In a digital age where streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music dominate our consumption of audible content, vinyl records are re-emerging as a popular format with their intriguing collectibility and superior sound quality. As the global vinyl market is projected to increase in the years to come, it’s clear that this vinyl craze extends beyond nostalgia, but that certainly may play a factor.
For some numbers, the Vinyl Record Market , valued at USD 2.42 billion in 2025 is projected to reach USD 5.06 billion by 2032 with an 11.1% compound annual growth rate. Compared to other physical formats of music listening such as the cassette tape which has a CAGR of 2.9% for the forecast period 2023-2030, the vinyl’s projections truly demonstrate its attractiveness and competitive efforts among music markets.
In terms of sound quality, the popular verdict is that vinyls give off a warmer and fuller sound, and often produce that “360 degree sound” that is advertised on LP album covers. This is because of analog sound, something that puts vinyl in a class of its own. Analog sound means that the sound waves are recorded directly onto the record, preserving the intended sound of the music. Digital music is compressed and processed, which can result in a loss of detail and nuance. This creation of a more personal and intimate listening experience is why listeners are becoming more and more attracted to the format of vinyl once again.
Since June of 2024, indie stores have accounted for 40% of all vinyl album sales, showing how the hobby of record shopping has also re-emerged as a common pastime and way of getting physically immersed in the music experience. It could be an opportunity for artists to earn revenue in more substantial ways apart from merch and concerts. Vinyl sales have also shown popularity amongst the emerging and award winning artists in pop scenes, with artists like Tyler the Creator, Laufey, and Clairo hopping on the record trend and selling them officially on their websites.
Furthermore, the nostalgic appeal continues to be a prominent characteristic of vinyl popularity, with the “aesthetic” and “vintage” coveting of Gen Z shown in social media applications like Pinterest and Tiktok. With record players in bedroom décor videos to dorm walls covered in album covers, vinyl is a piece of rediscovery in the retro craze that is seen across industries from fashion and streetwear to interior design and home decor.
Now that technological development has practically eliminated the physical experience of listening to music, and everything is available with the tap of a finger, musiophiles find mindfulness and wellbeing in the process. Vinyl enthusiasts love the feeling of choosing a desired album (instead of the usual compilation of different songs in a playlist), taking the vinyl out of the sleeve, placing the record on the turntable and finally raising and lowering the tonearm resulting in a brief moment of scratchy grain followed by an immersion into stereo sound. Also, with records such as “The Beatles live at the Hollywood Bowl, or “The Lettermen…and Live!” listeners can experience the live atmosphere of a concert just as if they were there, but in a personal space like a bedroom or a living room.
In short, the vinyl boom is re-attracting not only long-time enthusiasts and collectors, but is also primarily being driven by Gen Z. Vinyl collection is now seen as a form of “digital detox” that many musiophiles search for in the current digital age.
So, will you hop on the vinyl craze in 2025?