The "single deal" isn't as prevalent as it once was, but with the playlist era at its peak, it's time for a return. Labels and artists could test the waters w/ a short-term commitment, w/ multiple options to extend the relationship. A show and prove opportunity for both parties.

For the artist, it means taking a test drive w/ the label. Do they have the people and resources to elevate a record? A career?

For the label, it means a smaller upfront investment, and the ability to cut bait if the act isn't viable in the marketplace or the signing A&R exits.

Labels keep forcing artists to sign deals around the delivery of album(s), but here's the truth: without development, most new signings would be better off just releasing singles. It takes REAL TALENT (and time) to create a full-length work capable of capturing an audience.

Artists ask me all the time, "Why should anyone sign with a record label?" And part of my answer is, they have money and resources. Well, that money and those resources, for many artists, would be much better spent working individual records, not albums.

Artists sometimes hold on to would-be hit singles for months, sometimes years. The reason? They need to finish an album. But if there's no album to plan or schedule around, when the record is done, you just release it.

And the best part? Artists don't need to sign away album masters before they realize their full capability as a recording artist, and labels can hedge against so many of their failed, long-term deal with artists who don't have several albums in them.