| BY ERIN ZILIS |
Like many trends in popular culture , a once passing fad is hot again .
Over the past decade , vinyl records have seen a steady resurgence in interest . The Recording Industry Association of America reports that the sale of vinyl records continued to rise in the first half of 2022 , with revenues from vinyl albums growing by 22 %, and the advent of “ Record Store Day ” has continued to contribute to the booming sales of the glossy black disc .
While some may point to nostalgia as the driving force behind this vinyl renaissance , a surprisingly large percentage of today ’ s buyers are under the age of 35 . This increased enthusiasm is echoed by today ’ s artists , as they continue to issue vinyl for newly released music . In fact , Harry Styles was the top-selling vinyl artist of 2022 . Worldwide , record labels have produced a steady stream of exclusives , special reissues , box sets and beautifully designed and packaged LPs .
So , what ' s behind this medium making such a huge comeback ?
DULCET TONES Vinyl enthusiasts believe the sound quality is superior to other forms of music . The depth and texture , not to mention the distinct crackling sound often heard , are appreciated by aficionados . A record can reproduce a sound that is as close as possible to the original recording — how the artist intended it — because it has more peaks and valleys than digitally compressed files , which can sound flat . “ You hear sounds that you maybe wouldn ' t notice if you were listening on Spotify or Apple , like an extra backup vocal or a little bass tone in the background ,” says Zack Wolfe , store manager at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and an avid collector of vinyl .
Many describe the music as having a warmness or richness not achieved by other formats . For some , the sound truly is nostalgic , reminiscent of a different era . As records are played , the vinyl will wear , leading to some changes in the sound , which means that , in a way , your record will be unique , which fans say is part of its charm . Audiophiles often search for original pressings of records that were made from the original tapes , especially of older music . Current pressings are often made from tapes that are several generations removed from the original , which can result in a loss of sound quality .
SPRING / SUMMER 2023 | SEA ISLAND LIFE 77 SPRING / SUMMER 2023 | SEA ISLAND LIFE 77