What does it mean when a song is soft release?

A soft release in music is a limited release of a song or album before the official release date. Soft releases give artists an ability to generate buzz and anticipation amongst fans. They can also be used as a way to test the waters and gauge the public's reaction to the new music. This practice is most common on platforms like streaming sites, social media and YouTube.

Advantages:

- Generating initial buzz and excitement among fans.

- Testing the waters to see how fans react.

- Receiving early feedback on the new music.

- Building up momentum leading to the official release date.

- Creating scarcity as some listeners may consider the soft release version as a limited edition.