CDs Make a Comeback as Gen Z Follows a Nostalgic Beat

A Rolling Stone piece notes a 16% rise in CD sales in the first half of 2026 (about 16.3 million units in the U.S.), outpacing vinyl's 2.4% growth and driven by Gen Z and millennial fans, with Korean pop like BTS’ Arirang bolstering demand. The trend reflects a desire for tactile, private, high-fidelity listening and nostalgia for the 90s-era era, as many young listeners focus on older music; vinyl’s slower production and higher cost for new releases also help CDs gain traction for deep listening and an untracked listening experience.