A split album (often simply called a split) is a type of musical album that features recordings by two or more musical artists, typically bands or musicians. Unlike a compilation album, which usually features previously released material from various artists, a split album typically presents new or otherwise unreleased material from the featured artists, each contributing a distinct portion of the album's content.
Characteristics
- Multiple Artists: The defining characteristic is the involvement of two or more artists. While two artists are most common, splits with three or more are not unheard of.
- Distinct Contributions: Each artist contributes a set of tracks, often occupying a specific "side" on a vinyl record, a distinct section on a CD, or a clearly delineated part in digital releases.
- New Material: Split albums predominantly feature original or unreleased material from the participating artists, rather than repackaging previously available songs.
- Collaborative Spirit: They often arise from a sense of camaraderie or shared artistic vision between the bands involved.
Purpose and Appeal
Split albums serve several purposes within the music industry, particularly in independent and underground scenes:- Cost Sharing: For smaller, independent bands, sharing the costs of recording, mastering, pressing, and distribution can make releasing music more feasible.
- Cross-Promotion: Each band introduces its music to the other band's fanbase, potentially expanding their audience.
- Thematic Cohesion: Artists might collaborate on a split to explore a common theme, musical style, or political message.
- Solidarity and Friendship: Splits often signify a bond between the artists, reflecting shared tours, friendships, or mutual respect.
- Introducing New Material: They can serve as a way for bands to release a few new songs without committing to a full-length album, acting similarly to an extended play (EP).
Common Genres
Split albums are particularly prevalent in genres such as:- Punk rock
- Hardcore punk
- Metal (especially black metal, death metal, and thrash metal)
- Indie rock
- Underground electronic music
- Noise music
These genres often have strong DIY (Do It Yourself) ethics and interconnected scenes where collaboration and mutual support are common.
Format
Historically, split albums were most commonly released on vinyl records, with each band getting a "side" of the LP or 7-inch single. With the advent of CDs and digital distribution, the format has evolved, but the principle of distinct contributions remains. Digital splits often list the contributing artists clearly in the track metadata or album description.Relation to Other Formats
- EP (Extended Play): A split can sometimes be seen as two EPs combined into one release.
- Compilation Album: While a compilation gathers tracks from many artists (often previously released), a split focuses on a smaller number of artists contributing new material specifically for that release.
- Collaboration Album: A collaboration album typically features artists working together on the same tracks, often intertwining their styles and contributions within individual songs. A split album, in contrast, usually keeps each artist's tracks separate and distinct.