The End Is Nigh, Buy Vinyl Today

In the age of streaming, why has owning vinyl regained popularity? It seems that more and more people are gravitating towards buying vinyl, or listening to vinyl in conjunction with streaming services, than ever before. Despite the simplicity and cost effectiveness of opening Spotify and listening to your favorite tune, the paradigm has shifted back to the golden years of owning physical media. 

Obviously, vinyl records have been in circulation for decades, the first one being introduced in the late 1940’s. Vinyl was groundbreaking technology at the time, but was eventually replaced with the portable CD. Then, music moved further into digitization in the form of streaming. However, if we’ve learned anything, it’s that history repeats itself. Vinyl has been resurrected as the trending media format. So much so that artists once again opt for vinyl releases, offering different color variants and special editions. But why the uptick? 

The rise in vinyl consumption can be attributed to the consumer’s desire to own something tangible. This ideal holds weight especially when considering lost media. Owning vinyl is an act of historical preservation. However it would be remiss not to mention the abstract feeling of being more connected to an artist or band when buying vinyl. Whether the record is taped on a wall, or delicately situated in a temperature controlled storage facility, the intent is the same; it’s an individual’s testament to their love for music and loyalty to an artist. 

On another note, scarcity is a potential motivation for owning vinyl. Some records are only pressed once, or are limited in quantity. This creates coveted vinyl releases, which in turn impacts the resale market. So, in that sense, it could be seen as a form of investment. As cool as it feels to be one of the few people that own a “Butcher Baby”, you’ve also made an astronomical profit. Of course like any market, there is some randomness. Who knows if in 20 years that indie band you love will take off and your 1st pressing will be worth anything? But, it’s a vestige of your past, a marker of the music you love. 

Whether it’s Lifers continuing their ever-growing collection, kids collecting vinyl as new-age décor, or hopeful record flippers, vinyl records have made their place in music history once again. Who knows? Maybe in a post-apocalyptic world, vinyl will hold monetary weight and we’ll trade records for food. So with that said, the end is nigh, buy vinyl today.