SPRING RELEASES START IN SUMMER
It’s mid-summer. Maybe you’ve just booked a studio.
Maybe you’re dusting off old demos and realizing they deserve a second life.
If you're thinking about releasing a record in spring 2026, now is exactly the right time to start planning.
WORKING BACKWARDS FROM A SPRING RELEASE
Let’s say you want to release an album in April. To give your campaign a proper runway, you'll likely want to release three singles, spaced out monthly. That puts your first single release in January.
And to release in January, you’ll need to upload your first track by December. Why?
DSPs like Apple Music recommend submitting at least 4 weeks in advance for editorial pitching
You’ll need time to update your artist profiles, prepare visual assets, and plan your social media communications
Most distributors require advance time to deliver to stores, and last-minute uploads can ruin your rollout
In short: if you want impact, don’t leave it until the last minute.
MAKING PHYSICAL COPIES? PLAN EVEN EARLIER
If you’re releasing CDs or vinyl, timelines get longer. Here's a basic guide:
CDs: Usually require 4–6 weeks turnaround
Vinyl: Can take 8–12+ weeks, depending on the manufacturer and time of year
Planning to sell physical formats on release day? Work backward from your April deadline and allow for mastering, production, shipping, and possible delays.
CREATIVE WORK TAKES TIME
Even if you're in the studio now, don’t underestimate the time it takes to mix, master, finalize artwork for the album and singles, shoot videos, and write press material. Creative work rarely fits into perfect timelines – and rushing it can hurt your results.
But the good news is: you still have the whole autumn to get it right.
NEED A PLAN? WE CAN HELP.
If all of this feels overwhelming, you’re not alone.
At Release the Kraken, we help artists create realistic, flexible release plans – based on your goals, timeline, and available assets. We’ll help you break it down and stay on track, from first upload to launch day.
Don’t wait until spring to plan your spring release. Start now.
We’ve got your back.
Contact us through our SUBMISSION FORM to get started.
