Music follows us everywhere; we hear it in our cars, in stores and restaurants, and while we walk around school. Before the era of the iPod and Spotify, however, picking and choosing your own preferred background playlist required a specific location and devices to function. About a century ago, vinyl records and the “LP” entered the global music scene. New megahit rock ‘n roll artists like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley dominated this new medium. Full albums could now be owned by an individual. As record stores populated with more genres and artists, so too did the shelves of collectors and music fans alike. Around 1947, just after World War 2, the first LP vinyl records changed the way we listen to music forever.
By 1979, the music industry had hit a stride, rapidly changing to create more availability for personalized music selections. The release of the Sony Walkman utterly usurped the dominant reign of the record player. Music fans could enjoy their favorites anywhere—what’s not to love? Of course, as the interests of the industry fluctuated, the popular medium transformed once more. In true rock-paper-scissors fashion, the CD killed the Walkman, the iPod killed the CD, and the streaming service killed the iPod. However, in the late 2000s, the unimaginable happened. The industry looked back—or rather, listeners looked back. In the comeback of the century, the vinyl record reclaimed its throne. While many find this return to vinyl inexplicable, I can’t help but believe that it makes perfect sense. As media continues to live on digital platforms, human beings long for a physical representation of their fandom and passions. Something tangible to show off their interests. Also, that incomparable sound of perfect imperfection in the scratches, song transitions, and even the dust on the cases offers an intrinsically personal connection to the songs.
Vinyl records cost a lot of money. That’s a huge barrier for many music fans, and an extremely valid criticism of the medium. But to me, the artificial underbelly of digital music can’t compare, and, while cheaper, CDs don’t signify the same analog bliss that vinyl records bring. Just last August, my aunts gifted me one of my late grandmother’s beat-up old records—an heirloom that literally speaks to you. Something about the feel of a vinyl record in your hands conveys so many feelings all at once, and dropping the needle reveals even more emotion. I adore my collection of vinyl records, and wholeheartedly believe that the physical mediums of music will always be the absolute best, no matter if you prefer CDs, records, or cassettes.