Over several decades, people have listened to music in several forms: CDs, radio, cassette tapes, iPods and now streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Despite the technological advances made over the years, a specific form of music survives amidst the digital era: vinyl records.

According to The Revolver Club, 59% of 18-24-year-olds are listening to physical music, and the vinyl market has been on an uptick for the past 16 years. The statistics are telling, but Gen Z has access to so much technology and streaming platforms, which begs the question – why vinyl?

Vinyl records became popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but they began to lose their appeal when portable listening devices were introduced; however, this might be the exact reason vinyl is popular among a generation that is “chronically online.”

Technology is connected to simple, daily activities. For Gen Z, vinyl records are an escape from the digital world— they allow people to indulge in music with a more sentimental, nostalgic approach.

In 2023, Edison Research conducted research on Gen Z’s media habits and found that Gen Z spends more time with music than the overall population. Gen Z listens to three hours and 43 minutes of music daily, which is an average of 40 minutes more than the rest of the population.

In a YouTube interview, radio broadcaster and music writer Alan Cross said, “[Gen Z is] extraordinarily ecumenical with their tastes. What we’re seeing is today’s music fans have no trouble mining different genres and mining different eras.”

Gen Z’s elaborate music palate correlates with the new appreciation the generation has toward older forms of music, specifically vinyl records. Vinyl records radiate a charming, vintage aesthetic, which easily attracts a generation that naturally gravitates toward activities like thrifting and antique shopping.

The beauty of vinyl resurging in a digital age is the enthusiasm and passion vinyl lovers bring to platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Users share their favorite vinyl purchases and their collections, while creating awareness for specific artists, genres and albums.

As Gen Z expands their vinyl collections, they also create innovative ways to use records as home décor. Many vinyl collectors create areas for a visually appealing storage space for records, while others display their records across the walls of their homes.

For those looking to create a collection, Victrola’s website gives helpful tips on how to properly create a collection, clean records, and how to choose a record player that’s most suitable for you.

Although Gen Z has access to Bluetooth devices and personalized suggestions from streaming services, the nostalgic charm that vinyl exudes is irresistible to our generation.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.