Have surprise releases gone too far?

[Spock 20,290]

I think when they're not big releases it's a nice surprise. Like, one day I woke up and found out Kylie had released a mini EP with the Fernando Garibay collaborations. I was slayed.

Didn't we know about 1989 before it was released though?

This. We knew Ryan's 1989 was coming

[retroglamx 5,099]

I despise surprise releases. I love getting hyped, I love getting snippets and getting anxious over leaks. Surprise releases completely kill the anticipation of an album and that's pretty much what it's all about.

[migamiga 12,101]

I can agree depending on the artist's decision. Beyoncé did it so that people could focus on the album instead of just the singles (which is basically what the music industry has become). No one in mainstream music makes ALBUMS. It has a couple formulaic hits and then the rest are fillers. 

Also, maybe some artists like drake just don't care to promote their albums via singles anymore. It's tiresome and annoying to some. You have to sit through interviews and answer the same questions and make all these appearances when all you wanna do is release new music

[Riot Poof 2,236]

idk y'all... I think surprise releases are interesting.

The thing is that the album has to be cohesive and devoid of filler. As some people have mentioned, surprise releases make people focus on the album as a whole.

Also, it's harder to leak something if you don't know it exists.

[JeffSwift 314]

Omg!!! Strawberry, this is the first time I agree with you! I knew it had to come soon..

 

OT: I hate surprise releases. My favorite part of a new album (besides listening to it for the first time). Is the build up; interviews, iTunes Countdowns, the endless promo is just such an exciting time. Although I do think that sometimes artists waiting periods are too long, unless you have an extremely loyal fan base. IE: Rihanna, releasing songs and than never following up with an album date or anything. She has fans but not the type that are going to sit their idle for 8 months waiting for an album. 

[RAMROD 104,132]

I enjoyed these surprise releases so far.

Got me excited with sudden new music.

Nobody expect it or have enough time to leak it.

That is is smart and amazing.

[Harry 26,836]

I think it's a good idea and I don't see how it's gone "too far" when only two artists of note have actually used this release method so far.

No artist should have to restrain from releasing in a certain way just because it's gonna outdo another artist Frankly the charts are kind of a competition/business, and on the flipside maybe it suits their artistic goals better? Maybe Beyonce and Drake want their albums to be consumed as a whole instead of slowly teasing it song by song. Maybe they're sick of their work leaking and want to have control. In 2015 where so much in the industry is soulless and about trying to sell an album with iTunes exclusive bonus tracks, Papa Johns and whatever else, I think it's admirable.

[RockySayTalk 504]

I think it's a very innovative way to tune into a fast changing social media spotlight, which works better for some artists than others. that being said I highly doubt any artist will be considering other "traditional" release schedules when deciding whether or not they'll surprise release or not, I think it has to do with a lot of other factors (so I'm sorry they took Lana's #1 but c'mon....)

I'm a little on the fence though, I do like dates and a build up, but on the other hand that's maybe more orientated towards a fanbase, casual listeners will be drawn in more likely if there's a (social) media hype the moment the album drops. 

[Gagamel 3,410]

That is really silly, you don't like it cuz your fave "had to settle" for #2. Just because someone, at a point in history, had set a standard for albums to be released with 2-3 singles beforehand with an announce date, it doesn't mean that's the right way. A surprise release means you don't spend millions on promo before the album even comes out.

I don't understand your frustrations because its not like the artist is cheating or anything, he just decided to go another way.

[Sister 9,907]

I do not think that it has gone too far and so far, I like these surprise releases, but I do not want everyone to just start doing their releases that way. It really depends on the artist and the timing in their career, for me. I would like to keep it as it is, with both ways still being possibilities. I like things about both ways of releasing the work, I like big surprises and I also like getting the little timely surprises that are given over time, so I can't choose just one and it entirely depends upon who the artist is, in my thoughts on it all. I also have always been about the whole album and not about the charts, singles and radio.

I wouldn't mind Lady Gaga doing it for her new upcoming album. I feel it would be a nice change.

[StrawberryBlond 14,087]

I mean the 1989 was a surprise release.  Ryan and Taylor had announced it beforehand.  Is the OP saying that surprise releases affect scheduled releases?  We can't be surprised by Drake and Future getting that #1 spot though.  They would've gotten the top spot even if the album was scheduled.

I define surprise releases more than "dropped completely out the blue without warning." It can also be defined as "notified the world just a week before release" or even "was mysterious about new album's release date and hinting that it could be released unexpectantly" (Kanye and Adele have been playing this game for ages now and it's really tiresome). As I understand it, 1989 was announced very last minute and only Ryan's and Taylor's fanbases knew about it. I review albums, meaning I have a schedule laid out ahead of me every month (and I check up on it every few days) and I didn't know about this album until the day he dropped it.

Yes, I am saying that the surprise affected scheduled releases. Lana would have got the #1 spot if it weren't for Drake and Future's little ego trip. It makes me mad because this album is perfect, it's the only truly brilliant album this year, and it's getting stomped on by the mixtape (mixtape, not even a proper album) of a mediocre/awful duo. Sorry, but I don't get the love for Drake and Future is tragic.

I think it's a good idea and I don't see how it's gone "too far" when only two artists of note have actually used this release method so far.

No artist should have to restrain from releasing in a certain way just because it's gonna outdo another artist Frankly the charts are kind of a competition/business, and on the flipside maybe it suits their artistic goals better? Maybe Beyonce and Drake want their albums to be consumed as a whole instead of slowly teasing it song by song. Maybe they're sick of their work leaking and want to have control. In 2015 where so much in the industry is soulless and about trying to sell an album with iTunes exclusive bonus tracks, Papa Johns and whatever else, I think it's admirable.

Plenty more have used this model, especially this year. I don't care if they're A-listers or not, everyone's getting in on this act. I can name 6 who have done it as well as others that are in that grey area of "was it a surprise, is it not?" In general, a lot of albums have been announced last minute this year and it's annoying me as it's f***ing up my album review schedule. 

Are you not even slightly mad that they stole Lana's #1? That it wasn't even with an album, but a mixtape that'll probably be forgotten? I really don't think it's about wanting their albums to be consumed as a whole, it's just about drawing attention to themelves for doing something "brave." Beyonce desperately needed a hit album after the unexpected underperformance of 4 and she worked up a ton of hype leading up to this surprise release. She wouldn't have felt the need to do this if 4 had been a hit. No, surprise releases have a cynical reason behind them and it's all about being self-centered.

That is really silly, you don't like it cuz your fave "had to settle" for #2. Just because someone, at a point in history, had set a standard for albums to be released with 2-3 singles beforehand with an announce date, it doesn't mean that's the right way. A surprise release means you don't spend millions on promo before the album even comes out.

I don't understand your frustrations because its not like the artist is cheating or anything, he just decided to go another way.

Yes, she had to "settle for" #2 because she was all set to debut there according to the chart updates until her moment got cruelly snatched away from her. I like the standard that's set because it's fair. You've got a release date and you stick to it and you already have to deal with the element of luck against the other artists, the last thing you need is for an extra opponent to be added that you didn't expect. Artists are under so much pressure as it is and now they've got an extra layer to contend with.

I do think it is cheating in a sense. Stepping right in front of other artists knowing that you're currently more successful so are likely to trounce them is bad manners. It's akin to being a little kid waiting for ages in the queue for the ice cream van when suddenly, some big kid cuts the queue just as you've been granted a turn. We don't have sympathy for queue jumpers in reality, why accept it in the music industry? Jumping in front of other artists means you think your art is more important. As long as you get your desired goal, to hell with everyone else's, basically. It wouldn't be as bad if the media reported widely on all albums, regardless of success. But if you don't go to #1, you can easily be forgotten because there's no fanfare for the runner ups. Not every album that goes to #1 is a massive success but a lot are. Lana needed this #1 to help towards her dwindling success and relevancy. It can also help critics to be nicer about her albums (they started rating her work much better after the public gave her the praise that the critics never initially did). But if she's not at the top, the critics have less reason to be fair to her. it's a nasty business, it really is.

[Harry 26,836]

 

Plenty more have used this model, especially this year. I don't care if they're A-listers or not, everyone's getting in on this act. I can name 6 who have done it as well as others that are in that grey area of "was it a surprise, is it not?" In general, a lot of albums have been announced last minute this year and it's annoying me as it's f***ing up my album review schedule. 

Are you not even slightly mad that they stole Lana's #1? That it wasn't even with an album, but a mixtape that'll probably be forgotten? I really don't think it's about wanting their albums to be consumed as a whole, it's just about drawing attention to themelves for doing something "brave." Beyonce desperately needed a hit album after the unexpected underperformance of 4 and she worked up a ton of hype leading up to this surprise release. She wouldn't have felt the need to do this if 4 had been a hit. No, surprise releases have a cynical reason behind them and it's all about being self-centered.

"Everyone" "I can name 6" ... Seems like a pretty tiny minority to me. Especially if they aren't A-listers. Even Drake/Future wasn't a total surprise as it had already been talked about and they announced it the day before. Still last minute, but not exactly a surprise release in the vein of Beyonce.

Yeah I was mad that they took her number one, but then I realised it wasn't that big of a deal and I continued on in my life. I love that you're pointing out the cynicism of others when you are being incredibly cynical right now How do you know that's not just how they want the albums out? Sure, for the labels it's probably a good gimmick. But neither you or I know exactly why they do it. It's just that you're choosing to be bias and cynical about it, that's all.

Tell me, did you feel this way before Lana's #1 got snatched? Have you expressed these feelings before that?

[FGGrayson 9,670]

i don't like the "surprise releases" tbh   it's ****ing retarded  

[PinkJelly 1,692]

sis you tell me

[DeleteMyAccount 11,881]

I define surprise releases more than "dropped completely out the blue without warning." It can also be defined as "notified the world just a week before release" or even "was mysterious about new album's release date and hinting that it could be released unexpectantly" (Kanye and Adele have been playing this game for ages now and it's really tiresome). As I understand it, 1989 was announced very last minute and only Ryan's and Taylor's fanbases knew about it. I review albums, meaning I have a schedule laid out ahead of me every month (and I check up on it every few days) and I didn't know about this album until the day he dropped it.

Yes, I am saying that the surprise affected scheduled releases. Lana would have got the #1 spot if it weren't for Drake and Future's little ego trip. It makes me mad because this album is perfect, it's the only truly brilliant album this year, and it's getting stomped on by the mixtape (mixtape, not even a proper album) of a mediocre/awful duo. Sorry, but I don't get the love for Drake and Future is tragic.

I think you're more frustrated about success then because Ryan charted at #7.  If Drake and Future debuted lower and Lana got #1, would you have even made this topic?  I think some people only dislike surprise releases only when they actually do well.