The age of records continues to die as people transition to online music platforms such as Spotify and Pandora. Although the use of CDs and records has dropped, record and CD collecting have instead emerged as a fun hobby. Although the convenient online music streaming apps ran down vinyl and CDs, the enticingness of listening to a physical disk to play and listen to attracts collectors and music enthusiasts. New artists sell CDs and vinyls for their new albums for people to collect and listen to such as Taylor Swift and her new Midnights album.

Several records for sale in antique stores and record shops feature older music of various genres such as rock, rap and country music from the 20th century, which attracts people who grew up and lived during that time, as well as young people who love and prefer older music. The nostalgia and memories from music and people buying their favorite albums and songs physically continue to keep the record and CD business alive.

“I buy more CDs than vinyl because you can listen to CDs in more places. There are several stores around here I love to go to like CD warehouse, and the antique store in downtown Acworth. To me, CDs are more useful because of their price and size, and there are more ways to listen to them, but it does cost from their audio quality when they are played,” freshman Sophie Pegram said.

Different modern artists also help the industry by continuing to create physical CDs and vinyl and even adding hidden tracks only available on the physical disk of music. For example, Nirvana’s 1991 Nevermind album contains a “ghost track”, only available on vinyl, called “Endless, Nameless” which plays for around six minutes and 40 seconds.

“Records are so much better and nostalgic. I love the sound of an old record being played and the raspy sound that you hear. Records are so much more special to me and I feel a personal connection to my collection and seeing the disc physically play instead of a CD whose music is not as clear and hidden within the CD player. The sound quality from a record is superior to the CD and digital music,” magnet senior Maisey Wasulko said.

As the production of CDs and vinyl sedates, the prices continue to grow. The prices act as a downside to record collecting and CD collecting. If someone wants to buy two or three vinyls they will find themselves paying around 50 to 60 dollars for three vinyls, depending on how famous and the popularity of the albums.

Several record collectors don’t listen to the vinyl they collect, but instead use them as cool decorations for their rooms, to provide a retro and old aesthetic to their room. These types of record collectors look for records with original, intricate and interesting designs to stand out.