The Comeback of Vinyl and Vintage Culture

Vinyl was one of the most sought-after commodities for the public when pressed singles hit the market in the 1950s. Music technologies have shifted over the past few decades as accessibility became a priority for the average consumer. Record players became less common in the modern household as Bluetooth speakers became moulded into our living spaces. It is no surprise that vinyl has made a comeback within the last decade, initiating the possibility that CDs may also be making their way back into the hands of youth sooner than we think. Before you think of disposing of all those old CDs that have collected dust over the past few years (yes, even those old college mixtapes) - it might be wise to keep them just a bit longer. Here’s why. 

When I got my first record player, my parents gave me all their old 10” and 12” records that they had endlessly played when they were teenagers. I was beginning my collection with a set of records that brought back a sense of nostalgia to my parents. An endless range of icons such as The Beatles, Jackson Five, Bay City Rollers and Barry Manilow - all were now part of my history of record collecting. Sorting through the old records that have been stored away for years, and holding a piece of history physically in my hands was quite a surreal feeling. Running your fingers over the wear and tear of an original 1976 Blondie record, wondering where it’s been and who has listened to it, could keep my mind running all day. Flipping through my Dads stack of 45s and finding a single of “Beth” by KISS - he began telling me the story behind how he managed to score such a timeless record. As vinyl may help bring a feeling of nostalgia to those who grew up rifling through their families record collection or scoring a 50-cent single of the hottest band of the decade - why is the youth subculture of 2021 bringing back these nostalgic norms? 

Hanging your favourite albums on your wall, using them for decorative elements in your room and having milk crates filled with records dated older than you; is emerging as the new normal for the youth of 2021. The vintage aesthetic is a common reason as to why vinyl is making a rapid return into the music scene. I had a chance to speak to some of my friends about the comeback of vinyl and vintage culture - most of them said they collect records for the experience itself. Well, what could this mean? Records hold more meaning than just a conveniently numbered tracklist on the back of the sleeve. When you purchase a vinyl - either old or new - you are purchasing a musical experience. The experience begins by knowing you supported the artist more directly by purchasing the physical album of their work, unlike streaming services. Your eyes dance around the cover art breathing in all the little details an artist worked so hard to create, physically holding a project in your hands that a musician may have taken years to produce. Finally, placing down the needle and hearing the subtle scratches of the record as the first track begins to play, initiating the entire listening experience into a realistic one. When you put a record onto a turntable, your intention is to sit back and really listen to the music.  

Perhaps vinyl and vintage culture is reappearing to coin a nostalgic period, linking to a retro style and the simpler times of the “good old days.” The same idea is attached to CDs, a smaller compacted version of a record. However, in about ten years, it’s interesting to think that CDs will be considered part of that vintage aesthetic as well. Will teenagers and young adults be collecting CDs as much as vinyl records are purchased today? If so, you may as well dust off the stacks of discs that are sitting on your shelf and get ready for another comeback of music technologies. That Avril Lavigne CD from 2002 will come in handy when you want to remember how it felt listening to “Sk8ter Boi” with your best friends on a Friday night for the first time. 

There is a need and want for authenticity when listening to music. An authentic old school sound echoing through your room, whether it be “The Queen is Dead” (1986) album by The Smiths or the “Astroworld” (2018) album by Travis Scott - the sound is always better. Even though records can cost between $30-$50 each in a record shop today - we still buy them to show our support for the artist. Even though every song is readily available at your fingertips on Spotify and Apple Music, vinyl is constantly purchased despite the hefty price tag. Not to mention that any purchase of merchandise from the artist is going to help them more personally through their career. When a new album drops and I hear someone say, “I need this on vinyl,” it’s not usually for the cool factor that records are attached with but it’s for the authentic listening experience. 

When an artist releases a new album, it has become accustomed that they also release copies of the project on Vinyl as part of their merchandise. They do this knowing that their listeners may want to actually own the product that they created. When you purchase a record, you are the owner of the project - when you stream an album on a streaming service, you don’t own anything. You lose that intimate connection with the artist and perhaps even the music itself. This factor gives the user a sense of ownership and involvement with the artist. Nothing can beat the feeling of watching a record spin on the turntable while the sound of your favourite tracks echo through your intimate space. 

Vintage culture is making a comeback within the music scene for this exact reason - people want to feel connected to the sound that encapsulates the original culture of music again. The comeback of vinyl is a way of connecting an intimate piece of work with one’s own intimate space. As you may be shuffling through your parents, or grandparents old stacks of vinyls from the 1970s - listen to the stories that come with each piece. As each sleeve patterned with recognizable figures and colourful bursts of energy coins a nostalgic feeling that we don’t ever want to lose.