💡✍️ ADN:026 - How To Find The Perfect Album Title

Hey Friends -

Welcome to the Artist Development Newsletter.

Every Sunday, I send an email providing actionable tips for artists and industry on one area of the music business.

Last week we talked about the completion backward method.

You can re-read last week's newsletter here if you want to refresh.

Today we will discuss how to find the perfect album title.

Let's jump in.

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Today's subject matter is present in my mind daily right now.

I'm working on a few different albums in various completion stages.

Because of that, I've been thinking about what makes a great album title and how you can approach naming your album.

Here are 5 elements I believe help to make a great album title.

1. Reflect The Theme:

The title should reflect the theme or mood of the album.

It should give the listener an idea of what to expect when they listen to the album.

2. Memorable And Catchy:

A great album title should be catchy and memorable.

It should stick in the listener's mind and makes them want to listen to the album.

3. Unique:

The title should be unique and something other than what has been used before.

It should stand out and be easily recognizable.

4. Short and simple:

My favorite album titles are typically short and straightforward, but there are a few outliers, like The 1975 and Fiona Apple.

You want a title that is easy to remember and say, so even if you decide on a more extended title, it's wise to know there is also a short, catchy name to call it.

5. Creative:

A great album title should be creative and original.

It should grab the listener's attention and make them curious about the album.

Examples that represent some or all of these qualities are:

"Kid A" by Radiohead

This album title checks all the boxes.

• Memorable
• Unique
• Short
• Creative
• Reflects a theme

"Pink Moon" by Nick Drake

This album title is memorable and unique, short and straightforward, and blends with Drake's haunting vocals and finger-picked guitar to make a truly immersive experience.

"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" by Lauryn Hill

The title is creative and original, grabbing the listener's attention.

It's a play on words that helps make the listener curious about the album's content.

In Conclusion

There is no one way or right way to name your album.

Many of my favorite albums pull a lyric from a song that represents the theme of the overall record.

Rather than naming the album after one song title or coming up with a catchy phrase to represent the whole, sometimes the title hides in plain sight in one of your lyrics.

Try to marry the music to the title and then the title to your art.

Once you have those elements, you can carry them forward to your videos, marketing, PR, merchandise, and all other buckets for promoting your album.

See you next Sunday!

Neil Mason

Artist Development

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