This Is Why Vinyl Is Making A Comeback

 "The younger generation will never understand" Or will they?

Along with many other young adults who ride the line between Millennial and Gen-Z, I have recently found a fascination with vinyl records. Growing up in a time when you can stream any song imaginable in the snap of a finger has made music feel like less of the gift it once was. However, the decline in popularity of physical music makes me wonder how my kids will experience music.

Late 90's/early 00's babies like me are lucky enough to be only one generation removed from the days when vinyl was a main source of entertainment. That means we grew up hearing about it from our parents and seeing it in our grandparents' basement. Although it became obsolete before we were born, it wasn't entirely foreign to us.

In my opinion, that is part of the reason why it's starting to increase in popularity. We know that music wasn't always as easily accessible as it is now. We're bored of pulling out our phone and hitting shuffle, only to hear the same songs play again. And when we finally get that record player out of the basement (or make the decision to buy a fancy new one), we almost feel like we've transported back in time. Then, when we grab a few of dad's records that he's kept since '85, it immediately makes sense. There's a feeling of importance when handling a record. It's the physical form of music. An actual object. Not just bits of data floating from your smartphone to your earbuds. It requires input from the listeners when it's time to flip to side b. It's a level of involvement that young adults are searching for. 

But what about the sound quality? Surely today our music sounds much better, right? Not exactly. Another reason why young people are gravitating back toward vinyl is because it's a pure recording of the track. It hasn't been shared by the millions, losing little bits of information each time. Each record sounds as if you're hearing it being performed in the studio. If you have decent speakers hooked up to your record player, you'll quickly realize the depth and clarity of the sound you're hearing. 

Here in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, there's a place called Spectrum Record Lounge. It's a record lounge and bar and it ticks all the boxes of someone who enjoys anything vintage. My roommates and I went for a few drinks and to look at the records when we saw something interesting. A paper bag with the writing, "10 records for $5". Immediately I bought it and couldn't wait to get back to the house to see what I got. I made a video unboxing them with my roommates, and you can both see and hear the excitement in our voices (which may have been aided by the drinks). 

I find it so interesting that such a vintage activity can bring us the same joy it might have when our parents were our age. But it makes perfect sense. There's an element of mystery and excitement mixed with something so familiar - music. We don't get that anymore.. It's a good argument for physical music.

After making this video, it made me wonder about the future of vinyl music. Will my kids find the same fascination as I have with physical music? Or will they find a similar nostalgic excitement with music devices from today? One thing I know for sure is that I'm keeping all of the records I acquire for them. Just as my dad did for me.

Thanks for reading,

Sean