Why vinyl is insanely popular again? Records make a HUGE revival.

Imagine coming home after a long day, making yourself a drink, sitting comfortably in your chair, and listening to one of your favorite recordings. It took you a long time to find this perfect album, and now you can finally enjoy it. Just imagine how you open the sleeve, slide out your new record and give it a listen. The sound of the needle dropping. You hear some light static from surface noise and static. Then your music begins to play.

This is an exceptional experience. You have to push through the crackling sounds, listen to the lyrics carefully, and pay all of your attention to your favorite music.

Before, vinyl records were the only way for people to hear music. Today, it’s a lot easier and a lot more accessible with digital downloads and streaming subscriptions. But in some ways, listening to music has lost its charm.

In the early 2000s, everyone forgot about vinyl records. They were collecting dust on shelves and in our memories. But suddenly, something happened. In 2008, music stores worldwide started celebrating “Record Store Day  “That year, everything started changing for vinyl music records.

In 2020, vinyl record sales reached a record high, surpassing CD sales for the first time since 1986. And now, there’s more and more buzz created around it.

If that doesn’t convince you, what if I tell you that vinyl made it back into the world of musicians? You can’t even imagine how many DJs worldwide use only vinyl records to make music. This becomes a real fetish and starts getting out of hand. 

Independent labels that had never stopped pressing vinyl quickly understood what was happening and felt the need for a new era of short-run vinyl pressing services. As a result, new vinyl manufacturing plants continue to pop up. Some recommissioning Soviet-era record presses to help meet the growing demand.

But where did the vinyl record originate? Suddenly, it turns out vinyl has a scientific and historical background. 

Once upon a time, in 1857, there was a brilliant French inventor named Edouard-Leon Scott. He created a special device that utilized a vibrating pen that graphically represented sounds onto small paper discs. This device was known as a Phonautograph, and it was primarily created to help us get a better understanding of the characteristics of sound. However, things got interesting in more than twenty years when Thomas Edison began showing an interest in this device. 

In 1878, Edison worked on his two most popular devices, the telephone and telegraph. In the meantime, he invented the phonograph. This machine was capable of replaying the sounds that it recorded. The device utilized a stylus that was designed to cut grooves of sound onto cylinders and discs made of tinfoil. In June same year, in the North American Review, Edison wrote that he envisioned the “reproduction of music” as future use of the device, as well as dictation, education, and telling time (like a verbal clock)

  • A German-born US creator patented the very first vinyl record player. The gramophone was created by Emile Berliner. It had to be manually operated at 70 RPM and functioned by playing a rubber vulcanite disc, 7 inches in size, with tiny lateral grooves, cut into its exterior.
  • Over the next years, vinyl records had a lot of alterations and formatting changes until 1901. That year, the Victor Company released its Red Seal line, capable of playing vinyl records in the form of 10-inch, 78 RPM records. This was the most superior format for the first time in the last 47 years. 
  • Long Play records. Thanks to CBS, in 1948, the world found out about the first LP (Long Play) records. Created by Peter Goldmark, this record was 21 minutes long and 12 inches wide. This invention changed the face of the music industry to the album-centric format we all still abide by today. Just a bit later, RCA Victor introduced their own LP, which turned at 45 RPM and was just 7 inches in size. Since then, we have used these same record formats. 

Well, this was a long time before, and you might say we live in an age of subscription-based streaming, where access to all the music in the world is at our fingertips, and you will be right. But despite this, any music enthusiast will tell you that there’s still a growing movement of vinyl lovers who’d choose these records above anything else.

Obviously, this sounds weird and old-fashioned. But, today, streaming accounts for about 85 percent of music consumption. Moreover, you can play any song you want on your phone in a few seconds. So there’s a little chance that something might make you buy records. 

But let me tell you a few things that might change your mind. There’re some notable reasons why records are popular again:

  • Collectibility. Over time records become more and more valuable. Especially if we are talking about limited pressings or boxsets. Sometimes they can even double in value within a year. You buy it, for example, for $99, and then a year later, it is worth $200-$250 sealed in mint condition. 
  • Audio quality. Nothing will beat the sound of uncompressed analog vinyl records. Of course, it depends on the end-users setup on whether the full clarity is being heard. Still, even on the low end, you hear the music with much more clarity than the digital counterparts.
  • One cool thing about vinyl is that you can hold it. People still want to own and hold something tangible. They want to have something for the money they spent on it. This is an exceptional experience when you get the record yourself. You own it, listen to it, and add it to your collection. Many might think physical music is dead, but it is not.
  • The nostalgia feeling. I’d say that primarily the older generation can relate to this. But for some people, the pure nostalgia is what makes them look for new recordings and buy them. You just have to have it, and that’s it. 

The Fall of Vinyl

In 1979 was released the Sony Walkman. It changed everything.

Why? The name Walkman speaks for itself. This device allowed you to take music wherever you went – school, bus, walk, park – using revolutionary magnetic cassette technology, you could carry around your Walkman and listen to your favorite tracks without having to sit at home in front of the turntable.

On August 17th, 1982, the band ABBA received a very particular honor. At a factory not far from the city of Hanover in Germany, a CD of the band’s album The Visitors was pressed that day. And it was the first CD ever manufactured. 

After that, the CD was released and dominated the record industry. It was perfect. It allowed you to listen to 79 minutes of uninterrupted music. Unfortunately, it inevitably overshadowed the scratchy, crackly, overpriced vinyl option.

Cars were adapted to installing CD players in cars, so by the mid-90s, CDs were everywhere, and they’ve entirely dominated record sales. Then, in 1989, the Billboard made a report called “vinyl’s inevitable phase-out.” In April that same year, the US’s largest independent record plant stopped making vinyl after “what was seen as a gradual decline in market demand turned into a ‘swift and precipitous tailspin.’ 

As you can see it now, the world never stopped on CDs. Eventually, illegal music downloads crippled CD sales and soon were created Spotify, iTunes, iPods, etc. This way, streaming outsold physical copies of music altogether.

When they were just invented, it was claimed that “Digital CDs have several important advantages over conventional records. For one thing, there is no surface noise since the laser reads only the numbers, not any dust or grime on the disc’s laminated surface. Because nothing touches the disc, there is no wear. Digital records lack the distortion customarily found on LPs in loud passages and near the end of a side, when the sound is unnaturally compressed. The new players are designed to plug into conventional component systems, and the discs will be compatible with any player on the market.” 

Obviously, today it’s funny to read that paragraph. Vinyl records are still alive and extremely popular again, while CDs are losing their points. And you wanna know why? 

Sound quality.

The big resurgence. Vinyl fetish in electronic music

Since electronic music originated, vinyl has been the most natural medium for DJs and electronic music fans. The Bellville three, the techno music creation, it was the golden time for electronic music and vinyl records.

But since CD’s invention, vinyl has lost popularity for quite a long time. Then, the term “vinyl-only label” would have earned strange looks within the DJ community.

Despite this, though, in 2018, vinyl records made a huge comeback. In the second half of 2020, vinyl records outsold CDs in the US for the first time since the 1980s. Many vinyl fans will try to prove that its sound is much better. And they will be correct. 

Besides electro, now vinyl’s resurgence has spread beyond multiple niche genres. But even before this mainstream resurgence, the connection between vinyl and dance music was enormously strong. Stronger than with other genres. 

You can’t even imagine how many diggers, DJs, and labels out there are haunting down rare records, creating new music, and continuing the vinyl culture. 

But let’s discuss this step by step. 

What do you know about diggers?

Vinyl diggers

Have you ever heard the term Crate Digging? This one is used by DJs and collectors that check record stores, flea markets, or thrift shops for second-hand music on vinyl. 

For someone, it might sound boring, but for diggers, this is the art. They are obsessed with sniffing out killer records. It’s hard to understand, but once you find a sought-after record for 50 cents at a charity shop, this obsessive feeling will never leave you. Once a person feels that they start spending their spare time visiting new places hoping to find a haul of vinyl gold, it becomes a digger. Since then, there’s no way back. 

Anyone can become a digger. You just have to burn with passion for vinyl, have a deep knowledge of music styles (or at least one style) and time along with dedication to spend most of your time flicking through the dusty boxes of old records. Yet, they never lose an opportunity to find a new record. No matter where, in yard sales, car boot sales, flea markets, charity shops, and thrift stores. This addiction can even make them go to other towns and cities and ask locals about the secret record stores hidden in lock-ups, garages, shipping containers, or former record distribution warehouses. And sometimes, they uncover something truly rare. 

Originally, crate-digging became popular because DJs and hip-hop producers needed new unheard sounds for new mixes and tracks. This is a whole old/new world of sounds out there that virtually no one had heard or remembered, which is a lot better for making music instead of booking studio time to record new melodies and new beats. 

Crate digging is a culture. Some describe it as a hunt for the DNA of a popular song you’re in love with. You’re basically addicted to origins. 

Nowadays it’s back again and more popular than ever. 

Top DJs using vinyl

Since the 1930s, when “disk jockeys” just became a thing, vinyl records became a mainstay of the industry. Vinyl records were regularly used in DJs performances. 

Even now, almost a hundred years after, DJing with vinyl records is still regarded by many as the proper method of DJing. Yes, it’s not common, as it requires real professionalism and money. Only the most experienced DJs have the time and funds necessary to master this art. But once they master it, they say, “you won’t catch them DEAD spinning a CD or an MP3 at a party,” and they prefer spending money for the high-quality record than playing a CD that sounds much worse. Yes, vinyl is expensive, but it’s worth it. 

DJing will never really get rid of vinyl records as a method of performing. Now it’s booming, even though the pressing plants can’t keep up with the demand. 

That’s why the prices are staying high and are hard to access. 

DJing with vinyl records is a huge trend now. So let me tell you a bit about the famous DJs who believe in vinyl’s power. 

Francesco del Garda   

This guy doesn’t care about the trends. He always values vinyl. While everyone was going digital, he always remained true to the roots. For him, “Searching for music has to be a pleasure.” He is obsessed with vinyl recordings. Over the last two decades, he’s collected the best electronic music records from the 90s until today. 

Many people call him a real maestro. His sets are a continuous and relentless rise and fall that mixed house, breakbeat, electro, and a bit of techno every so often. 

Noizar

A Ukrainian DJ, one of the residents of Kyiv’s Closer Club, he also owns the vinyl-only label Wicked Bass, on which he releases records from both Ukrainian and international talents and has run crazy parties since 2010. 

Noizar gained recognition for solo performances and performances with his friend and colleague Borys. His DJing style is called “sharp and groovy.” His talent brought the DJ touring worldwide, playing gigs in cities such as Tokyo, Berlin, Seoul, Paris, Tbilisi, and many more.

Jane Fitz

She is the veteran who “has been quietly reshaping the sound of British dancefloors for over two decades.”

Jane fell in love with vinyl Jane when she was a kid. She became a collector at the age of 10. That’s why we can claim she knows what underground club and vinyl culture are all about. 

Most people know her for her excellent track selections, profound and unique sound, and her style that’s constantly changing. Her music is an organic thing that almost breathes and lives. Her mixes are full of power and life; that’s why her art greatly influences people.

Best Record Stores for real fans

Since the remarkable resurgence of vinyl, independent record stores have also felt a big boom in popularity during the last years. Now, not only the strange-smelling old men are visiting these stores, but the younger crowd has also started exploring the world of music and vinyl. Music experts, collectors, DJs, and young people who only start learning things about vinyl invade these shops and start digging, looking for new records. 

After checking out every corner of their native cities, some people even go on Vinyl-themed vacations. So, if one day you decide to make one of these trips, here’s a list of top-4 record stores in the world. 

  1. Spillers Records – Cardiff, UK

The oldest record shop in the world. Spillers Records is a must-visit for every actual vinyl (and its history) admirer. Founded in 1894, it sold phonographs, wax cylinders, and shellac discs. Since then, the shop has changed its address, and now it’s within The Morgan Arcade and sells everything from metal to spoken word.

  1. Closer record store – Kyiv, Ukraine 

A small record store located in Kyiv, Ukraine. Closer sells/buys used records and cd’s as well as regularly gets fresh stuff. You’ll be happy with the variety of genres, both new and second hand records, nicely organized, with friendly and helpful staff and a cosy atmosphere. The store has a killer selection, and some visitors even claim that there they had the best digging experience of their lives. So if you need super high quality music, friendly vibes, and pure digger happiness, this is the right place.

  1. Amoeba Music, Los Angeles, California, USA

It’s proudly calling itself the world’s largest independent record store. Amoeba truly overwhelms you when you see it for the first time. There you can find an array of old and new records. Also, they sell videos, merch, and everything else. Some people claim that if you didn’t find something in this store, it probably doesn’t exist.

  1. The Flip Side – Dubai, UAE

Relatively new record store in Dubai, it was opened only 4 years ago. The Flip Side is Dubai’s only independent record store. While stocking a global selection, The Flip Side champions Arabic music and local labels and regularly hosts live music.

  1. Diskunion Club, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

This is a chain of record stores independently scattered throughout Japan. Spread over eight floors in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, it’s a unique place for anyone who wants to discover the world of new and second-hand Japanese indie, rock, prog, Latin, and punk. Diggers who hunt for metal, hip-hop, and jazz should also head to their Shibuya store.

Now, I’d like to draw your attention to online record stores.  

Even though many diggers prefer real record stores, there’s no need to forget about online ones. Our world is becoming increasingly “digital,” so we have to take advantage of that. There’re multiple websites as domains for crate-digging, including the music review database AllMusic, the streaming service Spotify, and others like:

  • Discogs. In general, Discogs began as a music database. Now Discogs is “a free online database and marketplace of music releases connecting collectors, sellers, and music fans around the world.” And it is every digger’s paradise. Here you can find a unique record for 8$ or see a 250$+ vinyl record from the 90s. And people buy them cause they are only going to cost more and more.
  • Deejay.de. This store is probably the best value in terms of the price of records and the cost of shipping. Also, their pre-order option and cancellation policy is super convenient. 

Bandcamp. This is not just a fantastic online record store but also a music community of passionate music lovers. They discover, connect, and support artists they love.

Record sales are growing.

People enjoy listening to vinyl again, and the sales are up. So, what does this all mean for the music industry and music sales? After all modern times of streaming music services, records are coming back. 

Again, we are now in the digital age. We’re surrounded with comfort. Everything around us is so convenient, from coffee to books. You can get anything you want with as little effort as you would like to put into it. You can press a button and have a digital copy of almost any book ever written. The same situation is with music. Just buy any album you want, and all of a sudden, you have a copy. Takes a few seconds. 

If we take a look at the data on the Midyear Report from Nielsen Music for 2020, the sales during a worldwide pandemic were up 45% compared to the previous year. This means not even a global pandemic can stop the growth of this category. 

Vinyl albums became more relevant not only because of the pandemic (when sales were extremely high) but because people are looking for more meaningful experiences in their everyday lives. And being stuck at home with vinyl records was not as bad. So if you haven’t experienced vinyl, I highly recommend going to a friend’s house or somewhere where you can sit and truly experience what vinyl has to offer. Just sit there, relax, and try to experience the music you’ve been listening to your whole life in its full. That will help you to understand what this is all about. Vinyl is coming back not only to collectors, and gains popularity among teenagers, but it continues the culture, livens up the music industry, especially electronic music. It becomes a real trend, an addiction, even some sort of a fetish for many musicians, who want to create new music.