In a world dominated by streaming platforms and music at the click of a button, the resurgence of physical media proves to be a surprising trend among young people. Many students at Hays High are rediscovering the joy of consuming music through vinyl records, CDs and cassettes rather than relying solely on digital forms of music.
While apps like Spotify and Apple Music provide users with accessibility and speed, they often lack the personal experiences that come from listening to physical media.
“I like listening to physical media because it forces you to experience the album from start to finish with no skips or distractions,” said senior Breckyn Wahlmeier.
Vinyl records have seen a significant increase in sales over the last 18 years. Many people enjoy buying secondhand records from thrift stores, while others purchase new records that are produced for modern artists. The physicality of the records themselves provide students that use this kind of media to have a deeper appreciation and connection with the music that they consume.
“Listening to records is like an event, you have to take time out of your day to just listen to the music,” said senior Cason Grezeszak. “You get to own it, touch it, feel it, see it – it’s yours. It’s a unique experience and records have a fuller and richer sound compared to streaming.”
While many students are enjoying music in the form of records, others enjoy listening to their music by way of compact discs, more commonly known as CDs.
These discs, while small in size, have a large influence on those who prefer tangible methods of listening to music. CDs are small enough to transport conveniently and are easily enjoyed in the car without the hassle of advertisements. They are also a great option for those who want to start a collection of physical media without the costliness of buying records. They allow for a carefully curated list of music and can even be personalized.
“I really enjoy listening to CDs because they are fun to collect and they are super nostalgic for me,” said senior Samara DeWitt. “I like to make personalized mixtapes by burning CDs for my friends as gifts. I think that it creates a very customized music listening experience and is more personal than just listening to music on your phone.”
Though digital media continues to dominate a large portion of the music world, the resurgence of physical media with students at Hays High serves as a reminder that many value music in its tangible form. This trend shows that music is best appreciated as an experience, not merely something to listen to.
