By Faith Skierkowski, Staff Writer
Way back when, when bands and artists released hits via vinyl records, people measured their collections in inches.
Very different to today’s society, where we have the ability to store millions of songs and albums on our devices with a click of a button.
Physically speaking, there was a certain amount of pride people put into their record collections, they were valued not just at cost, but with love for the artists they held on their shelf.
Within the last decade, vinyl records have made a remarkable comeback. Artists from Taylor Swift to Morgan Wallen have offered all of their newest releases and older albums in vinyl format.
This cultural phenomenon is not because of an increase in sound quality or even nostalgia, it’s due to a desire for a more authentic connection to a timeless immersive experience.
An interview with avid vinyl collector, Tyler Warren from Largo Florida states, “It’s neat how I can listen to all my favorite artists like Nas and Led Zeppelin without using modern technology.”
He elaborates more by expressing how he “enjoys hearing the static and pops that original vinyl’s have, but noticed newer albums keep this traditional aesthetic.”
This digital burnout is something that many are facing, therefore, they’re trading their thousand-dollar digital sound system for a $30 record player. This is mainly because people are valuing the authenticity of vinyl and are tired of the overload of technology. Every other week, there is a new product launching that makes it “easier” to do practically anything.
For instance, a company says “Oh, you need a new pair of sunglasses? Here is a pair that blocks out the sun, and you can take photographs, film, and research things by just looking through the lens.”
Not only has this shift allowed record stores stay in business, but it also allows new or veteran collectors to experience the thrill of hunting through a wall to ceiling record shop. This vinyl resurrection contributed to a mass generation of sales across the country.
In 2024, vinyl sales were up 6.2% with over 23 million records sold.
The vinyl community continues to see a rapid growth in prices per individual albums due to a high demand however, there is very limited space for manufacturing companies to produce high-quality vinyl’s since it takes specialized skills and labor to keep up with the trend.
Currently, anyone can buy a new record at any local Walmart, Target, or superstore where they can capture the rich and warmer sound that these synthetic pieces of pressed plastic have to offer.
This ability to return to our roots have continued to captivate the minds of the new youth and eventually proves that history comes back around in full swing.
