Move over, Spotify, Vinyl is making a comeback! Yep, those big black discs your parents, or even grandparents used to play are finding their way back onto turntables and into the hands of a whole new generation.
Over the past few years, record stores have been buzzing with new life. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), vinyl record sales have increased every year since 2007 and even took over CD sales for the first time since the 1980s. What was once considered outdated is now a trend embraced by music lovers, collectors, and even teens who were not alive when vinyl was the main way of listening to music. People are even collecting vinyl for their favorite artists from Taylor Swift and Harry Styles to classics like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles. Lana Sauer says, “I have never listened to vinyl or picked one up, but I can appreciate it. I like the concept and the vibes of using one, they are fascinating.” It is not just about music; it is about the whole vibe.
So why is vinyl back? For many, it is more than just music; it is about experience. Listening to a record is slower and more practical. You have to take the album out of its sleeve, carefully place it on the turn table, and drop the needle. There is no “skip” button, which means you actually listen to the album, the way the artist intended. I talked to a few students at Weir High School about their opinions, Jamie Bissett said, “It feels more personal. You are not just pressing play on your phone; you are part of the process.”
The artwork is another reason vinyl’s has become so popular again. Aubrie Cain says, “I love using my vinyl’s and hanging them up, I even switch them out every month to change it up. I always get compliments from my friends when they see them.” With vinyl covers large enough to display like posters, records are as much about visual art as they are about sound. Collectors love flipping through record bins at yard sales or even record stores to find unique designs or limited editions that you just cannot get online.
Even with all of the music available at the tap of a finger, vinyl proves that some things never go out of style. It is not just about nostalgia; it is about experience. Whether you are a longtime collector or a new fan dropping the needle for the first time, there is no denying it, vinyl is back and it is here to stay.
Written By: Faith Smith
