stayc main image

WONHO: Rising Success After Departure From Monsta X

April 8, 2023

In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..

Read more
stayc main image

BMI’s Court Case Win Helps Songwriters in the Live Music Industry

April 1, 2023

Songwriters, composers, and publishers have long been underpaid when it comes to the live concert industry. However, a successful court case may be the first step to changing that.....

Read more
stayc main image

How Has Social Media and Music Platforms Influenced and Evolved Music Creators?

March 28, 2023

Society has always placed a high value on music. As technology starts to become more part of our lives, social media and music platforms have become more and more prominent in the music business....

Read more
stayc main image

The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Put The Spotlight On Songwriters

March 28, 2023

The Latin GRAMMY Awards are changing it up this year for songwriters! On March 21, 2023, The Latin Recording Academy released a press release announcing various additions and changes to the awards...

Read more
stayc main image

Meet NewJeans: The K-Pop Group Taking the World by Storm

March 22, 2023

Even if you haven't heard of NewJeans yet, there's a good chance you'll soon be humming along to their infectious tunes. The Korean pop group is quickly gaining international attention and breaking..

Read more
stayc main image

Max Martin: Why a Pop-Hit Songwriter and Producer Created a Musical

March 31, 2023

Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....

Read more
stayc main image

MANILA GREY: Vancouver's Rising R&B Duo

March 18, 2023

The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......

Read more
stayc main image

How did Miley Cyrus’ Heartbreak Song “Flowers” Break the Spotify Record?

March 17, 2023

The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....

Read more
stayc main image

Men I Trust: Canada’s DIY Indie Band That Could Be Your New Favourite

March 4, 2023

Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is

Read more
stayc main image

Basics For Building an At-Home Recording Studio

March 3, 2023

Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve

Read more
stayc main image

Facing the Music: Legal Challenges With AI and Copyright Laws

February 25, 2023

People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and

Read more
stayc main image

Tobias Jesso Jr.: GRAMMY-Winning Canadian Sells His Song Rights

February 23, 2023

Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece

Read more

Gen Z Retro Revival: Cassettes Are Making a Comeback—All Thanks to Taylor Swift

stayc main image

What's going on?

The 1980s and 1990s analog music medium known as cassette cassettes is experiencing an unanticipated comeback, with Gen Z spearheading the trend. Taylor Swift, who included cassettes in the release of her most recent album, The Life of a Showgirl, is mostly responsible for the spike.

Swift's cassette pre-orders are igniting renewed cultural interest, and cassette sales have increased significantly in recent years, so this is no nostalgic oddity. In an otherwise digital age, the format gives music lovers a tangible, reasonably priced opportunity to interact with music in person.

Why Gen Z Finds This Trend Very Appealing

Stylish Materiality amid an Overwhelming Digital Environment

Tactile music, such as that found on cassettes, can feel individualized and collectible in a world full of streaming. It's not just about consuming culture; it's about owning it.

Retro as Beauty, Not Feelings

It is now fashionable to feel nostalgic. Retro is becoming a cultural statement because to influences like Stranger Things, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Swift's calculated cassette releases.

Physical Merch Appeal That Is Easy to Access

For fans who want to support artists with tangible purchases, cassettes provide an affordable alternative to vinyl, which is frequently expensive. They combine sentiment, style, and price.

The Value of a Multi-Format Strategy

Swift demonstrates how a layered release may increase visibility and fan engagement across platforms by combining cassettes with vinyl and digital.

What Emerging Artists Can Take From This

Creative Insight

Your Possible Moves

Merge analog with digital

Consider offering limited-run cassettes or themed physical merch alongside your standard digital drops.

Use physical formats as art

Design cassette covers, liners, and promos that match your aesthetics—nostalgia with intent.

Create collectible moments

Label cassettes as “limited edition” or “fan club exclusive” to drive excitement and community.

Promote with tactile storytelling

Share unboxing moments, tape rewinds, or behind-the-scenes looks on TikTok and Reels to bridge old-school charm with modern reach.

In Conclusion

The resurgence of cassettes demonstrates the power of physical connections even in the era of streaming. Physical formats are not relics for Gen Z creators; rather, they offer doors to more genuine and in-depth fan interaction. A tiny number of cassettes can have a significant cultural impact.

Gen Z Retro Revival: Cassettes Are Making a Comeback—All Thanks to Taylor Swiftgen-z-retro-revival-cassettes-are-making-a-comeback--all-thanks-to-taylor-swiftZeina EzzatAug 23, 2025The 1980s and 1990s analog music medium known as cassette cassettes is experiencing an unanticipated comeback, with Gen Z spearheading the trend. Taylor Swift, who included cassettes in the release...