Music Basics
Music labels such as single, EP, album, mix, and compilation carry useful clues, but their boundaries are not always universal. Context matters. Music Basics explains the common meaning first, then flags where artists, eras, formats, and services use the term differently.
Guides
Music Basics
EP vs. Album: What the Labels Usually Mean
An EP, or extended play, is generally a compact multi-track release between a single and a full album. An album is presented as a full-length collection.
Music Basics
Single vs EP vs Album: Reading Release Labels
A single usually centers a featured song, an EP presents a compact collection, and an album is presented as a full-length release.