How Releases Work in Songkeeper
Package songs and recording versions into singles, EPs, albums, and compilations with artists, artwork, UPCs, labels, tracks, links, publishing status, and export readiness.
Releases package existing songs, recording versions, and files into the public-facing product you track for distribution, playlist creation, and export workflows. A release can be a single, EP, album, or compilation.
Quick answer
A release does not replace a song, project, or recording version. It is the release-level layer: title, release type, artists, date, UPC/EAN, catalog number, label, distributor, artwork, streaming links, track order, publishing status, and export readiness.
Release data vs source data
Releases link to existing source records rather than duplicating every detail. This keeps the release focused on release metadata while song and recording data continue to live where they are edited.
| Layer | What it stores | Related docs |
|---|---|---|
| Release | Release title, type, status, release date, UPC/EAN, catalog number, record company, label / imprint, distributor, artwork, territories, and platform links. | Publishing and visibility |
| Release track | Track order plus the linked song, recording version, and recording file. Track title, artist, and preview start can be overridden for the release. | Song files |
| Song | Composition-level data such as song title, songwriting, publishing, lyrics, genre, and language. | Song metadata |
| Recording version | Recording-level data such as ISRC, master ownership, performers, credits, recording details, and version metadata. | Recording metadata |
What you can do from a release
- Build a track list from specific recording files. Singles are limited to one track.
- Set artwork from an upload or from the media library.
- Add release artists, release date, UPC/EAN, catalog number, label / imprint, record company, distributor, territories, and platform links.
- Create a playlist from the release tracks.
- Review readiness and generate XLSX files from the Exports tab.
- Export ReadinessGenerate XLSX release exports and understand which release, song, recording, artist, performer, and master ownership fields each readiness card checks.
- Labels and ImprintsKnow where Songkeeper uses release Record Company, release Label / Imprint, and track-level label fields in SoundExchange, Panorama, and Artisti exports.
- Publishing StatusDraft vs Published release status, required metadata, release date gating, and how to schedule or unpublish releases in Songkeeper's external REST API.