Vinyl Is Forever

The magic of records is something that cannot be replicated by streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. There’s something about the quality vinyl provides that makes it stand apart from the more common way to listen to music. It’s more convenient to pull out your phone and play a favorite song, but that’s what makes listening to records a treat, it takes more effort.

I started collecting records when I was 13, and my sister bought my first two for me for Christmas. I got my record player and two albums on the same day: Imagine Dragons’ Night Visions and Queen’s Greatest Hits. That day, I almost wore them out because I listened to them so much and couldn’t get enough of the sound. Obviously, I was not born in the era when record players were more common, but there’s a level of nostalgia when I play my records that’s unexplainable to me. Though I don’t have as many records as I’d like, I’m growing my collection little by little each year. I’ve almost completed my set of Imagine Dragons albums and added some Linkin Park and Michael Jackson.

One of my favorite things to do is go to Barnes & Noble, Target, or any record store and browse through their selection. Though records can be expensive—ranging from $25 to $45 per album at most stores—I think when you have the means, it’s a worthwhile investment. That’s part of the reason why my collection is small; it’s hard to drop $25 on one album each time you want to buy one. I also love that most records feature intricate artwork or descriptions of each song, and some albums are customized to fit their themes. Details like those are what make records more captivating than music from your phone. Yes, you could always look up descriptions and artwork online, but that takes away from the experience. Part of the charm of vinyl is not needing your phone to listen to music. Even being able to say you're physically holding music in your hands is more enticing than streaming a song on your phone.

Vinyl isn’t just about listening to music, it’s about the experience it provides that digital music can’t replicate. From the warmth of the sound to the physical engagement, album artwork, and the sense of nostalgia, vinyl gives us a meaningful way to connect with music. Especially in a world where music is often just a click away, vinyl reminds us to slow down and savor the moment, so we can appreciate the artistry behind the sound.

My record player playing my newest album from Imagine Dragons, Origins for the first time. Leave some comments below of your favorite artists or if you have any of their records!