For years, streaming services have dominated the music industry, making millions of songs just a tap away. Spotify and Apple Music have made CDs and vinyl records seem outdated, pushing the medium into the background of music culture. In recent years, physical music has not only made a comeback, but has become the most profitable it has been since 1984, according to a report from the Recording Industry Association of America. If this growth continues, record stores and physical media may become a permanent and profitable part of the music industry, even if streaming dominates overall consumption. Many are asking whether this is just a temporary trend or a shift that could reshape the modern music industry.
This modern renaissance is largely due to younger listeners, those who have only ever known music through streaming services. What was once considered an outdated format has quickly become a way for listeners to express themselves and build a deeper connection to the music they love. For many, including WCHS sophomore Kai Walters, streaming is not entirely obsolete, but instead serves as a gateway to physical music.
“I first listen to albums on Spotify, then if I like the album or the band, I would buy the CD,” Walters said. “Then afterwards buy the CDs from thrift stores or used book stores.”
Physical music allows listeners to connect with albums in ways streaming cannot. Vinyl and CDs can be displayed, preserved and revisited at any time. Unlike digital files, which can be deleted or lost, a physical copy ensures the songs remain accessible forever. Listening to physical music also requires commitment. Especially with vinyl, someone cannot just press play and go on about their day. Listening to vinyl requires more intentional engagement than streaming, which changes how audiences experience full albums.
“Some advantages of physical music are that you actually own the music and can play it whenever you want, but the online streaming services can go down at any time,” Walters said.
While physical music allows for a more unique experience, there are aspects that streaming services were designed to address. Vinyl and CDs can be expensive, especially older or more sought-after albums. Finding a specific album often requires visiting multiple stores, and for those who are inexperienced, it can feel impossible. Despite the challenges the medium brings, the process alone can be rewarding, creating a sense of accomplishment that streaming cannot provide.
“Sometimes if you do not know where to shop, you can get roped into paying a higher price for a CD or record,” Walters said. “Often I cannot even find what I am looking for, but if you know where to shop, it can be an easy and affordable process.”
The resurgence of physical music is not limited to individuals. Record stores have noticed the influx of young people looking into vinyl and CDs as a way to experience music over streaming, and while some are drawn to the stores just as a means to get their music, others come for the community.
“I have been in the record business for about 15 years,” owner of Rock and Roll Graveyard record store Chris Wolfe said. “I started because music had always been a large part of my life, and I loved the community aspect of it. I wanted to create a space where people could discover music in a hands-on way and connect over that music.”
The renewed interest in physical music reflects a shift in how younger listeners view ownership. Many are looking for something more permanent than streaming, especially as more media becomes subscription-based.
“I think younger people are tired of everything being digital and temporary,” Wolfe said. “Streaming is convenient, but you do not actually own anything. Physical music feels more permanent and personal. There is also something cool about having album art, liner notes and a collection you can display.”
While streaming will remain dominant, the success of vinyl and CDs suggests that physical media is no longer a forgotten medium, but an important part of the modern music industry. Additionally, the in-store experience provides the opportunity to connect with others through music. In a digital era with little human interaction, this is more important than ever.
“In a store, you can flip through records and find something unexpected,” Wolfe said. “You might come in looking for one thing and leave with something completely different. Customers talk to each other and to us about what they are listening to. That does not happen with streaming.”
