By: Katie Klemmensen
The generation that grew up surrounded by digital technology is now helping drive a resurgence in physical music.
In 2024, a survey conducted by the vinyl packaging firm, Key Production, found that 59% of respondents within the ages of 18 to 24 listen to physical music, compared older generations which reported between 40% to 45%.
For Gen Z vinyl collector Zane Frank, this growing interest comes as no surprise.
“Gen Z has an appreciation for things that last and are true to itself,” Frank said.
He believes young people value tangible experiences and meaningful connections, something he says can be found through physical media and the communities surrounding it.
MarQ Manner, manager of Homer’s Music, shares a similar perspective, saying Gen Z appreciates music “as much, if not more, than a lot of us ever did.”
He also enjoys the unpredictability of younger listeners’ musical interests.
“I can’t predict where the generation is gonna go with their taste, and that makes it really fun for me,” Manner said.
As digital technology continues to shape everyday life, some young listeners are turning to physical music as a way to disconnect.
A 2025 survey by the Vinyl Alliance, a non-profit organization that unites people across the record industry, found that 61% of Gen Z respondents would be likely to replace digital habits with vinyl listening to improve their mental well-being. Additionally, 50% said vinyl already provides a break from digital life, compared to 34% of Gen X respondents.
Beyond offering an escape from screens, physical music also creates opportunities for connection.
Record stores often host “listening parties” where fans gather to hear new albums before or upon their release. These events sometimes feature exclusive merchandise, including posters and stickers.
In their 2025 survey, Vinyl Alliance also found that 53% of Gen Z respondents express the want for more vinyl-based community events.
For a generation raised in the digital age, the growing interest in physical music suggests that convenience isn’t always what listeners are looking for. Sometimes, the comfort can be found in something they can hold on to.
