Since I became a DJ in 2020 (also known as the ‘Era of the Pandemic DJs’), I’ve noticed a trend among DJ/Producers in the EDM space. Yes, I’m already aware that EDM is the ‘Rock & Roll’ of my generation as well as Gen Z, but the trend that I’m noticing is DJ/Producers (especially the up-and-coming ones) are dropping 2-track singles and EPs. I’m guessing this started happening for the digital music streaming era during 2021 and 2022, but honestly this format isn’t anything new. Artists like The Beatles and Prince & The Revolution released what was called a Double-A Side Single (two singles on one vinyl record) back during the 1960s-1980s. (Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane and Let’s Go Crazy/Take Me With U.) Now with the way music trends are (especially when it comes to Spotify and TikTok), artists have started dropping singles on a consistent basis just to stay relevant with the times.

DJs and EDM producers have also adapted the ‘2-track release’ format, as since the umbrella-termed music genre is now a ‘singles-driven’ market. When I started producing professionally in 2019, I was a noob in trying to figure out if I should release an album or an EP. One year later I dropped my first EP; Minddgames.

I would’ve never figured out how to release my music on all major (and minor) music streaming platforms through DistroKid, had it not been for a fellow artist named King Shabazz (shout-out to the King, I appreciate you)! If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a music producer, its that albums take much longer to release than singles and EPs. Why? Because an album is a much larger body of production, and the creative process is geared towards telling a story, or even creating a feeling depending on the style and mood of the songs that are on it. The average number of songs on an album is between 9-13, and out of those 13, at least one or two of those songs may gain a spot on a Top 20 playlist.

Another thing that may be driving the return of the 2-track single release (or EP), is attention span. Unless you’ve established yourself 20+ years ago with multiple singles, albums, and EPs (and even have a dedicated fanbase like Beyonce’ and Taylor Swift), you’re gonna have to drop releases on a frequent and consistent basis to even get ‘noticed’ on the charts. If you’re an Electronic Music Producer & DJ, all it takes is one banger of a track (and the right amount of marketing), and you’ll be on the road to chart-topping success in no time.

That’s why I’ve decided to switch up the way I produce music these days; I like producing albums and EPs, but later I find myself in ‘creative fatigue’ with arrangements that sound like previous arrangements to tracks that I’ve already released. Also I’ve taken a more ‘quality over quantity’ approach with how I produce my music, so that listeners and enthusiasts who are looking for something EDM-adjacent, may give my discography a shot. Maybe somewhere down the line if my fanbase gets larger I’ll release a new album, but for now, two tracks is good enough for me!

Until next post, keep spinnin’!