Dubai: Step aside, Spotify; why some Gen-Zers are opting for vinyl records over music streaming

Some of the Gen Z and millennials in the UAE are turning away from the ease of streaming their favourite songs to cherishing the tunes via vinyl records.

“It’s for the experience,” said Saif Sami, explaining why he collects vinyl records. “It’s nice to have some tangibility to music.”

Between him and his brother Samir, the 27-year-old Emirati owns around 60 records, joining a growing number of young people who are going old school when it comes to music.

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According to the founder of UAE record fair Vinyl Souk DXB, the practice is getting “more and more prominent because vinyl is becoming trendy”.

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“As music streaming services become the norm, more young people are looking to vinyl to find something different to listen to. They have become more inclined to dig through crates of records to find one that speaks to them,” said Jayesh Veralkar.

“It's great way to break those AI-based algorithms which are feeding you the same recommendations based on metadata,” the 40-year-old Indian expat said. “I’m not saying that vinyl will overtake digital formats, but they’re here to stay.”

An inherited legacy

According to Veralkar, many young record collectors inherit the habit from their parents. This was certainly the case for Sami, whose father’s extensive collection included everything from George Michael to Bollywood records.

Sami picked up the habit around 2010, when he was gifted a vinyl of Metallica’s album Master of Puppets. Then on, he would pick up a record or two every time he went to a store, slowly growing his collection.

“Me and my brother alone, we have everything from the Beatles, to the Beach Boys to Elvis,” he said.

Sami and his brother sometimes question whether they have too many records. But then they remember seeing family homes with walls of overflowing shelves of vinyl.

“We’re probably not the worst,” he said. “But we’re in the middle of the road for collectors.”

Vintage vibes

“I genuinely enjoy using the record player on weekends, when I’m cleaning the room or I’m enjoying a tarot-reading session with my friend online,” said Wajih El Bizri, a Lebanese expat in Dubai.

“It’s always nice letting it play in the background,” the 26-year-old said. He started collecting records around three years ago and now he has 20 of them. El Bizri mostly collects albums that have impacted his life, focusing on songs with lyrics that connects with him.

“Born This Way by Lady Gaga was one of the most inspirational albums that I’ve had in my life. She speaks a lot about accepting your identity and it holds a very special place in my heart,” El Bizri said.

“I didn’t have anybody to talk to while growing up. Just listening to that record used to make me feel less lonely.”

Apart from the deep meaning that it holds to him, El Bizri also enjoys displaying his records. “I enjoy the art covers. There’s something very peaceful and iconic about just seeing them up on your wall,” he said. “I think it comes from a sentimental place.”

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“Sit quietly alone in your room. Once you do that, put on the LP and start playing the music. Your focus will shift from all this stress to one thing. You can consider it meditation.”