Why Vinyl Records Are Making a Comeback

In 2022, vinyl records surpassed CDs as the best-selling music physical format. This is the first time it has happened since 1987. Why the sudden shift? Why did a medium that was kept around mostly because of nostalgia and novelty now take back its place at the top?

Invented in 1948, vinyl records became the definitive way of listening to music in just a couple of years and stayed that way for decades. With the invention of cassette tapes, they gradually became less and less popular.

Cassettes were just smaller and more convenient, which contributed to their popularity. Vinyl stayed around but the glory days were long gone. With the invention of the internet, then streaming, physical media in general took a backseat for a long time. A few enthusiasts and audiophiles still preferred the warm sound of the vinyl to the alternatives.

This community kept the medium alive and even somewhat directly caused the vinyl revival. The bigger cover art that you can display at your home, the joy of going to a record store to talk about music and hunting rare second-hand vinyl records as a hobby all contributed to the recent comeback.

They are still less popular than streaming but are widely considered to be the most involved and interesting way of listening to music.

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[HeyThereItsEnzo]

As a Gen Xer I can say that streaming has helped me determine which new albums to buy. I can listen to dozens of albums via streaming services before deciding what to get. For me it's very important that I can listen and enjoy a whole album before buying it, especially if you're investing in vinyls. Back in the 80s this wasn't possible, so enjoy the best of both worlds. Hope it sticks forever!

[recordtime]

Vinyl is one way that I choose to listen to music. I also listen to CDs, streaming services, and, yes, even tapes. I can listen to whatever I want on a streaming service but there’s something to be said for finding an album in my collection, being able to feel the album cover in my hands, opening the gatefold cover, dropping the needle on the record and playing side one then side two (the way the artist intended). It’s not “nostalgia” it’s a complete experience of listening. I’m not knocking the other methods of listening.

[akmmonirulislam]

I'm very happy to see young people are listening to Vinyl. I'm 64 now and never gave up vinyl in my life. Well, I listened to cassettes and CDs and mp3 files from my computer hard disk and USB drive but I'm a vinyl person. Thanks. Monir from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

[hawaiifiles]

The major problem I have with new vinyl records is that they are extremely expensive when compared to CDs today and vinyl from decades ago. I am glad I have a small collection of vinyl records I bought from back in the day when most records were under $10 new.

[scottcortez]

playing vinyl is like driving a dodge charger from 1970, it was cool in the 70's and cool now. digital is as fun as a rental electric scooter, it is convenient, will get you where you need to go, and you don't feel bad just leaving it anywhere, but it isn't cool. 'oh wow what a beautiful and impressive collection of digital files' said no one ever.

[analogkid]

I never stopped listening to my vinyl collection and have never stopped buying them.

[charleswilliams]

Records have been part of my life since I can remember, and it brings joy to my heart to know they're still around.

[BiserAngelov]

The vinyl is coming back, as a consequence of the loudness wars. Although vinyl cannot sound better, than a CD, it most definitely sound better than an over compressed, flat, remaster on CD.

[smallfaucet]

Another cool bit: lots of things not released on vinyl from the 90's are being released currently.

[lucalone]

The one and only reason why I started collecting vinyl records back in 2003 was because of the damn LOUDNESS WAR in the mastering of compact discs !!
And even 20 (!) years later, this damn LOUDNESS WAR is still not
If compact discs would be mastered as they were from '83-'86 I would have never ever bought a single vinyl record....

And you know why a vinyl record can't clip (just google audio clipping...) ???
Because if they would master vinyl records as loud as they do with compact discs the needle would always jump out of the groove !!

[leewightman]

They sound so good there's just something about the bass that hits different and the sounds richer

[travingalloverthemap]

This may seem weird but for me vinyl record is nostalgia even though I'm only in my 30s my grandmother had a vinyl record player. Unfortunately she passed away a long time ago but I still listen to vinyl and remember her I miss my grandmother.

[HalcyonRyan]

I like vinyl for having the big album art on my wall, the gorgeous pressings as i play a record and the intentional feel instead of just throwing on a playlist.

[Tigerona]

The draw is the art and the craft of music. Its not just buying music. Its tangible. Real, raw, more involved, makes you listen to an album the way the artist intended.

[tedlogan]

Not record collector but have distinct memories of using our families old turn table set up in the living room. What I remember most was how full the sound was coming out of the speakers and the little odd noises when putting one in (hiss, pop, crackle). Blew my little mind!
Tired of streaming subscriptions and digital. Leaning towards diving into the record world!

[InfectiousGroovePodcast]

Vinyl records are a big deal to me. I don't even bother with the argument of what format sounds best anymore. For me, I just love the size and physicality of vinyl records. I do a mix of streaming and vinyl listening at home. Both are enjoyable for different reasons but overall, I prefer the vinyl experience.

[lowenbad]

Vinyl never went away for me. I miss the early 2000’s when I could buy vinyl off ebay for $0.01 plus shipping.

[stevejones]

I play vinyl for the exercise. Getting up off my butt to flip the LP every 22 minutes has given me the body of a 20 year old Olympic swimmer.

[NerdyRed]

I'm super duper glad that vinyl came back I've always been an LP person