VINYL – Music or Fashion Statement?

Amongst a younger generation of jumper wearing, vintage bike riding, triangle loving ‘Hipsters’, comes the newfound appreciation for vinyl records. Owning a record player and stealing your mum and dad’s collection is almost like having the latest (or in their case, oldest) fashion accessories – for some. But for others, like nineteen year old vinyl enthusiast, Thomas Crudgington, it’s a different story. 

Collecting vinyl records has been a passion for Tom, as the sound of vinyl is something he has grown up to embrace due to his father’s love of a classic album, ‘My dad has a huge collection, I wouldn't have a hi fi to listen to the albums

if my dad didn't have one. He's always had them and has his days where he just sits down to put an album on.’

So what is it about vinyl records that he loves so much? He says, ‘It turns listening to music into an experience, rather than just a routine. It's immersive and the next best thing to hearing it live.’ 

The way in which music has been digitally revolutionised has had good and bad effects on the industry. From single sales shooting up to illegal downloads knocking it down. The sound quality however, remains with the vinyl, ‘The sound quality is a lot better, it has a richness that digital doesn't. Digital is compressed so it can be stored, vinyl is music - the way it's supposed to be heard.’

Image above: Tom cranking up the Coexist by The xx