An album or a record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks projected to be played in a specific set of order. If the album contains music, it is called a music album; if it contains a compilation, it is called a compilation album; etc. The two most common ways albums are distributed is through physical media distribution and Internet distribution. The album is distinguished from the single, which on vinyl records was a single song with another on the other or B side; on post-war vinyl these were easily distinguished as the discs were different physical sizes, and played at different speeds; 33⅓ revolutions per minute (rpm) for albums, which were more formally known as long-playing records or LPs. The distinction, and the term "album," has survived changes of format from vinyl to cassettes, CDs and other media.

Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album. If a pop or rock album contained tracks released separately as commercial singles, these were often traditionally placed in particular positions on the album.

A common configuration was to have the album led off by the second and third singles, followed by a ballad. The first single would lead off side 2. In the past many singles did not appear on albums, but others were part of an album released concurrently. Today, many commercial albums of music track characteristic one or more singles, which are released separately to radio, TV or the Internet as a way of promoting the album.

Albums have also been issued that are compilations of older tracks not originally released together, such as singles not originally found on albums, b-sides of singles, or incomplete "demo" recordings.