The pace of life is hectic in today’s digital world, and it’s a good idea to slow down once in a while and enjoy the simpler things that allow you to decompress. The hobby of collecting—filling a designated space with tangible objects that have meaning—is a tried and true method. And everyone knows that music soothes the savage beast. Music lovers can enjoy the best of both worlds with a record collection while learning about the past and creating memories for the future. Any vinyl enthusiast will tell you music just sounds better on vinyl—there’s a warmth that digital downloads simply can’t capture. Here are some reasons you should start filling your shelves with vinyl.

4 Reasons to Start a Record Collection

1. Learn About Music History

The best place to start when beginning any sort of collection? Go with what you like. If you’re into R&B music from the past 10 to 20 years, for example, stopping by a local vinyl shop and sifting through the crates will lead you to names and albums you haven’t heard from years past. It’s an exciting journey to see how these older acts influenced the ones you know and love today. As a result, you’ll learn about how genres develop over time, as well as which artists had the biggest impact.

2. Make Memories

Have you ever listened to a certain song that made you distinctly remember a year or moment in your life? Whether you bring your significant other to the record shop or show a new favorite song to your brother, you’ll create memories with them and define milestones through music. Inviting friends over to listen to records is an excellent way to bond and share experiences.

3. Find New Favorite Acts

While you may start off by collecting vinyl records you’ve already heard and loved, you’ll ultimately run out of existing favorites and start looking for new options. This is an excellent way for you to discover new artists and genres you may never have encountered. Whether you’re drawn to an artist’s name or the cover art, don’t hesitate to take a chance on a new pick.

4. The Joy of Discovery

The tangible appeal of a record collection starts in the record shop and continues at home. Spending an hour flipping through a wealth of LPs in crates, with other music lovers around you, is satisfying in a way that scrolling through a digital streaming platform can’t come close to duplicating. You’ll take your choices home, slip a record out of the sleeve and onto the turntable, and feel the history of the medium in your hand as the warm analog sounds transport you to another place.

Whether you’re enjoying the huge resurgence of vinyl records in today’s music industry or revisiting albums that touched your emotions in the past, listening in a more present way will do wonders for your ears and your mind.

If you’re looking to start a record collection of your own, stop by Alison’s Record Shop of Nashville, TN. This husband-and-wife-owned shop is proud to offer a wide variety of vinyl records, many of them hard to find, and they will help you explore the selection with enthusiasm. For more information about the store, visit the website. You can also call them at (615) 356-0180 to inquire about a specific record.