Sales of vinyl LPs in the UK have reached the highest point since 1990 as the physical music market continues its revival.
According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), sales rose 11.7% to 5.9 million units, which increased for the 16th consecutive year.
Taylor Swift’s ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ became the best-selling LP. The Rolling Stones’ ‘Hackney Diamonds’ followed behind.
Additionally, cassette sales reached 100,000 for the fourth year in a row.
Despite over four-fifths of recorded music being listened to via streaming, vinyl has made a comeback, with fans viewing it as a collectible and saying it has better sound quality.
The BPI noted the popularity of independent record stores, as well as the rebirth of music chain HMV helped.
HMV (His Master’s Voice) re-opened on London’s Oxford Street in November following a four-year hiatus.
New releases took over the list of best-selling vinyl, with Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, and Lewis Capaldi also in the top 10.
Classic albums, as well as reissues, also performed well, including Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon (Live At Wembley 1974).’
Taylor Swift is one of best-selling, with three albums in the top 10, ‘1989,’ ‘Speak Now,’ and ‘Midnights.’
‘Speak Now’ and ‘1989’ are re-recordings, and part of a continuing campaign Taylor’s is undergoing to regain control of her work, following an investment company buying her masters in 2019.
Last year, she said, “I’ve been recording my first six albums because there was a thing that happened where I had wanted to own my work of my first six albums when I changed record labels.”
“My first six albums were actually sold away from me and so I decided, I just figured if I made them the first time I can make them again.”
Andy Smithson, a massive fan of vinyl, still has his 1979 Technics player, and says it remains “in perfect condition.” He says he is drawn by the “visual aspect” of records.
“If the music is rubbish, you’re still left with a good piece of artwork. There’s nothing quite like a record in terms of quality. It’s a richer sound. Downloads just do not have the same appeal.”
See below the Top 10 best-selling vinyl albums of 2023:
- Taylor Swift – 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
- The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
- Lana Del Rey – Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
- Taylor Swift – Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
- Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
- Blur – The Ballad of Darren
- Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
- Taylor Swift – Midnights
- Olivia Rodrigo – Guts
- Lewis Capaldi – Broken by Desire to be Heaven Sent
The BPI revealed cassette sales were also rising after they died out in the early 1990s. They said the decline in CD sales has also started to slow, “plateauing” at 11 million units last year.
Take That’s ‘This Life’ became the top-selling CD of the year, and Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts’ was the best-selling cassette.
Vinyl records also outsold CDs for the first time in decades.
In 1990, Phil Collins’ ‘…But Seriously’ was the best-selling album. It was followed by Madonna’s ‘The Immaculate Collection.’
The third best-selling album was a live album by José Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. After that was ‘The Very Best of Elton John,’ followed by Michael Bolton’s ‘Soul Provider.’
BPI boss Dr. Jo Twist said, “Led by vinyl, the resurgence of physical product underlines the resilience of the UK music market at a time when streaming consumption continues to hit record levels.”
“Whilst LP sales have now been on an upward path for the past 16 years, it is encouraging to see a stabilisation in demand for CD, as well as new generations of music fans falling in love with the cassette. It is giving people more choice than ever in how they enjoy their favourite music.”
