When Taylor Swift drops her upcoming album Life of a Showgirl in October, fans will be able to stream it on Spotify, buy it on vinyl, or even snag a copy on… cassette tape. Yes, the chunky plastic format from the ‘80s is making a comeback.
For many, cassettes are a relic of the past — once the dominant way to enjoy music before CDs and streaming took over. But against all odds, tapes are slipping back into the conversation.
Cassette Sales on the Rise
In 2023, music lovers in the US bought 436,400 cassette tapes, according to Luminate, an entertainment data company. That’s nowhere near the 440 million cassettes sold during their 1980s peak, but it’s a massive leap from just 80,720 sales in 2015. Clearly, tapes are far from dead.
While they haven’t reached vinyl’s massive resurgence, cassettes are attracting fans who crave a more personal, nostalgic connection to their music.
“People just like having something you can hold and keep, especially now when everything’s just a rented file on your phone,” explained Charlie Kaplan, owner of online store Tapehead City.
Kaplan believes cassettes deliver a unique listening experience — imperfect but immersive. “Flip it over, look at the art, listen all the way through. You connect with the music with more of your senses,” he told CNN.
The Rise of the “Super Fan”
A big driving force behind this revival is the so-called “super fan.” According to Luminate, these passionate listeners make up 18% of US music fans and support their favorite artists in multiple ways — from streaming and concerts to buying physical copies. On average, they spend $39 a month on music, more than double the typical fan.
Surprisingly, Gen Z is leading this trend. In fact, 9% of them bought a cassette in the past year. Top-selling artists like Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan are seeing strong cassette sales, proving it’s not just about nostalgia — it’s about creating a collectible experience.
Also Read: iPhone 17 Launch Event: Date, New Models, iOS 26, and Everything Apple Might Reveal
Why Younger Fans Love Old-School Tapes
Kori Fuerst, owner of retro tech store Retrospekt, says millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Y buyers make up the bulk of cassette customers. For them, tapes offer a break from the fast-paced streaming world.
“With a cassette tape, it’s not easy to skip around between songs,” Fuerst said. “You have to listen to the album all the way through, flip it halfway, and enjoy the music in a slower, more intentional way.”
This tangible interaction is exactly what today’s digital-first generation finds refreshing.
Streaming Still Rules, but Collectibles Matter
Of course, nobody’s giving up streaming. Instead, cassettes and other formats are becoming add-ons — like collectible merchandise.
“Fans are looking for a deeper connection to artists and their work, much like other forms of collectible artist merchandise,” explained Matt Bass, VP of data and research at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Even though RIAA stopped tracking cassettes separately back in 2008, sales of physical formats overall (vinyls, CDs, and cassettes combined) rose 5% to $2 billion in 2024. Clearly, there’s still a big appetite for owning music.
Taylor Swift’s Role in the Revival
Taylor Swift isn’t new to the cassette trend. In 2023, she sold 17,500 cassette copies of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) and 11,500 of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). Her decision to release Life of a Showgirl on tape only cements the format’s growing appeal.
Kaplan, who has watched the trend grow since opening Tapehead City nearly a decade ago, says today’s buyers are a mix of older fans reliving their childhoods and younger listeners just discovering the charm of cassettes.
“Just like Taylor Swift, tons of new music is coming out on cassette too, not just reissues,” he said. “It’s not just nostalgia anymore — it’s its own little scene.”
Final Note
Taylor Swift’s choice might surprise some, but for superfans and nostalgic collectors, it’s the perfect reminder that music isn’t just about sound — it’s about the experience.
💬 What about you — would you buy an album on cassette in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Don’t forget to check our article about Xiaomi YU7 Electric SUV Launched In China to Challenge Tesla Model Y, and Avatar: Fire and Ash Trailer Breakdown – 7 Details You Might Have Missed for more news.
