The resurgence of CDs mystifies me a bit. If you just want to own your music, surely digital files on your phone or laptop are more convenient. If you want the inconvenient intimacy of physical media and the cover art and liner notes, surely vinyl is more sumptuous and substantive.
Maybe it's used CDs, which are of course far less pricey than vinyl? Or is it new CDs that are on the upswing?
A bit of both used and new, and the main reason being: social media. TikTok in particular. Not only are CDs cheaper, but the equipment to play them is also cheaper, takes up less space, and requires less technical knowledge. A lot of school kids love showing off their CDs on TikTok reels. It's "a thing" now. I'm not on TikTok, and when someone told me about this phenomenon I was sceptical (for the same reasons as the ones you outlined, which make a lot of sense), but I then had a look, and what I saw left me speechless.
I think it's good news. Anything that means more people (especially young) are enjoying music in physical form will be celebrated by me. These schoolkids will, in a couple of years, move out of their parents' place, have more room and, when they start working, hopefully more money, which could perhaps pave the way for vinyl. I don't like to generalise but vinyl is more of a mature format. It's the opposite of plug and play. Some people need some time and life experience to truly appreciate it. Plus, unlike other vinyl lovers, I don't bash CDs. I think there's a time and place for them. There was a time in my life when I was obsessed with listening to records in the exact format that was dominant when that specific record was released (lol, I know). I don't do that anymore, but I did learn quite a bit about CDs and their specific qualities. I still prefer vinyl, but I can see the appeal.
I certainly remember the first CDs I ever bought. They felt magical, all shiny and sparkly and that irridescent rainbow shimmer on the silver surface. In some ways, CDs have the opposite magic from vinyl, which is all earthy and loamy and chocolately.
Exactly! Their compactness and that shimmer you described so well can be magical in their own unique way. The cleanliness of the sound as well, which some people find cold, but again, I think has its time and place.
Cleanliness of sound matters for some things, though. I'd never buy, say, 80s girl pop on vinyl, because that music was created to sound clean and sharp and... metallic in a shimmery CD kind of way.
The resurgence of CDs mystifies me a bit. If you just want to own your music, surely digital files on your phone or laptop are more convenient. If you want the inconvenient intimacy of physical media and the cover art and liner notes, surely vinyl is more sumptuous and substantive.
Maybe it's used CDs, which are of course far less pricey than vinyl? Or is it new CDs that are on the upswing?
A bit of both used and new, and the main reason being: social media. TikTok in particular. Not only are CDs cheaper, but the equipment to play them is also cheaper, takes up less space, and requires less technical knowledge. A lot of school kids love showing off their CDs on TikTok reels. It's "a thing" now. I'm not on TikTok, and when someone told me about this phenomenon I was sceptical (for the same reasons as the ones you outlined, which make a lot of sense), but I then had a look, and what I saw left me speechless.
well now, this is, as they say, an interesting plot twist. do you see this as good news or not, overall?
I think it's good news. Anything that means more people (especially young) are enjoying music in physical form will be celebrated by me. These schoolkids will, in a couple of years, move out of their parents' place, have more room and, when they start working, hopefully more money, which could perhaps pave the way for vinyl. I don't like to generalise but vinyl is more of a mature format. It's the opposite of plug and play. Some people need some time and life experience to truly appreciate it. Plus, unlike other vinyl lovers, I don't bash CDs. I think there's a time and place for them. There was a time in my life when I was obsessed with listening to records in the exact format that was dominant when that specific record was released (lol, I know). I don't do that anymore, but I did learn quite a bit about CDs and their specific qualities. I still prefer vinyl, but I can see the appeal.
I certainly remember the first CDs I ever bought. They felt magical, all shiny and sparkly and that irridescent rainbow shimmer on the silver surface. In some ways, CDs have the opposite magic from vinyl, which is all earthy and loamy and chocolately.
Exactly! Their compactness and that shimmer you described so well can be magical in their own unique way. The cleanliness of the sound as well, which some people find cold, but again, I think has its time and place.
Cleanliness of sound matters for some things, though. I'd never buy, say, 80s girl pop on vinyl, because that music was created to sound clean and sharp and... metallic in a shimmery CD kind of way.
Who knew the notional shopping basket could be so interesting?!
I know, right?!