Albums are often themed, and may contain tracks that are related to each other in terms of style, mood, or subject matter. Albums may also include bonus tracks, which are tracks that are not included on the main album but are released with it.
The term "album" can also be used to refer to a collection of tracks that are not necessarily by the same artist. For example, a compilation album may feature tracks from a variety of artists, or a soundtrack album may feature tracks from a movie or TV show.
The history of the album dates back to the early days of recorded music. In the late 19th century, Emile Berliner invented the gramophone, which allowed for the mass production of phonograph records. This led to the development of the album as a way to organize and sell phonograph records.
In the early 20th century, albums became increasingly popular as a way to present a musician's work. Albums allowed musicians to present a larger body of work than was possible on a single phonograph record, and they also allowed musicians to control the sequencing of their tracks.
In the 1950s, the invention of the long-playing record (LP) led to a boom in the album market. LPs allowed for longer albums, and they also provided better sound quality than phonograph records.
In the 1980s, the introduction of the compact disc (CD) led to a decline in the album market. CDs were more portable than LPs, and they also provided better sound quality. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in vinyl records, and albums are again becoming popular as a way to present a musician's work.
Today, albums are released in a variety of formats, including CDs, vinyl records, and digital downloads. Albums can be purchased at record stores, online retailers, and streaming services.