Obviously, the rise/newfound popularity of vinyls in recent years has become a relatively talked about topic amongst the music industry yet CD sales and digital downloads have obviously been on the decline since 2013. However do you think that either of these could ever have a comeback even if it's minor? Or are just completely obsolete now.

Weren't CDs actually up this year? The press likes to avoid talking about CDs positively, I think because labels want to push positivity about vinyls as they're more expensive and will get them more money. There's a guy on "Now Spinning Magazine" who talks a lot about physical music and has called publications out for this for ages.

Nope can't see it ever happening other than a select minority with such a niche interest.

 

I think digital downloads could make a comeback with large price reductions, let's say 10p per song. Although it's very unlikely any platform will ever offer prices that low.

 

CD singles I believe have had a bit of a mini-comeback though with a lot of artists now selling CDs for their singles for fans. We've seen them make a decent difference to get songs to new peaks. Although chart rules were put in place so that signed CDs no longer count which is unfortunate.

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Envoirment

Weren't CDs actually up this year? The press likes to avoid talking about CDs positively, I think because labels want to push positivity about vinyls as they're more expensive and will get them more money. There's a guy on "Now Spinning Magazine" who talks a lot about physical music and has called publications out for this for ages.

Yeah I remember reading that more CDs were sold in the U.K. than vinyl last year, the revenue is just higher for the latter.

 

I'm sure CD singles will remain a niche / fanbase purchase but maybe more of those interested in physically owning music will be tempted to switch back from vinyl to CDs (or start collecting CDs) as the prices for the former are becoming a bit much - I know I've slowed down. It's good to see a mini comeback for CD singles, you could barely get any in the 2010s (outside of Germany / Japan etc.) but more are becoming available in the 2020s so far. But the track listing is often poor - e.g. the song and an instrumental version, not quite the same incentive as an exclusive b-side back in the day.

 

I'll have to keep an eye on charity shop prices - I've made the most of a charity shop near me selling CD singles for just 20p each at the moment, can sometimes be good 90s/00s stuff for my collection

I don't think there's as much of a place for downloads now - I personally like them as it keeps my iTunes library up to date and I prefer to own a copy of the music I enjoy in case it comes off streaming, but Spotify etc serve their purpose for most people and it's not like iPods and MP3 players are much of a thing now.

 

CDs I think could absolutely become more prominent again. The cheaper price point compared to vinyl will likely benefit it, and it still has some of the appeal of vinyl when it comes to owning a physical product, too. They'll never become as prominent as they once were but they're already the best value for money item and certainly what casual music fans would be most likely to buy if they want a physical product.

 

That said, I expect any increased mass market prominence for CDs will apply only to albums - I think CD singles are a thing of the past in that area of the market. They've been a niche item for years that can be deployed to help a song get #1 / top 10 / etc but I think it relies on having a fanbase, and selling them at a decent price point (99p singles sell conisderably better than anything more expensive).

I'm really getting into my CDs again. I'm glad I kept my CD player when I moved out many moons ago so it's helped get into it all again but I would like to improve my set up as the sound on my current one is a bit hollow. For now, I'm snapping up CDs from charity shops, Amazon and MusicMagpie but I'm being quite careful only buying ones I know I will actually stick with and listen to repeatedly. I bought Myles Smith's EP today as it's out this week but also Bicep's Isles which I've never owned physically (and it's never come down in price either). There's just something about owning that physical product for one's collection but also paying that bit more attention to that artist. As convenient as streaming is, it's empty and not paying the artist anything really.

 

As for CD singles I'll buy them if I REALLY like the song. I have a handful in my possession since restarting those in 2019. APT. might be my next purchase if it ever comes down from £2.99 (I'm stubborn so may never buy it lol).

 

Downloads are done with really. You only have to look at the iTunes chart to see how dynamic it is and things change so quickly. I do appreciate the nostalgia of it all though and once upon a time it was exciting to see the pre-orders and downloads shoot around every week.

If more effort gets put into CDs I could see them getting a lift. The price of vinyl is insane and only rising. So some who still enjoy the physical item, will switch.

don't think CDs (albums) ever left

CD sales are lower cos supermarket sales don't happen but still many CDs are bought every week

 

don't think downloads are ever coming back

I still buy CDs. Streaming feels like rental. I use it to find new music. Not to have a collection of music I love

It really depends on what the general mood is surrounding "owning" music.

 

 

Pretty sure you can download songs if you have Spotify premium so I don’t really get why people buy them individually. CD’s/Vinyl seem stuck where they are for the foreseeable future

Pretty sure you can download songs if you have Spotify premium so I don’t really get why people buy them individually. CD’s/Vinyl seem stuck where they are for the foreseeable future

It's only downloading for offline listening in the Spotify app. You don't get MP3 copies to do as you please with. If the song comes off Spotify, your offline download will go too.

It's only downloading for offline listening in the Spotify app. You don't get MP3 copies to do as you please with. If the song comes off Spotify, your offline download will go too.

 

Oh okay makes sense why people still buy them then