Music in Time: Vinyl Records

Vinyl records are taking back the spotlight and making its comeback from the retro archives. A passionate vinyl collector gives us insights on vinyl records and his thoughts on the current trend. 

Written by: Nada Safiyee

Photos by: Baljit Singh

“Putting on a record and kicking back and listening to it is an experience no app or online music shop will ever give you,” said Baljit Singh. The 29-year-old vinyl collector shares his passion for his collection. 

It was not until he was old enough to purchase a vinyl that started the collection. “Now that I have the means to fund this hobby, I decided to collect vinyls,” he said. 

Baljit mostly invests his money to old school hip-hop music for vinyl records. He also owns a limited edition vinyl from an early 2000s American rock band, The Black Keys. Some of his vinyl finds were from a record store in Japan. His collection grows throughout the years as he continues hunting for more.

Vinyl records has always been a small niche in the market mostly catering to vintage collectors or those who are into retro music. A few decades later and the internet has somehow managed to make what was once a small niche to now part of a trend. People are buying vinyl from their favourite artists to frame up on their wall.

Prior to this comeback, CD albums have always been fans favourite merchandise to purchase which makes up most of the percentage of CD sales.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), vinyls are outselling CDs for the first time since 1986. “I do think it might be a niche market (vinyl records) as we are too engrossed in the digital age where we want things now, fast and easy,” said the vinyl collector who is also a key account supervisor. 

Modern mainstream artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, etc, are taking this opportunity to produce their own vinyl as part of their album’s collection. 

“I think there is just an attraction to all things retro.” Baljit said. “And artists are beginning to realise that.”  

It seems as if the old is here to stay as the new future much like how we brought back polaroids into the scene. Even with music streaming services and CDs being available, people are now hunting down for vinyl records which explains the sight of stores carrying vinyl now more recently. Modern turntables are also being produced.

But a true vinyl collector like Baljit said: ”Vinyl is far more high-quality (compared to CDs). No audio data is lost when pressing a record. It sounds just as great as the producer or band intended.” 

Starting a vinyl collection is not easy. “As you know, it is an expensive hobby.” claims Singh. Vinyl record collecting is not as simple as stamp collecting. If you are thinking of starting a vinyl collection, here are some tips from Baljit himself, “Buy what you like. But also take chances and see what you’re attracted to. You’ll never know what you might find or what doors it might open for your ears.”. “Don’t jump on the bandwagon just because it is ‘cool’ to collect vinyls," he added. 

 By the looks of the data gathered by the RIAA, the future of vinyl looks promising. The past always lingers it’s way back to the present and create some form of trend. For vinyl, even if the current trend dies down, there will surely be a market for it that remains open for genuine vinyl record enthusiasts. 

“I believe it might just be a trend but the true fans of vinyl will definitely stick around,” said Singh.