Within the last five years, a strange, refreshing resurgence has occurred in the music world. At some point, the record player quickly changed from a niche market item to a must have for any music lover. Because of the ever growing popularity of the “new” classic item, almost every album released is additionally sold as a vinyl pressing, highly demanded by audiences of any genre. The origin of the trend is hard to pinpoint, but it has shown no sign of fading from popularity within the near future, especially among teenagers and young adults. But what is the cause of this frenzy? The record player is something that remained obsolete following the innovation of CDs in the early 1970s (The first CD to be released in the US was the 1973 Bruce Springsteen Classic Born in the USA.) We live in a digital world, where almost anything we want can be accessed immediately at our fingertips. Music, of course, being a staple of digital media. Between smartphones, streaming sites, and music apps, it has never been easier to listen to any song you want, at any time. In theory, the trend sounds to be a regression in modern lifestyle. Turntables are bulky, expensive, stationary, and simple. Records on vinyl cost upwards of $20 each, and remain just as popular as free streaming. At this point, I am fairly certain my own vinyl collection is worth something of at least several hundred dollars and I would still consider myself rather stingy. So how did the record players make such an explosive return?

It’s quite possible that the aesthetic appeal is enough for some people to snap up their own records and turntables. The technology is as simple as it is beautiful, and it’s a great centerpiece for any room. For many others, however, the record players offer a benefit that is increasingly rare; tangibility. The experience element to record players is unlike any other when it comes to the way we enjoy our favorite music. The satisfaction of seeing a shiny, black new vinyl out of the package is mesmerizing in a peculiar way. When the needle is dropped onto the rotating disc, the sound produced seems clearer. Music straight off of the mono system is particularly pure and untouched, displaying a certain quality to it that can’t be described as anything other than comfort. Even more so, the dedication to every record on vinyl is far greater than any digital album. There is something special about an album when it is in such a physical form. Whether it’s an original pressing of my favorite classic rock albums, or a fresh vinyl from my new favorites, I can never have too many records. Every new record is like a child to me and I proudly display them as if they were trophies.

A person’s record collection often says more about their personality than someone could tell you themselves. Owning an album on vinyl means loving every second of every song, start to finish. This is the true test of devotion and makes it all the more worth it. No distractions, no interruptions—just music in its undiluted form. Perhaps we are a generation beginning to see the beauty of simplicity again.