The Complete Music Release Checklist

This music release checklist walks you through every step from finished master to release day, so nothing slips through the cracks. Whether you are putting out a single, an EP or an album, work through it in order. The biggest mistakes — missing the playlist-pitch deadline, wrong metadata, no pre-save — are all avoidable with a list.

Quick answer

The essentials: finish and master the audio, choose a distributor, prep square artwork and accurate metadata, set a date at least three to four weeks out, pitch to Spotify editorial, open a pre-save, then promote on release day and the weeks after. The detailed version follows.

4–6 weeks before release

• Confirm the track is fully mixed and mastered for streaming — check loudness with our LUFS guide.
• Choose your distributor (compare options in the best music distribution services guide).
• Finalise square cover art: at least 3000 x 3000 pixels, RGB, no logos, URLs or prices.
• Write your metadata sheet: exact artist name, title, featured artists, songwriter/producer credits, genre, language.

3–4 weeks before release

• Upload to your distributor and set the release date (Friday is the standard).
• Confirm your ISRC (per track) and UPC (per release) are assigned.
• Pitch the track in Spotify for Artists — editorial wants roughly four weeks’ notice.
• Set up a Spotify pre-save and create your smart link.

2 weeks before release

• Prepare promo assets: social posts, video clips, canvas, lyric snippets.
• Submit to relevant blogs and curators, and prepare your EPK if pitching press.
• Tease the release on social and email your list a heads-up.
• Schedule announcement posts and pre-save reminders.

Release week

• Double-check all tracks are scheduled and metadata is correct.
• Line up your release-day posts across every platform.
• Prepare to add the song to your own profile playlists.

Release day

• Confirm the song is live on your main platforms.
• Share your smart link everywhere — stories, posts, email, bio.
• Thank everyone who pre-saved and engage with comments.
• Add the track to your artist profile and any relevant playlists you control.

After release

• Keep posting for weeks — early activity signals the algorithm to keep surfacing your track. See how to get more streams on Spotify.
• Check your stats in Spotify for Artists and note what worked.
• Keep building with ongoing promotion and plan your next release.

For the strategy behind the timeline, read how to plan a music release, and for the mechanics of a first single, see how to release a song independently.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start a release campaign?

Begin four to six weeks before release day. That window covers Spotify’s editorial pitch deadline (about four weeks), pre-save setup, asset prep and store processing, so everything is ready when the song goes live.

What is the most commonly missed step?

Pitching to Spotify editorial in time. The pitch must go in before the release date, so artists who upload too late lose the chance entirely. Setting the date with enough lead time solves it.

Does this checklist work for singles, EPs and albums?

Yes. The steps are the same; longer releases just need more lead time and more promotional assets. For multi-track projects, allow six to eight weeks and consider releasing a lead single first.