.png)
January 19, 2023
Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...
Read more
January 16, 2023
Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...
Read more
January 6, 2022
Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....
Read more
December 28, 2022
Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...
Read more
December 7, 2022
Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...
Read more.png)
October 4, 2022
In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...
Read more
October 5, 2022
Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...
Read more
October 17, 2022
Phoebe Bridgers is an American songwriter, singer, and producer who has, in recent years, gained mainstream recognition with the release of her sophomore album “Punisher” in 2020...
Read more
October 18, 2022
Steve Lacy is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and living proof that you don’t need the most advanced or high-tech studio equipment to create music that listeners will love...
Read more
August 31, 2022
For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals........
Read more.jpg)
August 19, 2022
One of the biggest questions many spaces face today is how blockchain technology may overhaul industry norms, and the music industry is no exception. In particular...
Read more
August 19, 2022
Snapchat has recently announced Snapchat Sounds Creator Fund, a monthly grant program of up to $100,000 awarded to independent artists distributing music on the platform...
Read more
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.
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.
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.
.png)
