Vinyl records are set to make a comeback

Recently, Sony announced plans to start making vinyl records again due to the resurgence of its demand amongst music listeners. Through their appreciation of vinyl, they’re able to experience the music in that way it was really intended, which is definitely not on your laptop speakers. So, it’s safe to say that as long as there are people who care about music and the way they consume it, vinyl records will continue to live on.

Whatever people may say or think, vinyl records are really cool. Not only do they sound better, but they’re also a really interesting piece of memorabilia. We currently live in an era that is becoming increasingly digital especially when it comes to the way people consume media. Movie theatres are being replaced by Netflix and torrents while physical copies of music are being replaced by online streaming services, MP3s and cheap iPhone earphones.

Twenty eight years ago, Sony declared vinyl records to be obsolete in favour of the newer, sleeker CDs. Over time, CDs became obsolete too in favour of MP3s. What this has led to is an entire generation of people who have never experienced listening to music in any way other than streaming in low-quality formats and don’t realize what they are missing out on. To put it simply, it’s like people watching videos in 240p when the option of watching the same video in 4k exists.

It wouldn’t be entirely wrong to suggest that most people don’t really care much for the experience or the quality offered by more traditional alternatives. However, music listeners all around the world are now turning to one of the oldest methods of listening to recorded music – vinyl records.

Recently, Sony announced plans to start making vinyl records again due to the resurgence of its demand amongst music listeners. There are many reasons why people like vinyl. Some people prefer the high-fidelity sound that it offers while other love the tangibility of the experience. With vinyl records, music listeners are able to experience the music along with its packaging a lot better.

More and more bands are releasing their albums on vinyl and several classic acts have begun reissuing their music as well. However, it’s safe to say that vinyl will never replace streaming. Streaming in many ways is the exact opposite of vinyl. It’s easy, accessible, inexpensive and convenient but at the same time, it is sometimes of questionable quality and does close to nothing to support the artist.

The fact that some people still prefer vinyl is actually interesting considering the advantages streaming offers. Logically, streaming makes more sense. However, music is not about logic. Music is not cold. It is as warm and emotive as analog. It’s this quality that makes people want to experience music better. Sure, sometimes this does lead to misplaced elitism, but these listeners have the right intentions.

Through their appreciation of vinyl, they’re able to experience the music in that way it was really intended, which is definitely not on your laptop speakers. People are starting to pay for music again and vinyl records are one of the ways that they are doing so. This enables more artist to make more music and for a variety of communities to exist.

Currently, there is a massive underground scene of musicians who release their music on cassette tapes, in 2017! So, it’s safe to say that as long as there are people who care about music and the way they consume it, vinyl records will continue to live on.

This article appeared in The Indigo XP, a concern of Asianet News Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd.