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Plan your release backwards

Pick the release date and every deadline before it is calculated for you — including the editorial pitching window, the one deadline that cannot be moved.

GUIDE RELEASING

How to release an album (independent artist guide)

A practical walkthrough of a first release — from the master file on your desktop to a live release everywhere. Written for artists who have never distributed before; no jargon left unexplained.

01

Prepare your master

Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV — 24-bit / 48kHz is the delivery standard. Listen to the whole file once, start to finish, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and end for clicks, and leave no accidental silence at either end.

Uncompressed WAV, 24-bit / 48kHz
Full listen-through on two devices
No clipping, clicks or trailing silence
02

Artwork that passes review

Artwork requirements vary by destination. Confirm the current file, colour, text and logo rules before delivery.

3000×3000 px, RGB
Readable at thumbnail size
No platform logos, handles or URLs
03

Metadata & codes

Metadata is how the world finds you: artist name spelled exactly the same way every release, the real title with no decoration, the correct language and genre tags. Identifier codes — ISRC for the recording, UPC for the release — are assigned during onboarding; you do not need to buy them anywhere.

✦ Spelling drift is the most common first-release mistake — “Human decision”, “LaylaNoor” and “Layla N.” become three different artists in the stores.
04

Choose your release date

Give yourself runway. A date several weeks out leaves room for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Align the date with anything you control — a video, a show, a post series — so the release lands with support rather than alone.

05

Apply for your invite

Mazufa is invite-only. Complete applications enter a human-review queue subject to capacity. Submitting never creates an account; approved applicants may receive a private onboarding invitation.

06

After approval

Once onboarded, an eligible release is prepared to current destination specifications. Available reporting depends on platform data and account access.

TERMS USED IN THIS GUIDE
ISRC

An ISRC identifies a recording; reporting and royalty coverage depend on each platform and agreement.

UPC

The barcode of your release — one per single, EP or album.

DSP

Digital Service Provider — a music service such as Spotify, Apple Music or Anghami, subject to current availability.

PAGE CONTENT
Home Release an Album

An album is a bigger moment than a single — and a smarter rollout wins. The modern independent playbook: release singles first to build momentum, then drop the full album. Here's how to plan it, current.

The rollout

Release an album in 5 moves

1

Lead with singles

Release 2-3 singles from the album in the weeks before, each with a pre-save and playlist pitch. Singles warm up the algorithm and your audience.

2

Sequence the tracklist

Order songs for flow — a strong opener, singles placed to pull listeners through, and consistent metadata across every track.

3

Schedule the album 3-4 weeks out

Deliver the full album early so you can pitch it and set an album pre-save/pre-order. Pick a Friday.

4

Prepare assets

Cover art, Canvas videos, short clips for each single, and your link-in-bio ready for launch day.

5

Drop & keep promoting

Release the album, then keep pushing individual tracks for weeks — an album is a campaign, not a single day.

Do it all current

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Review the current plan and applicable agreement. Run the release checklist for each drop, and estimate earnings with the royalty calculator.

Questions

Frequently asked

How do I release an album as an independent artist?

Release 2-3 singles first to build momentum, sequence your tracklist, schedule the full album 3-4 weeks ahead with a pre-save, prepare assets, then drop it and keep promoting individual tracks.

Should I release singles before the album?

Yes — singles warm up the algorithm and your audience, and give you multiple promotion moments. Most successful independent album rollouts lead with singles.

Is it current to release an album?

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

How far ahead should I schedule my album?

Deliver 3-4 weeks before release day so you can pitch playlists and set up an album pre-save or pre-order.

How many songs should an album have?

There's no rule — many independent albums run 8-12 tracks, while EPs run 3-6. Focus on quality and a strong sequence over length.

Start now

Release your album — current.

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Your first single starts here

One invite application, reviewed by a human. Bring the master, the artwork and the story.

Apply for Invite ♪