As reported near the end of February, the head of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, Frances Moore, announced that, "after many months of discussions," Friday would eventually become the global release day for all new music. Now, the start date for this new effort has been set: July 10, 2015.

This is no small piece of news; the IFPI represents 1,300 record companies across the globe, and the new release date will affect 45 countries. "For music fans ... Fridays are set to become the day for newly-released music," the IFPI writes. The new date "will see the introduction of 'New Music Fridays,' an aligned global release day for new music. The move, implemented by labels, retailers and artists internationally, means that fans in many countries will no longer have to wait for days to get access to newly-released tracks and albums."

The statement goes on:

Up until now, music has been released on different days of the week in various countries - from Mondays in markets such as France and the UK, through Tuesdays in the US and Canada and to Fridays in markets such as Australia and Germany. That will change on 10th July when new music will be released on Fridays at 00:01 local time around the world.

The move will mean fans can now get new music on the same day worldwide rather than having to wait for their own national release day. It puts an end to fans being unable to access music in their own country when it is legally available elsewhere, and the frustration that can cause.

Think Friday, think new music...

“New Music Fridays” are an opportunity for artists and labels to maximise awareness of newly-released music. Whatever country they are in, fans will now know – Friday is not just the start of the weekend - it’s the day for new music. This can help create more excitement and a sense of occasion around the release of new albums and singles.

With just one month to go before “New Music Fridays” takes effect, today sees the unveiling of the “New Music Fridays” brand that will accompany the move. It will be available in more than 10 languages worldwide.
Consumers looking for information on the switch to a Friday release day can visit www.newmusicfridays.com which has all the details of the changes taking place.

Switchover plan

The preparations for the switchover to “New Music Fridays” have involved record companies, distributors and retailers working together to reconfigure their supply chains and marketing practices. At the same time, music charts in some countries are changing so that they align with the new international release day.

The move to “New Music Fridays” will take place in more than 45 recorded music markets worldwide. Of these, 11 countries currently release music on Fridays, while the others will switch the day that new albums and singles become available.

When the global release day news first hit the streets, not everyone was as enthusiastic as the IFPI. "Indie music stores are naturally resistant to stupid music industry decisions," Chris Brown of Bull Moose told us. "This won't keep us from being the best places to buy music. I just want all the music fans and indie labels who are concerned to know we have their backs. We got this."

Brown is also a big reason why the bi-annual tradition of Record Store Day exists -- and if you've been keeping up, RSD has all but ignored New Music Fridays with their recent announcement of weekly Vinyl Tuesdays.

Do you care when new music is released? Are Fridays better for you, the music fan and consumer? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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