How to Promote Your Music Release Like a Pro 

New release of music at the right time can make all the difference between a song that gets lost in the noise and one that gains real traction. Whether you're an independent artist or signed to a label, timing the new release strategically can boost your chances of getting more streams, media coverage, and playlist placements. In this article, we’ll break down the best times for a new release, based on listener behavior, industry trends, and platform algorithms, so you can make sure your next release hits with maximum impact.

We’ll be taking a look at the following:

1. What Is The Best Day To Release Music?
   
   
2. What Are The Best Months To Release New Music?
   
   
3. What Are The Worst Months To Release New Music?
   
   
4. How To Plan A New Music Release?
   
   
5. Final Thoughts
   
   

What Is The Best Day To Release Music?

When it comes to choosing the right day to release new music, Friday is the undisputed champion. Known globally as New Music Friday, this trend became the industry standard. 

With the weekend to push the song out for initial streams, it really sets things in motion for the new release. With Spotify’s editorial playlist ‘New Music Friday’ to push music out, artists can make the most out of the initial week of new music release. That is only if you’re fortunate enough to be featured in the editorials like Release Radar, New Music Friday, etc. These playlists are updated weekly, and with only a limited space for limited tracks, the competition is high.

And so, despite being the industry norm. It isn’t always best to drop your music on Friday. With the submission platforms and social media saturated with new releases, the audience might just skip out on your track. Especially, if you’re an independent musician, with no team to market your music on the same level as a label, then Friday might not work for you.

Instead of releasing music on a crowded Friday, indie musicians can choose quieter days like Tuesday or Wednesday to stand out. These mid-week drops face less competition, giving curators more time to consider your music and making it easier to grab the attention of fans and media outlets. Releasing earlier in the week also gives your track time to build momentum before the weekend rush hits. It's a strategic move for maximizing visibility without competing directly with mainstream releases.

What Are The Best Months To Release New Music?

By releasing music during periods of high listener engagement and lower industry noise, independent artists can maximize their chances of standing out, getting playlisted, and building momentum. Proper planning and aligning your music’s vibe with the season can make all the difference.

January and February

These months are ideal for indie artists because there's less competition and a greater chance of grabbing media and listener attention. After the holiday rush, audiences are looking for new sounds and playlists to refresh their mood for the year.

March to June

Spring through early summer is a great time to release upbeat, energetic music, something that screams summer music. Listeners are more engaged, curators are open to new releases, and festival season creates buzz without overwhelming competition from major labels.

September and Early October

As people shift from the summer music and fall routines settle in, there's a renewed focus on music. This period is especially good for reflective or moodier tracks and gives indie artists a window before the busy holiday season.

What Are The Worst Months To Release New Music?

For indie artists looking to maximize exposure, it's best to avoid these months and aim for release windows with higher listener engagement and less competition.

July and August

Summer may seem perfect for releasing upbeat tracks, but these months are packed with major label campaigns and big-name artist drops. On top of that, many listeners are on vacation or distracted by festivals and outdoor events, leading to a drop in focused music discovery. For indie artists, this means fewer playlist spots, lower engagement, and more competition for attention.

November and December

The holiday season is saturated with Christmas music, end-of-year recaps, and industry shutdowns. Editorial teams, curators, and media outlets are often winding down or shifting focus to holiday content. Unless you’re releasing seasonal or holiday-themed music, your release may be overlooked entirely. It’s also harder to secure playlist placements or press during this time.

How To Plan A New Music Release?

Build Social Media Hype

Start teasing your song early using snippets, visuals, or lyrics to grab attention. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts are powerful tools to create buzz. Share behind-the-scenes content, artwork reveals, and countdowns to keep your audience engaged. Use trending audio or challenges to give your song a better chance of reaching new listeners. Make sure your best content is pinned and your bio clearly highlights the upcoming release so new fans can easily follow along.

 

 

 

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Submit to Playlist Curators

Reach out to independent playlist curators using platforms like Greaserelease SubmitHub, Groover, Daily Playlists, etc. Select playlists that match your genre and write short, thoughtful pitches that explain the vibe of your song and why it would fit. Personalized submissions tend to stand out more than generic ones. Even small playlists can make a big impact when you’re building momentum. Keep track of where you submit and continue looking for niche curators who support independent music.

Submit to Spotify Editorial Playlists

Use Spotify for Artists to pitch your track directly to Spotify’s editorial team. This should be done before your song is released, and the earlier you submit, the better. Be sure to fill out all metadata fields like genre, mood, instruments, and recording details. In the pitch description, share a brief backstory about the song and what makes it special. This gives editors more context and increases your chances of being selected for official playlists.

Post-Release Promotion

The work doesn’t stop after the release either. Once your song is out, continue promoting it across all platforms. Share the streaming link in your bio and post regularly to remind your audience. Create new content using the track, like lyric videos, acoustic versions, or fan reactions. Engage with listeners by replying to comments, resharing their posts, and thanking them directly. Keep the momentum going for at least a few weeks after release by staying consistent and creative with your content. Consider boosting posts or running small ads to reach more people.

 

 

 

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Perform Live

To really push your music to the right ears, you can try live gigs as well. With good research and an idea of what audience you’re going to be dealing with, performing live can help enforce the musician-fan community. This will not only help you get more listens but also build a loyal follower base.

 

 

 

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Final Thoughts

Promoting a music release goes far beyond just uploading the track. Building hype on social media, submitting to playlist curators, pitching to Spotify editorials, and staying active after the release all play a major role in how well your song performs. As an independent artist, these steps help you stand out, grow your audience, and give your music the attention it deserves. Stay consistent, plan ahead, and keep creating content that connects with your listeners, because every release is a chance to build something bigger :)

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!