Vinyl records have been around since 1877 and remained popular for the next century until they were replaced by cassette tapes, a more compact, portable, and convenient way to listen to music. However, with the second ever celebration of the annual Record Store Day in 2008 in California, music enthusiasts and artists around the world have united in support of independent record stores.
Why has vinyl continued to remain popular almost 15 years later? Despite the countless ways to listen to music today, vinyl records retain a timeless element that many audiophiles prefer over more convenient methods like using headphones and Spotify. It has been an ongoing debate ever since the rise of digital media, but vinyl fans argue that vinyl sounds better because it is not overly compressed, with the grooves of the record creating a more open sound that allows the instruments to be heard more clearly, therefore producing a more authentic sound than digital versions of music.
There is also the culture and feel of using vinyl that makes listening to music a more intimate experience. Even if you grew up with radio and iPods, the act of taking out a record from its sleeve, placing it on the platter and aligning the needle on the disc feels very nostalgic. Holding onto a physical album encourages appreciation for the music and bids the act of listening to it as the main event, creating a more personal experience.
Vinyl records have been around for over a century, and it is clear that they aren’t going out of style anytime soon. So whether you are shopping at Urban Outfitters or an old-fashioned record store, take time to sort through the shelves because you’ll certainly find something you like and gain a feeling of growing appreciation.