In a world streaming with digital music, the needle running along grooved plastic brings back the raw, authentic sound that your playlist has been missing.
Vinyl records have been a form of music since the early 1900s. While some people see it as simply as putting a disc on a record player, there is much more to it. Each vinyl record possesses a unique set of grooves etched into PVC which are the sound waves to the specific set of songs in an album. While the
use of vinyl music was most popular from the 1950s to the 1990s, it was shunned when compact discs made their way into the music industry. Compact discs were ultimately better during this time because they didn’t involve physical contact, while a common issue with vinyl records was the degradation of the PVC which resulted from repeated playing of the music. Then with the birth of the first iPod came a wave of changes that altered the way people listen to music forever.
People have always had the desire to try new things and living in a day and age where almost everything is electronic, people reflect on what the past was like which brought forth a fascination for vinyl music. The resurgence of record players has stemmed from people yearning for music that is high quality in the sound that it produces. While digital platforms have come a long way, music lovers believe that vinyl records produce a more immersive and rich experience. People may currently have an interest in vinyl music now due to the distinctive art that each vinyl casing displays and uses to catch viewers’ attention. Although vinyl records were a main source of music for a while, they still had to be bought. Back in the day vinyl records were cheap and affordable, but in the modern world, they can range from $20-40. With the inflation of vinyls and some being considered vintage, the resale value of both new and old vinyl records has increased drastically due to the artistic perspectives some see with the casing and different genres of music.
For some, vinyls may serve as a form of nostalgia, key pieces to a growing collection or as an escape from the continuous use of electronics. The recent increase in the use and sales of record players and vinyl records can bring different generations together and keep this tradition alive. The difference between vinyl records and digital music is the access. Digital music gives people millions of songs that they have access to at their fingertips and vinyl records involve more steps to obtain specific ones, while digital music is often free, vinyl records will involve more money.
With all this being said, will vinyls continue to be something that is around for years to come? Or will they go unnoticed once more and have a random gain in popularity? The revival of vinyl records has shown how it is more than just a trend but rather a symbol of timeless art and a prominent part in the shaping of music and how much it has improved.
