Why do producers call their releases "EP" when they're obviously not EPs?

[Freezer]

This happens almost exclusively in electronic dance music, particularly techno and trance. Very often, producers refer to a standard release as an EP, but it’s actually a standard release with an A-side and a B-side or it could be considered a double A-side.

Historically, an EP represents something of an step between a maxi single and an album. The number of tracks are usually between 4 to 6 or even 8, and the total length is typically between 20 and 40 minutes.

Why does this keep happening, and what are the reasons behind it, when it’s clearly a bullshit??

 

[Julian Del Agranda]

Sounds cool right?

With just two tracks you could say it’s a single, with a b-side. But yeah, “extended play”, EP, sounds like a more important package than a single.

 

[Magdelayna]

I think 3 or more tracks is ok for an EP....but yeah,its just a 'cool' thing to put on for a producer,even if its 2 tracks..

 

[Jetflag]

I like to pretend I’m cool

fuck ya’ll allaya’ll

 

[Horizons]

Thanks to damn Spotify we're heading towards SP a.k.a. Short Play.

 

[tranceissomewhatalive]

This happens almost exclusively in electronic dance music, particularly techno and trance. Very often, producers refer to a standard release as an EP, but it’s actually a standard release with an A-side and a B-side or it could be considered a double A-side.

Historically, an EP represents something of an step between a maxi single and an album. The number of tracks are usually between 4 to 6 or even 8, and the total length is typically between 20 and 40 minutes.

Why does this keep happening, and what are the reasons behind it, when it’s clearly a bullshit??

Releases with two different tracks have been called EP on trance scene for ages, way before the "extended mix" fever for instance. You can find some examples from way back 2005 or so.

After all, for the digital release it makes no difference, which "a/b side" would you refer to for a WAV file, a side of what?