CD sales increase for the first time in 17 years: here’s why
For the first time in 17 years, CD sales are… in fact on the rise.
According to an annual report by MRC data, CD sales have grown from 40.16 million units in 2020 to 40.49 million in 2021. And we have big names like BTS, Adele, and Taylor Swift to praise it.
The volume of vinyl album sales also increased by 50.4% in 2021. This includes the biggest week of vinyl album sales volume since 1991.
On Thursday, January 6, Billboard reported that Adele was a big reason for the upward trend in CD sales in 2021 (and music sales in general!). His last LP, 30, was last year’s best-selling record across all physical and digital platforms. It was also the best-selling CD in 2021, moving 898,000 units.
Like Billboard noted, however, “had 30 was not released in 2021, total CD sales would have declined year over year.
Speaking of Adele, who seems to be breaking records everywhere she goes, the singer teased a new clip on Instagram Thursday, also writing: “Rested and relocated!” I feel ready for 2022, there is so much to come, so glad you all see it x â€
In other CD sales news, Swift, which was promoting three albums last year, has sold nearly 700,000 CDs. Always sold 213,000. Without fear (Taylor version) sold 263,000 and Red (Taylor version) sold 237,000. BTS 2020 LPs Soul Card: 7 and To be sold 1.03 million CDs combined in 2021.
Together, the three acts account for 7.1% of all CD sales in 2021, Stereo eraser underline.
It is not yet known whether or not this trend will continue in the following years. Maybe if other big name artists release new albums in bands like Swift, Adele, and BTS in 2021, there will be a continued uptick.
Swift would be working hard on future “Taylor’s Version” versions of her albums. Adele will probably take some time off now after 30. Maybe BTS will come up with a new feature film on the heels of its success in 2021. Maybe with Coldplay!
In the meantime, there are rumors of a new record from Dr. Dre, Eminem too. They could keep pushing the needle so the rest of us could bring back the old plastic binders we kept in our cars in high school (or was it just me?)