What Is a Release in Velveteen
Updated June 12, 2026
A release is the distributable container for music in Velveteen. It is the single, EP, or album that stores see, with tracks, artwork, release dates, label data, copyright lines, and store-facing metadata.
Think of the release as the product record. Tracks are the recordings inside it. The release is what gives those recordings a title, cover, release date, label, and delivery context.
Release-level fields
Title and display artist
The public-facing release name and artist string.
Artwork
The cover image Velveteen requires before submission.
Dates
Consumer release date, original release date, and optional pre-order date.
Label and copyright
The label_id plus © and P line text used for delivery metadata.
Where tracks fit
Tracks attach to a release through an ordered junction. That order is what turns separate recordings into a single, EP, or album.
For a one-track release, Velveteen also checks that the track genre fields match the release genre fields before submission.
Frequently asked questions
Does every release need artwork?+
Yes. Submission checks for artwork before a release can leave draft.
Does every release need a label?+
Yes. Velveteen requires a label_id before submission.
Can I reuse a track on another release?+
Tracks are separate objects and can be attached through release_tracks. Keep metadata accurate for the specific release you are delivering.
Who owns the release?+
Access is handled through release_permissions. The label is the owner-of-record for delivery metadata.
Related articles
Overview
The full release object: formats, metadata, tracks, labels, readiness checks, submission, review, and delivery.
What is a track?
One recording: attach it to releases, then manage its audio, ISRC, credits, performers, publishers, and shareholders.
What is a label?
The owner-of-record for releases: independent artists use an assigned label, and Pro or Label accounts can use custom labels.