Beyond Vinyl: The Rising Tide of CDs, Cassettes, and a New Physical Media Renaissance
Vinyl records have unquestionably experienced a robust resurgence over the past decade, but recently, interest has expanded significantly to other physical music formats—CDs and especially cassettes are returning to shelves, collections, and conversations. At We Buy Records in Chicago, I've observed this firsthand, especially noticeable post-Covid around 2022.
Why the Renewed Interest?
The shift became clear when sellers would bring boxes of CDs or cassettes along with their vinyl, often just trying to clear space during a move or clean-out. Surprisingly, rather than ignoring these boxes, our customers eagerly requested to browse through them, often discovering hidden gems.
Who's Buying CDs and Cassettes?
Our customer base for CDs and cassettes is incredibly diverse:
Younger Buyers: Often adventurous, hunting for deep cuts across genres like rap, metal, punk, indie, and experimental sounds.
Older Customers: Usually prefer familiar classics, particularly classic rock, R&B, and jazz. These patrons frequently haven't fully embraced streaming technology, favoring tangible formats.
Why Prefer Physical Media?
Motivations vary widely, yet a common thread emerges—collectors deeply enjoy the tangible connection to their music. Common sentiments include:
Disliking algorithm-driven streaming recommendations.
Desire for control and autonomy in musical exploration.
Enjoyment of the physical interaction—liner notes, artwork, and track listings.
Price and Accessibility
An intriguing factor fueling this resurgence is the affordability of CDs and cassettes compared to vinyl. While vinyl prices have soared due to high demand and limited pressing capacities, CDs and cassettes currently offer accessible entry points for collectors and newcomers alike.
Infographics: What the Data Shows
Vinyl vs. CD Sales (2018–2025)
This trendline shows that vinyl sales continue to grow steadily, while CDs—after a major dip—are stabilizing and beginning to recover modestly.
Cassette Sales Growth (2018–2025)
Cassettes have seen an astonishing resurgence in the past few years. Once nearly extinct, they’re now projected to hit 600,000 sales annually by 2025.
Average Used Prices (2023)
Even as interest grows, CDs and cassettes remain dramatically more affordable than vinyl—making them attractive for younger collectors and casual fans alike.
Chris Hayes' "Siren Call" Theory
In Chris Hayes' excellent "Siren Call", he suggests physical media inherently encourages focused, immersive listening experiences. Handling a disc or tape, engaging with liner notes and artwork, amplifies our attentiveness, creating richer, more deliberate listening experiences.
The Future: A Broader Renaissance?
Looking ahead, the vinyl revival appears poised to merge with a broader physical media renaissance, encompassing CDs, tapes, and potentially physical formats for film and video. This evolution offers record shop owners and collectors alike exciting opportunities for deeper engagement.
Explore more:
Stay tuned—we're likely at the early stages of this fascinating cultural revival!
Citations: Vinyl vs. CD Sales (2018–2025)
Fig. 1 – Sales trends for vinyl and CDs from 2018 to projected 2025.
Source: RIAA, MusicWatch, Luminate, Billboard.
Cassette Sales Growth (2018–2025)
Fig. 2 – Annual cassette sales, showing dramatic growth over five years.
Source: Luminate 2023 Report, National Audio Company, RIAA.
Average Used Prices (2023)
Fig. 3 – Average used prices at record stores and online marketplaces.
Source: We Buy Records sales data, Discogs, eBay, Reverb LP.