix changes the balance or treatment of individual recorded elements, while remastering generally works from an existing completed mix.

Deluxe and expanded editions

A deluxe or expanded edition usually contains more material than the standard release.

Possible additions include:

• bonus tracks;
• collaborations;
• acoustic versions;
• remixes;
• videos;
• commentary;
• alternate artwork;
• physical merchandise.

There is no universal threshold determining when an edition qualifies as deluxe.

Catalogs should describe the actual differences between editions.

Album certification

The Recording Industry Association of America administers Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond certifications in the United States.

Its current album certification calculation can combine complete-album sales, track sales, and qualifying on-demand streams. The RIAA states that 1,500 qualifying on-demand streams or ten track sales are treated as one album unit for certification purposes.

Certification systems differ by country and can change over time.

Certification is not the same as total worldwide sales, chart position, critical reception, or profitability.

Albums in the streaming era

Streaming has changed how albums are released, measured, and consumed.

Listeners can:

• play an album in sequence;
• shuffle tracks;
• save individual songs;
• add tracks to playlists;
• stream deluxe editions;
• access international editions;
• receive later additions to an existing release.

IFPI reports recorded-music activity across streaming, downloads, and physical formats when describing the global music market.

Streaming data has also been incorporated into many chart and certification systems.

Album charts

Album charts rank releases using methodologies that can include:

• physical sales;
• digital sales;
• track-equivalent units;
• streaming-equivalent units;
• geographic eligibility;
• reporting periods;
• retailer or platform participation.

Different charts can produce different rankings because their methodologies differ.

A chart unit is a measurement created for the chart and is not necessarily identical to one complete album purchase.

Preservation and historical importance

Albums can document:

• musical movements;
• technological changes;
• social history;
• language;
• regional culture;
• performance practice;
• political movements;
• production techniques.

The Library of Congress National Recording Registry preserves recordings considered culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. Its registry includes albums, singles, speeches, broadcasts, field recordings, and other recorded works.

The Library of Congress holds sound recordings across nearly every recording medium and genre.

Albums in the Roovet network

Roovet music pages document albums, singles, songs, artists, labels, genres, and discographies.

Related entries include:

• Red Rose (album);
• DJ J.O discography;
• Melz Cali discography;
• Tribal Young Brown discography;
• Tribal Young Brown single discography;
• Record label;
• Record producer;
• Songwriter;
• Music genre;
• Roovet Records;
• Roovet Sound.

Album pages should clearly identify the artist, release date, record label, track list, formats, credits, editions, and reliable supporting sources.

See also

• Music genre
• Single (music)
• Record label
• Record producer
• Songwriter
• Contemporary R&B
• Hip hop music
• Roovet Records