So, vinyl, the comeback is strong.
In a world where vinyl out-performed digital downloads in the UK last December, it is undoubtedly fair to say that the delicate discs are precipitately becoming progressively popular. Now, whether that is down to a love of music and the adoration for the whole physical process of being able to possess something so aesthetically beautiful or whether it is just down to millennials being sheep is down for discussion.
However, one thing I do know is that I bloody love vinyl! Yes – I’m aware that my collection is small; only consisting of 11 LPs and two 7”s, but that doesn’t prevent it from being one of my most prized possessions. My collection spans from old monumental classics to mainly current indie and rock.
My record player is a, somewhat embarrassingly, black and gold Crosley Cruiser – I know, the aesthetic! It was a Christmas present that I received a couple years back now as my parents could clearly see that I would give my life to own a record player. Along with this player came my first ever LP, Catfish and The Bottlemen’s ‘The Balcony’; I think I’m still yet to thank my sister for birthing my newly found hoarding hobby.
As my collection is minimal, I saw it fit to list it in its entirety:
Slaves – Take Control
- Frank Ocean – Blond (Black Friday Exclusive)
- Slaves – Take Control
- The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It on frosted vinyl
- FIDLAR – Too
- Jamie XX – In Colour
- Catfish and The Bottlemen – The Balcony / The Ride
- Biffy Clyro – Ellipsis
- Hozier – Hozier
- The Killers – Sam’s Town on limited edition picture disc LP
- Jamie T – Trick
- Bille Marten – Milk & Honey 7″
- Elvis – Unchained Melody/Softly, As I Leave You 7″ on white vinyl (Special Limited Edition)
Regarding my setup, in my uni halls of residence, I don’t really have room for some lavish display across my shelves so I tend to just have my record player sat on the shelf above where I sit at my desk with my vinyl collection tucked away under my desk in a dark tan GPO vinyl case.
For me, the artistry of the sleeves and the vinyl itself is one of the things I love most; it produces this sense of authenticity which a CD just can’t live up to. This paired with just the sheer euphoric experience of listening to a vinyl spin away at the side of you is the most peaceful position anyone could be in.
Vinyl should be a salient aspect of any music lover’s life, why can’t we go back to a time where you’d go purchase a vinyl from the local record store to then bike down to your mate’s house with the purchase in hand and play them something we knew they couldn’t miss out on?
My aim, for now, is to further my collection until I can build a house out of it and purchase, what I believe to be, all-time masterpieces to then cherish until the end of eternity.
