Overview:
Despite the rise of the streaming industry, many people, including a surprising number of young people, continue to prefer vinyl records.
By Gavin Schleich, Jackson Jupille, & Brett Roach through a collaboration with News Corps at CU Boulder’s College of Media, Communication and Information
In a world where everything is fast-paced and digitized, there has been a shocking revelation in the music industry, with many consumers reverting to vinyl records as their preferred way of listening to music.
For a time, it seemed vinyl would never return to its original glory when ease of access became a priority and music became available to consumers with the touch of a button. However, vinyl’s popularity has skyrocketed in the last decade, with the younger generations being the main contributors to its resurgence.
“It’s just a different experience than going to Spotify,” said one young woman on her way into Paradise Records in Boulder. Another added, “I like that I can get to own something physical, and it’s fun to put it on the little player and watch it spin.”
With so much hyper-connectivity to the digital world, youth are turning the tables on what it means to listen to music. Vinyl records are a breath of fresh air in what many consider to be a cycle of constant overstimulation and quick dopamine fixes that the younger generation encounters on a daily basis.
For 22-year-old college student Aidan Cauley, listening to vinyl records isn’t just about the music; it’s about the connection he feels to his family when he listens. When Cauley was growing up, his parents and grandparents loved to pull out their collection of favorite vinyls while telling stories about the music and the memories it brought them.
Last summer, Cauley’s parents got him his first turntable. Along with it came the very same records he remembers hearing as a kid, one of which was a special present from his grandfather, one of his favorite Eagles albums. To this day, that album holds a special place in his heart.
“The one that he gave me is probably still my favorite one that I have,” Cauley said. “It definitely has the most meaning to me.”
They christened the turntable together that day. After taking a moment to appreciate the art on the cover, they sat and listened with enthusiastic silence, both with an unbreakable smile on their faces, before sharing their favorite parts of their favorite songs. While they had always been close, Cauley felt a connection to his grandpa that he had never felt before, and a connection that remains strong to this day.
“I really think it was one of the best days of my life, or nothing really comes close. Now, whenever we call or I see him, I tell him all about the vinyls I’ve been listening to,” Cauley said. “It’s really cool to have that connection with him.”
Cauley’s newfound love for vinyl records has grown beyond the ties it holds with his family. The ritual that goes into the experience creates a space that reinforces being present with the music and he takes more time to get the most enjoyment out of the art, rather than rapidly shuffling through playlists of songs.
When he pulls a record out of its sleeve, he’s doing more than chasing a nostalgic feeling. It is a way for him to disconnect from the overstimulation of everyday life. With vinyl, there are no ads, no quick dopamine, just a connection to the music.
“Usually when I have friends over, when my roommate brings people over, they comment on it almost every time,” Cauley said. “Like, ‘Oh shit, you have a vinyl record.’ Then they’ll see the collection. They’re like, ‘Oh snap,’ and then they’ll go through it and see what bands they know and stuff like that. So it’s definitely the key part of the room.”
Turning Point
Vinyl has always been a well-established form of listening to music. While not as convenient as streaming services, it has stood the test of time as the best way to maximize listening potential through clear sound and a more physical connection to the music. For long-time collector Nom Oma, vinyl records offer much more than the sound.
“With vinyls you get a poster, you get a cover, you get a tangible vinyl that maybe is also a piece of art,” Oma said. “They could have it pressed in a specific pattern, maybe like a photo disc, and I think that something about that is just so much more satisfying.”
There is no doubt that streaming services have revolutionized the music industry. In 2008, Spotify changed the music industry landscape, introducing its service that allowed anyone to play music from their smartphones for free, supported by ads. Streaming services ultimately desensitized music, creating a disconnect between the art and the consumers.
“The digital is not completely reliable, realistically,” Oma said. “If the power goes out and the world ends, I can still listen to my vinyls.”
At a time when digital technology dominates nearly every aspect of life, younger generations are actively seeking ways to slow down, disconnect and reclaim tangible experiences. The resurgence of vinyl marks more than just a niche trend; it’s a reaction to the overwhelming effects of hyper-connectivity, AI-driven content consumption and the mental health crisis exacerbated by social media in the modern era.
Sound of Paradise
Vinyl’s success can be attributed to a surge of new adopters from younger generations, as well as long-standing, music-loving communities. According to Luminate Data, more than 224 million vinyl albums were sold between 2016 and 2023, with the amount of sales increasing each year.
When digging deeper into the data, it is worth noting that independent record stores accounted for 45% of total vinyl sales. According to the age breakdown of indie store buyers, 24% were 24 or younger, and 41% were under the age of 35.
A true testament to the resurgence of vinyl took place on April 12, Record Store Day, at Paradise Found Records, the focal point of Boulder’s music scene. Despite the cold morning, some fans pitched tents the night before, securing their spot for such an anticipated day. Others arrived as early as 3 a.m. to join the growing line that eventually filled the sidewalk at Pearl and 17th Street. When the store doors opened sharply at 7 a.m., fans began rummaging through, hoping to find special releases, rare pieces and discounted vinyl records from their favorite musicians.
“There’s a sense of community that exists in this store that’s hard to find in other places,” Paradise said. “Many people come in here just to talk music with us, without buying anything.” Not many things can bring generations of people together, but the shared love of vinyl consistently does.”
Enthusiasts are constantly going in and out of the local shop to meet fellow music lovers, find rare pieces, and take advantage of fair prices. Will Paradise, owner of Paradise Found Records, says the ritual of vinyl is “freaking cool.” He especially loves the excitement of finding a record from the ’50s or ’60s in mint condition.
“You’re talking about things that are 70 years old, and they sound amazing,” Paradise said. “A lot of these kids, their parents didn’t have vinyl. Their parents had CDs, so it’s like a different format for a lot of these younger kids than what their parents had and grew up with, so people are intrigued with it. It’s also tactile; it’s yours. You own it. You can look at it. You can feel it.”
When it comes to running a vinyl shop, Paradise takes joy in sharing the experience with others and putting a smile on their faces through a shared love of music.
“Our goal, as a business, is really to just make people happier through music, every single day,” Paradise said. “We try to make the experience as positive for people as possible.”
With help from the entire community, Paradise Found Records has become more than just a record store, as it’s a home for music lovers to come together and appreciate the art form of vinyl. People with different music tastes, from different backgrounds, and from different times, all brought together through the power of vinyl.
“The squeal of somebody who finds an album they’ve been looking for—they get so excited in the store, and everybody here feeds off of that,” Paradise said. “Cause we’re all vinyl geeks too.”
Check out the video version of this story on YouTube: The Analog Escape – Vinyl’s Comeback