A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, when there were no streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, Music industry was dominated by Vinyl. in recent years, vinyl and the CD’s have been making an unexpected return. What is it about physical music that’s drawing people back, Is it nostalgia, aesthetics, sound quality or something else?
The Rise of Physical Music
The surge in sales of records and CDs have been attributed with numerous reasons starting from nostalgia up to being a collector’s item and for the necessity of experiencing a more participatory listener.
Jons – Hip-Hop musician and salesman at record shop Plaatboef, Utrecht:
“When you buy a record or CD, there is something to it, something which you can discover. You do not have the same on Spotify as reading the booklet that comes with an LP or CD. “
For others, though, it isn’t just about the music alone, but appearance and attitude.
Jons:
“When you have somebody in your home and you’ve got records, CD’s, and books, it breaks the ice. It tells you something. During COVID, we lost a lot of personal connection, and I think people started finding that again through music.“
The Pandemic’s Role in the Revival
The COVID-19 pandemic was a factor. Lockdowns were confining people to their homes for longer, so they were looking for new things to do and ways to improve their home lives.
Jons:
“Well, people were stuck at home and wanted to create a better atmosphere. A record player or a CD collection adds to that. With Spotify, you just click and move on, but with records and CDs, you engage more deeply with the music”
Why Gen Z is Buying More CDs Than Vinyl
While vinyl albums have been receiving all the hype, CDs are also experiencing their own revival among younger shoppers in particular.
Jerome 26, recently purchased CD Player and started his CD collection:
“I’ve got the CD Player because of nostalgic reasons. As a kid, I used to spend hours with my dad picking out CDs and ‘burning’ the songs onto a ‘master’ CD which we would take on road trips.”
Jons:
“The younger demographic is buying more CDs than vinyl because they’re cheaper. Records are not cheap, and it’s an expensive hobby to collect them.”
Though vinyl is expensive, CDs offer an affordable way of physical music ownership without breaking the bank.
The Cultural Shift Toward Physical Media
The resurgence of CDs and vinyl shows a broader cultural trend. Individuals are starved for real, tangible experiences when everything is virtual.
Jons:
“ People are naturally materialistic, we like owning things. music used to be something people really valued, and now people are rediscovering that. Instead of just consuming music like fast food, it’s becoming a hobby again.”
Jerome:
“Coming to Europe, I was enlightened to see the availability of CDs and players at an affordable cost.
Conclusion: Resilient Trend or Transient Nostalgia?
The return of vinyl and CDs is not merely about music itself, it is about identity, culture, and the way individuals connect with one another. From the aesthetic appeal to the enveloping quality of listening to the necessity of being free from digital saturation, physical music has shown that it has a place in the world today.
