For the first time since 1989 Sony Music will be releasing vinyl records again, according to the BBC.
The new wave of vinyl pressings will begin in March 2018 at a Japanese factory outside of Tokyo. Due to a recent surge of interest in vinyl records and record players, Sony felt the need to join the niche market, the BBC reported. This year, vinyl revenue across the globe is expected to reach $1 billion "with many consumers swearing by its supposedly superior sound quality."
"The format has been saved by a resurgence in demand, as it attracts not only nostalgic older consumers, but also younger generations who have rediscovered records, especially in clubs and at music festivals," the BBC reported.
In 2016, vinyl sales hit a 25-year high, younger generations have embraced an urge for tangible musical formats. In some music markets, vinyl sales have actually surpassed digital sales. Retail stores such as Hot Topic and Urban Outfitters have helped lead the charge in making the old-time records easily accessible.
"Sony, which played a major part in killing off vinyl by developing CDs, has seen them replaced in turn by other music technology such as downloads and streaming, but vinyl is increasingly popular once again," the BBC reported.
The top-10 lists of vinyl records are an interesting mix of both classic and contemporary hits. Ed Sheeran's album "Divide" leads the charts but the runner-up is Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black." Also on the list is The Beatles' "Abbey Road" and "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd, according to the Independent.
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