Believe it or not: CDs are back to steal the spotlight from streaming

IOL News

5 days ago

Like vinyl records surging back into popularity over the past decade, CDs, which many believed had faded into obscurity, are once again capturing the interest of music enthusiasts across South Africa and beyond.
Image: Pexels/ Emine Canpolat
Believe it or not, but amidst the sprawling dominance of digital music platforms, compact discs (CDs) are experiencing a revival that seems almost conflicting in the age of streaming.
Like vinyl records surging back into popularity over the past decade, CDs, which many believed had faded into obscurity, are once again capturing the interest of music enthusiasts across South Africa and beyond.
Not so long ago, physical media formats felt like antiques of the past.
The rapid rise of smartphones and digital streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and YouTube Music led to a noticeable decline in CD sales.
Manufacturers even began to phase out CD drives from laptops and cars, further diminishing the physical format's relevance.
SA saw significant ramifications from this decline, with prominent music retail chains like Musica effectively closing the curtain on physical sales when it shut its doors for good in May 2021.
Adding a dash of intrigue to this unexpected revival was South African singer-songwriter Zonke, who took a bold step by releasing her latest album "Embo" on CD, USB, and vinyl in 2023.
Zonke's decision to release her album through these physical formats marked a deliberate return to an old-school approach that goes against the tide of widespread digital releases.
In a post on her social media, she expressed her desire to offer fans something tangible in a world saturated with ephemeral digital music.
'As we all know, digital platforms are crowded, and most people go there and drown because it's crowded,' Zonke articulated.
'Even the best music drowns there, so I felt that it's not a platform for me. My old music will stay there; however, for this album, I just want to try new things, even if those things are old these days.'
Her commitment to embracing the CD format was not merely a whimsical throwback, but rather a strategic decision stemming from the feedback collected at her concerts.
Many of her fans, who share her passion for collecting music and appreciating the finer details of album art and liner notes, echoed a desire for physical formats.
'So I wanted to try this old school way of doing things, going back to CDs,' she said.
So why the resurgence?
The nostalgia factor
For many, CDs represent a cherished part of their musical journey, with beautifully designed album covers and liner notes that were a staple of the listening experience.
The nostalgic allure of holding a physical piece of art has led fans to seek out new releases in CD form to relive the joy of collecting.
Additionally, music enthusiasts often share memories tied to their favourite albums while flipping through their CD collections, creating a shared experience that digital downloads simply cannot match.
The return to quality
Another critical factor in the resurgence of CDs is the audio quality that they offer. With the rise of lossy formats in the digital realm, many audiophiles are dissatisfied with the sound quality of streaming music.
CDs, on the other hand, boast a higher fidelity sound that appeals to those who desire a truly immersive listening experience.
As more artistically inclined musicians seek to cater to their dedicated fanbase, the emergence of limited edition and remastered albums on CD formats adds an enticing layer to this musical renaissance.
Vinyl's influence on consumer behaviour
Interestingly, the renewed interest in vinyl records has also played a crucial role in bringing CDs back into the limelight.
Just as vinyl records are celebrated for their analog warmth and distinct sound, CDs are being recognised for their own unique advantages - portability and durability, to name a few.
The comparison of these formats leads consumers to reconsider their preferences, creating a landscape where CDs stand shoulder to shoulder with their vinyl counterparts, each offering its unique charm.