Richie's new singles '24

I feel like if there was going to be an album it would have been mentioned in the press release. If he is truely doing it without a label, then digital only is much easier and if there is not going to be a physical release then releasing a song at a time will get for traction for each song. I would love there to be an album and a physical release, but I'm not convinced that's the direction he is going anymore.

Wasn't it the same with RSO?
If I remember correctly we first got the "EP" with 5 or 6 songs and a year or so later a full album followed.

We got 2 EPs then the album eventually. But the difference is they were signed to BMG the whole time. They had a label to deal with the mechanics of releasing a full album and physical products. As far as I can see Richie doesn't currently have that. Of course he could do it all himself (or his team could) but is it worth it? The press release states that he's not chasing chart positions or radio play, so to me the need for an album isn't there in this day and age, for an artist in Richie's position.

Could he just release it as streaming? I mean, difference is few songs in reality. If not, and if I could take a wild guess, I would say there's possibility that this is rushed somewhat (paradoxical to so many years of no output) to coincide with documentary.

Of course he could release an album via straming only, but you will get more traction (and press etc) to release a track at a time. If you release the whole album on streaming you basically have a few weeks window for promotion and then it will be forgotten. If you release say, 4 tracks now, 4 tracks in 2 months, 4 tracks 2 months after that, you can make the whole campaign stetch out for a year or more, depending on how many songs he has. It makes more sense in the long run to do it this way, but it depends what his goal is.

Whenever you see 'Artist - Topic' it's an auto generated video by YouTube when they've been sent a release with the track and official artwork. As it's not been claimed by a verified artist at the moment everything's disabled, otherwise YouTube would have to moderate it themselves...

Anyway, bored. Also, this is the actual artwork and this eyesight test thing literally reads 'I RS BON PRAY' - come on man...

Very happy that the new music is beginning to emerge. It's not what I expected, but at this point, I embrace it all.

I agree with this, I was just thinking does he have enough material for album? If he has, then rational thing in the end is to have all these "singles" combine towards album. If not, then "EP" or whatever, bundle of these releases will do. But to me, it makes more sense to release these songs in anticipation of album, even without record company contract and physical distribution

And now, I'm not convinced he has enough mixed and finalized material for album, otherwise the info about album release would also be logical yesterday?

I like this way of thinking. I mean, to be completely honest, I'm grateful Richie is still around, let alone making new music. And while I'm not in awe of this new song, I did send it to my best friend (who is avid fan of Alice in Chains and harder music in general) and he says it's a really good song with an obvious hook, much better than he anticipated.

Richie said that the album was finished over a year ago. I have no doubt there is enough for an album. We already heard clips of several songs from Norman's Rare Guitars YouTube page, and he even performed several live in London. There was also a playback at this show of several more songs from the album.

However, I still don't think we are getting an album at this point. But would be happy to be proven wrong.