In the music industry, a release is usually the event at which an album or single is first offered for sale in record stores. Also an album launch, or single launch.

The word can also refer to creative output from an artist; a broad term covering the many different formats music can be released in, and different forms of pieces (singles, albums, eps etc).

See also

• Reissue, or rerelease

• Music recording sales certification

• Film release

• Legal release: "music release" may also refer to a legal release of music (e.g. for film)