The day that all albums are release worldwide is to globally change to a Friday from 10 July, it has been announced.
After the news of the move was confirmed back in February, the IFPI have revealed that singles and albums will come out at the same time from Mondays in the UK to Fridays worldwide from 10 July - labelled as 'New Music Fridays'. The UK's Official Chart Show will now also take place on a Friday.
A number of independent labels and record stores hit out at the move. A joint statement from Rough Trade, Amoeba Music and the Association of Independent Music explained: "A move to a Friday would unfortunately entail additional costs for many in the industry. We believe that while these costs are easily calculable, tangible costs, the forecasted beneficial revenue effects of a Global Release Day are inconclusive and subject to a range of opinions.
"More and more global releases have been coming out on a Monday and the industry has proven that it can handle these with no additional cost."
Friday 10 July will now see Years & Years release their long-awaited debut Communion, while Sleaford Mods release Key Markets and Four Tet drops Morning/Evening among others.
