Vinyl versus streaming is the great music format debate of the 2020s — and it reveals a profound tension between nostalgia and convenience. Vinyl record sales have grown every year since 2006 in a remarkable cultural comeback, with young people driving much of the resurgence. Vinyl advocates argue that the warm analogue sound of a record player is genuinely superior to digital compression, that the ritual of handling a physical record creates a deeper connection with music, and that album artwork and liner notes are an essential part of the listening experience that streaming has eliminated. Streaming advocates point to instant access to 100 million songs, perfect audio quality on modern platforms, and the absurdity of paying £30 for a piece of plastic. Which format wins when music lovers vote honestly?
