An extended play , often referred to as an EP , or mini-album is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but is usually unqualified as an album or LP. Ricardo Baca of The Denver Post said, "EPs—originally extended-play 'single' releases that are shorter than traditional albums—have long been popular with punk and indie bands. EPs were released in various sizes in different eras.

What is an LP?
How many songs are in an EP?
Okay, then what is an LP album? Understanding the difference between an EP and an LP in depth means digging into the history of the music industry a bit. It's really quite interesting, and we'll do that but first I'll answer the questions outright. As a fan or curious searcher, you want the quick answer. As anyone involved in the music industry, you're going to want to know the full details, because choosing to release an EP a short album, basically versus an LP a full album has everything to do with your budget, your marketing, and maximizing your revenue. Let's get past the surface level stuff first so we're all on the same page, and then we'll talk about the nitty gritty and how you can take advantage of these two formats.
What is an EP?
With TuneCore you can distribute Singles and Albums to the digital stores. Each store has its own way of categorizing content. TuneCore cannot control how the stores group and format their content.
In the music industry, EP stands for "extended play record" or simply "extended play. EPs are usually four to six songs in length and are generally made using original tracks that the artist hasn't released. Musicians release EPs for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently used as promotional tools to grow a fan base. EPs often introduce new bands, keep interest in an artist alive between the release of full-length albums, or help promote a tour. Artists also use EPs as giveaways and incentives for joining mailing lists , or to help sell concert tickets. Some of the other reasons artists create EPs are:. One option for distribution is using a publisher such as TuneCore, a New York-based independent digital music distribution, publishing, and licensing service. TuneCore's benefit is that it gives musicians the tools they need to get their music out to the world, grow their fan base, and stay in control of their careers. However, you don't necessarily have to hire an outside distributor—not if you're tech inclined. It may not be cutting-edge, but as long as your website is professional-looking and you keep it updated , it's a good place to upload your EP—especially if you direct fans to your site via your social media platforms.