&TillyWhen planning your next release, one question always comes up: Which day should I release my music? For most, the go-to answer is Friday. But is that truly the best option for everyone – or just the default because “everyone says so” or “that’s when editorials update”?
Here’s a reality check: How many independent artists actually land on editorial playlists every Friday? (Spoiler: not that many.) And if you’re not one of them, does releasing on Friday really make your music stand out – or does it just get lost in the shuffle?
The good news here is that Fridays aren’t your only option. This article looks into Fridays as release dates as well as alternative days, when and why they might work better, and how to choose the one that fits your music and goals best. And for which month(s) is/are the best for releasing, check this other article :)
Why are Fridays so popular for releases?
Fridays have become the default release day in the music industry – and a big reason for this is their alignment with Spotify’s New Music Friday and other editorial playlists. These playlists showcase fresh tracks and can deliver major streams for artists fortunate enough to be featured.
Another factor? Back in 2015, the global music industry standardized Fridays as the official release day for albums and singles.
BUT! Unless you’re signed to a major label or consistently landing on editorial playlists, releasing on a Friday might not actually be working in your favor. Why is that?
The challenges of Friday releases
Fridays are packed. Like, really busy. Major and independent artists alike flood the scene with new tracks, saturating social media with release announcements and the new releases section on Spotify. This makes it harder for your music promotion to cut through the noise.
There’s also the issue of listener fatigue. With so many options dropping all at once, audiences can feel overwhelmed, potentially making it harder for your track to grab attention.
It’s not just listeners who are overwhelmed, though. Playlist curators, bloggers, and industry pros often face a flood of submissions on Fridays. The sheer volume might mean they review tracks more quickly and less thoroughly. On a quieter day, your song might actually get more attention – both during review and when placed in the playlist.
Imagine being added to a playlist on a Wednesday as one of two new tracks versus being added on a Friday alongside 10 others. Which do you think will generate more streams for your song on release day? 😉
Why consider alternative release days?
Choosing a quieter release day can help your music stand out – though Fridays might still work best for you in some cases. The key is experimenting to see what works better for you. Here’s why releasing on other days could be worth a shot:
- Less competition: Social feeds and curator inboxes are less crowded, giving your music more room to shine.
- Better engagement: Fans and friends are more likely to notice and engage with your release when it’s not competing with dozens of announcements – especially if they have more free time than on (typically busy) Fridays.
- Not everything happens on Fridays: Some editorial playlists update on days other than Fridays or don’t update weekly at all. For example, Wednesday updates are also common for some editorials. Plus, many tracks released midweek still find their way onto New Music Friday and similar playlists when the time comes.
If your main goal is visibility and connecting with your audience – rather than solely aiming for editorial features – exploring less saturated days might give your release a better boost.
When Fridays make sense for you as release days
While alternative release days can work well, Fridays aren’t inherently a bad choice. In fact, they can be the perfect option if:
- You’re focused on targeting editorial playlists: Especially if you’ve had success landing on playlists like New Music Friday in the past.
- Your label or deal requires it: Many industry structures and promotional timelines are built around Friday releases.
- You’ve found Friday success: If releasing on Fridays has consistently worked for you, there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken.
Experimenting will tell you more
If you’re not bound to Fridays, experimenting with other days could uncover surprising results. Here are some alternatives to consider:
- Tuesday or Wednesday: These days are MUCH quieter on social media, and curators often have more time to review submissions. Plus, some editorial playlists update midweek, making these days worth exploring.
- Thursday: Close enough to Friday to generate some buzz but without the overwhelming noise of New Music Friday.
- Saturday-Sunday: A bold choice that might not suit everyone – however, Sundays, in particular, are a downtime day for many, giving your release more undistracted attention.
The only way to find your ideal release day is to test it. Try a few different days over multiple releases, keep track of your results, and analyze the data.
While the release day matters, other factors like the quality of your music, promotion efforts, and budget play a significant role in its success. A great song with a strong promo plan can shine no matter the day!
Pro tips for choosing your release day
- Know your audience: When and where are your fans most active? Use tools like social media insights, Spotify for Artists, or Apple Music for Artists, as well as past campaign data, to identify patterns. If your audience tends to engage on specific days, align your release to maximize visibility.
- Set clear goals: What’s your top priority? Landing on playlists? Growing YouTube views? Boosting fan engagement? Defining your goals and priorities helps you evaluate the success of each release. Sync your release day to a logical flow with other activities like email campaigns, gigs, or social posts for a coordinated strategy that amplifies the reach.
- Track your results: Keep a simple spreadsheet with details on each release – the day, streams, placements, audience engagement, notes... Over time, this data might reveal trends and help you make informed decisions about future releases.
- Think outside the box: An unconventional approach – whether it’s a surprise release, unique promo copy texts, or a non-traditional day – can grab attention simply because it’s unexpected. Don’t be afraid to mix things up.
The bottom line
There’s no universal “best” release day – only the best one for you and your song. It all depends on your audience, goals, and strategy – so experiment, analyze, and adjust. Whether you stick with Fridays or try something different, the focus is on making your music as accessible and impactful as it deserves to be. It (really) shouldn’t be just about getting on editorials.
