Excellent points, both in your essay and in the comments. I think the tactile nature of vinyl also is overlooked. Streaming feeds us music out of context; when you have the vinyl (or even, gulp, the CD), you know exactly what you're listening to.
Great POV, Andy....but, along with the proposed streaming fatigue that might be surging the new generation's love and acceptance of vinyl....I was thinking: To many teens/young people, could streaming simply be a new acceptable way to lazily be fed songs "like" the ones they've already chosen, and have no issue with Spotify (or whomever) choosing what next they'd listen to?
Are many young 'uns more than happy to let the algo do the work of choosing listening options (because it's "too much work for me to do it!"), and collecting vinyl (as I've heard recently) just a status symbol exercise and/or something to look at/enjoy the feel of as they listen to their stream of choice?
I'd be interested, also, to hear what others think....I sense this could be a worthwhile debate, although I admit so much of the listening habits of "the kids these days" is a little (a lot?) out of my bailiwick!
As a Gen Z'er---you nailed it. In addition to what you said; buying records is an act of ownership, independence and expression. In a time where so many decisions are being simplified and outright made for us, it feels good to get back some control in our lives.
When I hit my fave record store, it's not all suburban dads in there with me. I'm often shoulder to shoulder with a Zoomer. Anecdotal for sure, but I'm hopeful it's part of a larger trend.
All great points, and it gives food for thought on the why behind rising vinyl sales and who is buying records. I feel fortunate because I live in a city with no shortage of record stores, but in all honesty, most people I see in them are adults. As a high school teacher, I know that some of my students buy records. Those students who know I collect records always enjoy talking to me about it. A few kids I teach are also excited about cassettes and even CDs (I don't get the cassette thing. I always thought tapes sounded inferior). But Spotify & Apple Music are still king with most teens in my classroom. When their Spotify Wrapped is announced, it becomes a hot topic in my classroom. These streaming platforms are popular not only because of their ease of having everything at their fingertips. But most teens I teach listen to songs rather than albums. And, let's be honest - records are not cheap (and quality control on newer records is suspect, at best)!
Hace poco, en una página de una red social que reúne a los amantes del rock progresivo (imaginen cuán lejos ha quedado la adolescencia de la mayoría de quienes participamos de esa página..jaja!), alguien decía que prefería mil veces refugiarse en su discoteca que someterse a la "dictadura del algoritmo " de ciertos sitios que difunden/atesoran/ promueven música. Parece que varias generaciones están participando de un sentimiento similar. Lo cual hace que Extrañé aún más mis visitas a HMV de Oxford St.! Abrazo!
I want very much to join you in this optimism, but I have yet to see any proof at all beyond personal ancedotes that suggests that young people are buying vinyl in any significant numbers. And particularly that young people buying classic vinyl, the important stuff.... I remain ever hopeful that someday someone will show me those numbers, but...
Excellent points, both in your essay and in the comments. I think the tactile nature of vinyl also is overlooked. Streaming feeds us music out of context; when you have the vinyl (or even, gulp, the CD), you know exactly what you're listening to.
Great POV, Andy....but, along with the proposed streaming fatigue that might be surging the new generation's love and acceptance of vinyl....I was thinking: To many teens/young people, could streaming simply be a new acceptable way to lazily be fed songs "like" the ones they've already chosen, and have no issue with Spotify (or whomever) choosing what next they'd listen to?
Are many young 'uns more than happy to let the algo do the work of choosing listening options (because it's "too much work for me to do it!"), and collecting vinyl (as I've heard recently) just a status symbol exercise and/or something to look at/enjoy the feel of as they listen to their stream of choice?
I'd be interested, also, to hear what others think....I sense this could be a worthwhile debate, although I admit so much of the listening habits of "the kids these days" is a little (a lot?) out of my bailiwick!
As a Gen Z'er---you nailed it. In addition to what you said; buying records is an act of ownership, independence and expression. In a time where so many decisions are being simplified and outright made for us, it feels good to get back some control in our lives.
Thanks for posting!
When I hit my fave record store, it's not all suburban dads in there with me. I'm often shoulder to shoulder with a Zoomer. Anecdotal for sure, but I'm hopeful it's part of a larger trend.
Terrestrial radio feels like it’s within this spectrum as well. I’m resistant to stream music while I drive, I want to connect to the broadcast.
All great points, and it gives food for thought on the why behind rising vinyl sales and who is buying records. I feel fortunate because I live in a city with no shortage of record stores, but in all honesty, most people I see in them are adults. As a high school teacher, I know that some of my students buy records. Those students who know I collect records always enjoy talking to me about it. A few kids I teach are also excited about cassettes and even CDs (I don't get the cassette thing. I always thought tapes sounded inferior). But Spotify & Apple Music are still king with most teens in my classroom. When their Spotify Wrapped is announced, it becomes a hot topic in my classroom. These streaming platforms are popular not only because of their ease of having everything at their fingertips. But most teens I teach listen to songs rather than albums. And, let's be honest - records are not cheap (and quality control on newer records is suspect, at best)!
Hace poco, en una página de una red social que reúne a los amantes del rock progresivo (imaginen cuán lejos ha quedado la adolescencia de la mayoría de quienes participamos de esa página..jaja!), alguien decía que prefería mil veces refugiarse en su discoteca que someterse a la "dictadura del algoritmo " de ciertos sitios que difunden/atesoran/ promueven música. Parece que varias generaciones están participando de un sentimiento similar. Lo cual hace que Extrañé aún más mis visitas a HMV de Oxford St.! Abrazo!
I want very much to join you in this optimism, but I have yet to see any proof at all beyond personal ancedotes that suggests that young people are buying vinyl in any significant numbers. And particularly that young people buying classic vinyl, the important stuff.... I remain ever hopeful that someday someone will show me those numbers, but...