By Mia Hanuska
I recently received a record player, and have begun collecting the vinyls of all the albums I listen to most. I love my record player. Not only is the sound quality and acoustics of the speakers for my record player often better than simply streaming music, but it surprisingly motivates me to work; I feel weird playing a record while scrolling Instagram or watching a video. I’ve noticed it’s become a trend, or at least more popular, for Gen Z to have record players—I know many students my age who have one. So what’s up with record players?
Records, and their players, were first popularized in the 1950s and ‘60s, and allowed people to listen to their favorite albums from the comfort of their own home. However, the ‘80s and ‘90s saw the invention of cassette tapes and CDs, which led to the decline of vinyl records. Today, nearly everyone streams music from their digital devices, yet the record industry finds those aged 18-24 increasingly buying vinyls.
Many Gen Z listeners enjoy the break from digital life that records provide; they can be present with the music without the tie to a device. Moreover, unlike previous generations, Gen Z is actually listening to the records, not just collecting them. They regularly buy records, with one study showing that 76% of respondents buy records at least once a month. Plus, the idea of owning physical media has become more frequent among young people. Owning the physical vinyl provides a memorabilia piece while also being functional—it’s both decorative and useful.
Similarly, record collecting at in-person stores fosters communities with meaningful connections, bringing together an amalgamation of people with different lifestyles but one common interest: music. In the aforementioned study, over 57% expressed a desire for “more vinyl community events.” From personal experience, those who work at record stores often have a great knowledge of music, and are able to provide suggestions for similar bands or genres the customer may be interested in. Additionally, the vinyl community in stores and on social media provides an accessible access point for those interested in the culture; majority of those in the community are not snobs, and genuinely have a passion for vinyls that they are happy to share with interested people. Gen Z’s unparalleled love for music has resurrected the vinyl, with UK record sales increasing 10% in 2024. Music means something different to everyone, and records help facilitate immersive experiences with the media. As always, for those interested in records and buying a turntable, make sure to do proper research before making any purchases and try to invest in high-quality players. It’s official: records are back.