Why are EPs more prevalent than albums?

With unprecedented access to free-to-use technology, cheap and easy ways to learn how to make music, and platforms to release your projects on the Internet, music has never been easier or more accessible to create. It’s no secret that many have tried and succeeded in independently releasing music with varying degrees of success. In an era where almost anyone can try their hand at creating music and put it out to the world, what does this mean for traditional music packages like the album and the EP, and how has it led to the rise in popularity of EPs?

Most people today consume music through the Internet, whether that be streaming platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music, video platforms like YouTube, or the increasing popularity of short form music seen on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Physical media has made a comeback in recent years, but according to the World Economic Forum streaming is king, accounting for about 75% of the music industry’s total revenue.

But throughout history, the package which music is created and distributed through is something that affects the whole process of creation from beginning to end. Originally, the difference between an EP and an album was an easy distinction to make, both in the physical package and in content. An EP was a 45 rpm record significantly smaller in size than the LP, or a 33 rpm album, with there also being a limit on the amount of music each can hold.

Accordingly, an album is seen as being a cohesive body of work while an EP can contain a string of singles which don’t necessarily need to have much of a relation to one another. Although with the rise of playlists and the stalwart popularity of singles, the lines become somewhat blurred around the intentions and distinctions of the release of certain projects and how they are marketed.

The EP in the modern world is a versatile package which comes with less commitment and less risk to those involved in the release. An EP can also be a strong jumping off point for newer artists without enough material for an album in the volatile music industry. A recent example of this is Philadelphia singer-songwriter Greg Mendez. Having gained critical acclaim and notoriety for his independent 2023 self-titled release, he soon signed to the indie heavyweight label Dead Oceans.

Fresh off an album, Dead Oceans released a short collection of songs by Mendez in 2024 as the First Time / Alone EP. This gave the label a chance to flaunt their newly signed artist, reissue his most popular album, and allow Mendez to showcase his ability, proving that he has more to offer than one great album. In general, a finished project is also easier to market than a single which stands alone as just a track without much of a strong identity. 

EPs, especially 7-inch records, have long been popular in punk and DIY scenes as the cost of production is a lot more friendly while also being a substantial physical release with which to get to know a band better. Punk pioneers like Minor Threat and Black Flag are perfect examples of the starting power of the 7-inch EP, helping to form a fanbase and solidify a band’s identity.

This method of release is still seen today in the scene with the practice being continued through up-and-coming hardcore punk bands like End It, SPY, and BIB. An EP is especially suited to this style of music because bands in the genre tend to gravitate towards short, hard-hitting songs while still needing to establish themselves and their sound within this short timeframe. 

The EP has become a happy middle ground between the album and the single. With an EP, there is the option to have the cohesion of an album or try out new things with a string of attached singles. Finishing a project longer than a single gives an artist a certain amount of credibility and gives their fans something to sink their teeth into. The popularity of the EP over an album today largely comes down to a cheaper production cost, less overall risk, and versatility in content.

Shorter forms of media are simply more popular and more prevalent today — the EP being no exception. It is undeniably a great form of release with which an artist can work through. The music industry is more competitive than ever which, for artists, also means fighting harder for fans and listeners. Most of the time an album just isn’t viable, and that’s where the EP continues to shine.

Artists now have a multitude of ways and formats in which to work with and release their music. There is an ever-increasing amount of music to be explored with people having to choose where they devote their limited time in a busy world. Singles and viral tracks are being prioritized over full-length projects. So, for an up and coming artist, is an album worth the expense and risk? The EP seems to be the reliable tradeoff that continues to be important to many artists, genres, and the music scene as a whole.

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