But that doesn't mean its popularity will wane. For several years now, the popularity of vinyl has been growing. In 2007, for example, the Global Trade Value of vinyl was around fifty-five million dollars. Five years later, it was one-hundred and seventy-one million. Why switch to vinyl? There are a bunch of reasons besides sound quality, which is a subject that's still hotly debated. Basically, it's all about how much a person values music, and what the act of playing music really means. It's undoubtedly something of an aesthetic statement too, and has very much become a form of vanity purchase. The rise in vinyl popularity is likely more connected to the aesthetic than the ritual. Sure, there are many genuine vinyl lovers out there, but the fact that vinyl can be purchased in popular high-street retailers like Urban Outfitters says everything. And like all fashion statements, there has to be an expiry date. The main problem is that vinyl is expensive. During an age when streaming services like Spotify are continuing to rise in popularity, and offering unlimited music per month for less than the price of a single record, the people buying vinyl as a fad simply won't last. With the recent release of Apple Music, then, it's likely vinyl has reached its growth peak. Those who have bought for vanity reasons are beginning to realise the financial investment is too great. Nevertheless, those that are genuinely enamoured with the form will keep the market relatively healthy and sustainable.
