An EP, short for extended play, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than a full-length album. EPs typically contain four to six tracks and are under 30 minutes in length. They are considered less expensive and time-consuming for an artist to produce than an album. EPs are often used as a way to introduce an artist to fans and to showcase their music without having to commit to a full-length debut album. They are also a great way to experiment with new ideas, as they are generally shorter and less expensive to produce. EPs can be released as prequels for upcoming albums, building awareness and excitement around the bigger project that is soon to come. In the United Kingdom, the Official Chart Company defines a boundary between EP and album classification at 25 minutes of maximum length and no more than four tracks (not counting alternative versions of featured songs, if present).