Extended play

An extended play (EP) is a music release longer than a single but shorter than a full-length album, typically containing several tracks.

Gramophone record: A disc or cylinder that stores sound as grooves for playback by a mechanical or electrical system. Early EPs used record formats whose playing time distinguished them from singles and albums.
Single (music): A music release centered on one principal song, sometimes accompanied by additional tracks. An EP generally contains more material than a single without becoming a full album.
Debut recording: An artist's first officially released recording or collection of recordings. An EP can introduce an emerging artist without requiring a full-length album.
Maxi single: A single released with more tracks or a longer playing time than a standard single. A maxi single can approach EP length, making the boundary between the formats unclear.
Vinyl record: An analog sound recording pressed into a grooved disc made primarily from polyvinyl chloride. The seven-inch and twelve-inch vinyl EPs established familiar physical forms for the format.
Studio album: A collection of music recorded in a studio and released as a substantial, cohesive work. The EP is usually shorter and less comprehensive than a studio album.
Demo (music): A preliminary recording made to present or develop a musical work or performance. A polished EP is a commercial release, unlike a demo made chiefly for evaluation or development.
Double EP: A release packaged as two extended-play records or discs. The double EP stretches the format beyond the usual scope of a single EP.
45 rpm record: A phonograph record designed to rotate at 45 revolutions per minute, commonly issued as a seven-inch single. The seven-inch 45 became a common size for short releases and early EPs.
Track listing: An ordered list of the recordings included in a music release. Track count and sequencing help characterize an EP, though neither has a universal rule.

Linked from 5 pages