An album release is a crucial milestone for artists. It is the most complete form of artistic expression in music, and is thus the work thought to be the most reflective of an artist’s sound, personal life, and worldview. So how long is an album?
In this article, we will explore the factors determining an album’s length and why its number of songs and length of duration always fall around 10-18 tracks and roughly 30 to 80 minutes, respectively. We’ll also look at the historical context of album lengths and examine how streaming services have altered their traditional boundaries.
Key Takeaways
- A full-length album typically has 10 to 18 tracks and lasts between 30 to 80 minutes, while EPs are shorter, with 4 to 6 tracks running about 12 to 20 minutes.
- Streaming has transformed album lengths into shorter projects and more singles as artists adapt to audiences who prefer convenience and frequent engagement.
- The ideal album length varies by audience: casual listeners prefer shorter albums, while die-hard fans appreciate longer, more in-depth projects.
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1. Defining an Album’s Average Length
A full-length album is often understood as more than just a compilation of various songs. It usually features between 10 and 18 tracks with a total running time of about 30 to 80 minutes, provided it comprises of at least six songs that are minimum 5 minutes long. The average song length is decreasing, however, and has gone from 4 minutes to 3 minutes since 1990.
EPs (Extended Play), are much shorter than albums, and serve a different purpose. EPs typically consist of no more than 4 songs, and are a sneak peek into an artist’s work. An artist will often release an EP as their first official project to make a statement without having to commit to a long form project such as a first album just yet. This can be because they are still figuring out their sound, are independent and funding everything themselves, or are just starting out in music and want to give their newfound audience something to hold onto while they work on future projects. EPs clock in at approximately 12 to 20 minutes but may stretch up to half an hour. Releasing music in stages, such as through EPs, can keep fans engaged by maintaining momentum and anticipation among listeners.
| Read also: What is the best way to independently promote a music album?
2. Historical Evolution of Album Lengths
The transformation of album lengths began with the advent of the long play (LP) record in 1948. This pivotal development increased how much music could be accommodated on a single disc (due to its greater surface area), enabling artists to include a greater number of songs on their releases. The LP quickly established itself as the predominant album format and influenced both production practices and listening habits related to albums.
By the 1960s, new formats like compact cassettes and 8-track tapes began to push album durations even further. Compact cassettes enhanced playtimes while also offering mobility (thanks to its small size) leading to portable music players’ popularity surge. Concurrently, 8-track tapes provided another mode for playing collections of tracks in cars, creating access to music while driving for the first time.
With its arrival in 1982, the compact disc (CD) revolutionized album creation once again, offering superior sound quality coupled with handiness. CDs facilitated musicians’ experimentation with longer track lists, as the information on the discs no longer depended on the physical medium – it was now digitized. Advancements continued shaping what was possible for album lengths, effectively paving the way for streaming.
3. The Impact of Streaming on Album Length
The advent of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music has transformed the music industry entirely. With streaming now dominating album sales, the popularity of full-length albums is decreasing, prompting artists to change their strategies. Short albums and frequent releases have become common as artists seek to maintain audience interest in a fast-moving content era, and singles are all the rage.
In case you didn’t know, royalty payouts depend on song length and increase when a song runs for at least 5 minutes. This is why you’ll sometimes see artists releasing “shorter” projects, when really, the songs are fewer in number but longer in runtime. This shift has led to a phenomenon where short albums or EPs are often used as a monetization strategy, allowing artists to release content more frequently while keeping their audience’s attention and earning more income.
| Read also: EP vs Album, What’s Best For You? Complete Guide
4. Other Factors Influencing Album Length
The intention behind the artist’s creative expression and storytelling, established genre norms, and commercial considerations all contribute to determining the length of albums. You do not have to make a long album to tell a story: Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” is a meticulous and poignant outline of her experience dealing with infidelity, and is only 13 tracks (49 minutes) long.
Pop and Punk albums are often shorter than Jazz and Ambient albums, each a fantastic way of appealing to their specific audiences.
Song length is sometimes catered to radio, which prefers shorter songs they can play throughout the day without boring their listeners.
The physical format of albums, such as vinyl records and CDs, has historically influenced album lengths, but we have now entered an age of limitlessness in output and accessibility. As we now value streaming numbers and royalties over physical purchases, album lengths have decreased in order to accommodate for impatient audiences and shorter attention spans.
5. Case Studies of Successful Albums
Examining successful albums provides valuable insight into the effective use of album length. Let’s look at some of the greatest albums of the last few decades (according to Rolling Stone) to see how they were structured.
Adele’s “21”
Number of songs: 11
Runtime: 48 minutes
The Beatles’ “Abbey Road”
Number of songs: 17
Runtime: 47 minutes
Arcade Fire’s “Funeral”
Number of songs: 10
Runtime: 48 minutes
Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint”
Number of songs: 15
Runtime: 1 hour 3 mins
Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run”
Number of songs: 8
Runtime: 39 minutes
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”
Number of songs: 9
Runtime: 42 minutes
Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”
Number of songs: 16
Runtime: 1 hour 17 mins
Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly”
Number of songs: 16
Runtime: 1 hour 18 mins
| Read also: What are some unusual recording techniques on iconic songs or albums?
6. Tips for Determining Your Album Length
When deciding on the length of a release, many artists weigh their creative ambitions against what their listeners tend to favor. By striking a harmony between artistic expression and listener anticipation, you can settle on an album size that serves both objectives.
Look into how long the average album is in your genre. Then consider what story you’re trying to tell with your project. Is it one that follows a timeline? Or is it about one event or feeling? Try to have each song represent its own section of the story and only include songs that provide a different angle from the last. In completing your song selection, you will have a rough idea of how long your album will be. Compare that to your genre’s average length, and you’ll be able to make an informed decision!
| Read also: What are, as a beginner, ways to promote a music album?
Summary
To summarize, the perfect length for an album is determined by numerous variables such as the creator’s artistic intent, genre norms, and consumer tastes. Grasping these aspects can assist artists in crafting albums that not only connect with their audience but also attain financial triumph.
Leverage the adaptability and inventive possibilities afforded by current technology to figure out what appeals equally to your sensibilities as an artist and those of your listeners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many songs should a full-length album have?
A full-length album usually has between 10 and 18 tracks, hitting that sweet spot between quality and quantity.
What is the difference between an album and an EP?
An EP consists of about 4 tracks and are 12 to 20 minutes in length. Albums are usually about 10 to 18 songs in length and have a runtime of roughly 30 to 80 minutes.
How has streaming affected album lengths?
Artists are compelled to release music more frequently due to streaming, which has notably shortened album lengths in order to maintain fan engagement and accommodate for shorter attention spans.
Why do different genres have different album lengths?
Different genres have different album lengths because they cater to varying listener expectations; punk rock often goes for brevity, while jazz and classical lean toward more extended compositions.
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