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When it comes to most types of technology, advancement is a one-way march headed forward, leaving old formats in the dust. For instance, very few people would choose to give up their smartphone for an old rotary landline or brick-like Nokia. But when it comes to music, progress isn't so linear. Yes, we've moved on from 8-tracks, cassettes, and even CDs to embrace a mostly-digital audio experience. But purists still swear by one of music's vintage formats: vinyl.
When the vinyl resurgence started gaining steam in the early 2000s, it may have seemed like a niche, hipster interest. But now, years later, it's fair to say that vinyl has legitimate staying power. In fact, vinyl records have seen increasing U.S. sales for 16 consecutive years, culminating in a massive 41.3 million LP and EP records sold in 2022 (per Statista). If anything, vinyl is becoming more and more popular as we advance into the 21st century.
And this surge of popularity isn't tied to nostalgia from retirees. The Conversation reports that Gen Z is the number one demographic snapping up vinyl, with most sales coming from current musical artists rather than throwback albums. So whether you're more likely to grab the newest Taylor Swift release or a classic Fleetwood Mac compilation, vinyl records are a perfect medium for music lovers of any age.
All that said, it can be intimidating to jump into the world of vinyl records for the first time. They may seem mysterious or hard to care for. But this timeless music format couldn't be more beginner-friendly. Here's what to do if you've been thinking about starting a vinyl collection of your own.
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