Long before playlists and streaming services that fit in your pocket, music came with a needle, a turntable, and a little bit of patience. From the 1950s through the 1980s, vinyl records were the main way people listened to music, spinning in homes around the world. As cassette tapes, CD’s, and (later on) streaming took over, vinyl was labeled as outdated and somewhat impractical, fading from everyday use.
In a world full of Spotify Premium and unlimited skips, the return of vinyl raises a question: In a time when music is more accessible than ever, why have younger generations returned to the turntables?
For many students, vinyl offers a different way to experience music. Senior Tori Roderick believes that listening to records emphasizes intention rather than convenience when compared to streaming platforms. Her personal experience reflects a growing interest amongst students in taking time to engage deeper within music than treating it as background noise.
“Honestly, I feel like streaming— which is dominating the music industry now— it’s not really good of quality as sitting down with like, a cup of coffee and actually listening to the music, I feel like nothing really compares to that.”
However, not all students use vinyl in the same way. Senior Daniel Macedo Gomez said he does enjoy it as background noise.
“I don’t really listen to my vinyls all that much, like, I do but it’s only really when I’m cleaning my room or something and I need something to just not think about— I just want to be able to put it on and let it go”
Compared to the previous statement by Tori Roderick, a contrast can be seen which suggests that vinyl’s appeal is not limited to one type of listener. Whether used for intentional listening or background noise, records allow students to engage with music in a more flexible manner. Though listening to vinyl is one part, owning it is another.
Vinyl collecting has been noticeably tied to self-expression nowadays, as Senior Diya Bhandari believes that records often serve a decorative purpose as much as they serve a musical one.
“I feel like— from what I’ve seen at least— people only really collect vinyl to decorate their rooms or something. They’re definitely more for show, like to be aesthetic, but also I think that it can reflect on someone’s personality.”
For some students, vinyl records are just part of the aesthetic— something that fills a room and shows personality. For others, they’re meant to be played from side to side, all the way through.
Even those who collect for decor admit that they still listen, showing how vinyl has found a renewed place amongst younger generations. No matter how they are used, records offer a deeper connection to music and offer something that goes beyond just tapping a screen and skipping a song.
