Vinyl revival: Is physical music making a comeback?

Vinyl records, CDs and cassettes are all experiencing a resurgence – some may have thought this was a trend but as time progresses it's clear that there's something deeper going on.

Streaming has made everything easier and more convenient, with skippable tracks and quick music discovery – but physical formats are a commitment to an album.

Small effort changes can alter the experience entirely.

Music News Blitz writer Bella Ford reports.

The need for physical

Younger generations were already born into digital technology, like streamed music and endless social media all in one place on their device.

These generations are now embracing the fact that physical media ‘feels more real’, and they use it as a ‘tangible escape’.

They also want something physical to show off as a collection.

For older generations physical music can be a way for them to tap back into the past, and to connect with earlier eras.

Fans are wanting to buy Vinyls and CDs because they want to support their favorite artists as it's considered as high value merchandise.

As a result, artists are looking at other ways to connect with their audience and are using physical music to do this, while streaming prioritizes convenience and no personal connection.

Vinyl records

Vinyl records are often the most obvious example of physical music.

Vinyl sales have grown since the mid-2000s, since 2016 sales have increased from 13.1 million to 49.6 million in 2023.

Younger generations have the appetite for vinyl, according to the Vinyl Alliance Study (via Muscially) – 50 percent say collecting vinyl “provides a break from digital life” while 61 percent say it’s to “improve mental wellbeing”.

There is a rise in people wanting to spend their downtime offline, even for a brief moment listening to vinyl without distractions feels deliberate.

Furthermore, a whopping 84 percent of fans go to record stores with an interest in “vinyl community events” in these spaces, further expanding music lovers' circles.

Fans are now loving the ritual of choosing a record, placing the needle, flipping the side over – it gives a sense of wellbeing and purpose to their everyday life.

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CDs and Cassettes

CDs and Cassettes have also had a massive impact on society recently.

The Guardian reported that John Lewis has upped its range of CD players to meet demand and sales are up 74 percent in the last year.

CD sales peaked in 2024 when fans bought 162 million in a year, and the biggest sellers were Scissor Sisters and Robbie Williams.

Neil Gibbons (the chief operating officer of Key Production Group, who manufactures vinyl, CDs and cassettes) said that “in the last 12 months, Gen Z have actually bought more CDs than Millenials, Gen X or baby boomers”.

“These purchases are done mainly online or in-store, such as record shops and high street stores, demonstrating that they are actively seeking these formats out,” he added.

Fans are buying physical music to keep on the shelf as a collection and to play when they wish, and artists are leaning into that fact by releasing more versions of physical music.

Taylor Swift released four different editions of ‘The Life As A Showgirl’ CD and at £12 they are less than half the price of the vinyl, so fans are opting for CDs.

Fans are leaning into the physical side more as it's not just music, it's a collection, a lifestyle and an offline hobby.

Physical media isn't replacing streaming or phones, but creating something special alongside them.

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