How to pick the best songs for your EP and album release.

So you’ve written a collection of songs and now it’s time to narrow it down and pick the best 4-7 songs that clearly articulate your sound, vibe and message. How on earth can you do that? They are all like your babies, and you want them all to go forth and be great! How can you possibly choose between your babies?

This dilemma is very common in the music business. I’ve sat in countless record label A&R meetings pondering this same question, and it's hard. However, I’ve found a few strategies that really help get to the heart of this question and choose the right songs for the release: 

Step 1: Pick songs that are thematically similar, or fit together cohesively.

If you meant to tell a story with this EP album, you’ll need to connect the songs that are part of that particular emotional journey. First, take a look at the state of mind you were in when you wrote each song. What was on your mind, and what were you trying to say through the song? If you’re not sure, that could mean that particular song isn’t done yet, especially if the message isn’t clear. You may want to place those in a “further development” folder. 

Step 2: Pick songs that fit together musically.

Next, listen to the sound of the productions. Is there a common thread that is consistent throughout the tracks? Even if it’s just a certain sound, find something that is consistent between them. These songs can go into a “potentials” folder. Then, make a folder for the songs that don’t connect sonically to each other at all. 

Step 3: Pick the songs that sound the best, and get you the most excited.

After you’ve organized your songs between these two folders, listen to each song carefully, and ask yourself: which songs give you that overwhelming feeling of goosebumps? Which songs stir up your emotions? Which songs really make you think? Next, figure out which of these songs you can listen to from beginning to end without so much as flinching at something in the mix. Those are the songs that are meant to be on the EP album!

Step 4: Edit your songs to make them more cohesive.

There may be some work needed to make songs that don’t match sonically, fit into the body of work. This is where some simple additional production elements can be added to your mixes to bring the entire experience together. Your producer or A&R person will likely know how and where to help you make the additions and adjustments. 

Step 5: Have a listening party!

So now you have the EP album ready, and you have the best songs possible that clearly tell the story you set out to tell. I suggest as a final step you have a listening party and play it for your close friends and family and see if they hear what you hear, without having to explain it all to them beforehand. If they hear and confirm it, then it’s ready for the world to hear!