Billie Eilish recently commented on artists’ wasteful habit of producing multiple versions of their vinyl records, which sparked a conversation online about artists like Taylor Swift who prioritize profit over protecting the environment. According to Billboard, Swift was responsible for 7% of all vinyl albums sold in the U.S in 2023, selling roughly 3.5 million albums.
It would make sense that physical media such as CDs and vinyls are less popular with the advancement of technology and streaming platforms, but vinyl records have actually grown increasingly popular throughout recent years, and artists are capitalizing off of it. CDs and records are usually sold in several versions–the artwork of the cover may be different, there may be an additional song, or the actual record may come in various colors. So there’s no real reason for artists to do this other than to sell more records by counting on their fans’ desire to collect every piece of merchandise from their favorite artist.
The environmental issue lies behind the way CDs and vinyls are produced. The process of producing the PVC compound used to make vinyls produces toxic wastewater, fumes, and chemicals into the environment. The blame cannot be solely placed on the artists, of course. Nobody forces fans to buy multiple copies of the same vinyl/CD–it’s a choice that we decide to make. The environment can only be saved if everyone makes a conscious effort.
So is streaming music the more ethical option? It’s hard to say. Streaming online media requires a significant amount of energy. According to Expressive Audio, “In order for you to stream a song, data has to be transmitted from a server farm to a more local access network by cables underground and under the sea, which also requires energy. When the song reaches your phone/tablet/laptop, it relies on a WiFi or other internet connection, as well as your device being charged – even more energy needed.” It’s also worth noting that playing CDs, vinyls, and cassettes requires energy.
Since neither option is consequence-free and artists are making money either way, it’s truly up to personal preference. While collecting records and CDs ensures that you’ll always have your favorite music around, nothing beats a good spotify playlist. It’s also easy for CDs/records to get damaged or lost, so streaming music is the safer bet. Paying for Apple Music or Spotify is also a much cheaper option than buying records and CDs anytime a new album comes out.
I’m of the opinion that it’s a lot more fun to have physical versions of your music, considering the fact that we don’t actually know what the future of the internet is and if things like our pictures, our notes, or our music will be saved throughout time. I also think that if you’re going to buy CDs and records, consume them responsibly by not purchasing every possible version of them!
