Although anyone’s favorite song is only a click away on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, or other services, physical media in the music industry is making a significant comeback. Between 2023 and 2024, the sale of physical media, including CDs, and cassettes, rose by 105% (https://www.riaa.com/wp content/uploads/2025/03/RIAA-2024Year-End-Revenue-Report.pdf).

Research shows that this trend is most prominent among Generation (Gen) Z, which is an intriguing phenomena, since the bulk of this generation did not grow up with physical music-streaming media.

On top of that, this nostalgic trend seems to be unique to the music industry. After computers were invented, no one went back to using the typewriter—at least not so far. Once emailing was invented, the rate of delivering letters declined and continues to do so. Digitalization was meant for convenience, yet the generation that grew up with it prefers older technology for their music-listening experience. Furthermore, most of the generation wasn’t around when people frequently used CDs and records.

—

Studies suggest that the “re-emergence” is precisely due to an overly-digitalized world—one that becomes mentally exhausting. According to Vinyl Alliance, “61% of Gen Z survey respondents are likely or very likely to replace digital habits with vinyl listening to improve their mental well-being”(https://vinylalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gen-Z-Report-Preview.pdf).  Although anyone can listen to music via streaming services or physical media, it appears that the latter has a more grounding effect than the former. 

Some industries, such as the K-pop industry, still sell CDs as part of their merchandise. With the release of each new album, physical albums with photobooks, setlists, posters, and CDs always follow close by. These albums are a great source for CD collectors, but they also include other items that can be used for display. Similarly to K-pop albums, records are able to be displayed as well. Jasmine Moawad (10) describes that she “[has] some as decoration in [her] room.”

Vinyl collectors enjoy purchasing them for various reasons; Gen Z collectors view physical media as an enduring connection between themselves and the support for their favorite artists. Additionally, they enjoy the fact that the majority of the proceeds from albums go directly to the artist, while others enjoy the action of placing the CD or vinyl in the player. Isha Arya (10) describes her experience with CD players in this manner: “I like the experience of using CDs to listen to music because I feel like I can interact with my listening experience more.” Generally, many seem to view records and CDs as a more classical and intentional medium of listening to music.

–

However, environmental concerns and prices dissuade Gen Z from purchasing records and CDs. As an effect, overall sales of physical media decreased by 5.9%. According to the  RIAA’s 2025 mid-year report, vinyl sales decreased by only 1%, while CD sales decreased by a full 22% (https://www.riaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/RIAA-Mid-Year-Revenue-2025.pdf)

The reemergence of listening to music via physical media is largely due to Gen Z for numerous reasons, including over-digitalization of their world as well as a desire for a more hands-on listening experience. Even though the CD and vinyl were invented 40 years-ago and nearly a century ago, respectively, they are innovations that still receive love from new generations.