Vinyl is Alive and Gen Z is Spinning It
This week’s episode is a love letter to vinyl—with a healthy dose of awe for Gen Z’s unexpected role in its resurgence. Host Mark Bradbourne opens with personal pickups and an industry-wide nod to a generation that gets it.
Mark’s Latest Vinyl Haul:
- Living Colour – Vivid
- Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
- Iron Maiden – Live After Death (his first-ever music purchase, a cassette)
- Dream Theater box set
- Violent Femmes – Self-titled
- Extreme – Pornograffitti
He’s now tracking everything on Discogs and shopping online—but only from indie record shops.
“Someone started measuring collections in linear feet. I’m getting there…”
Vinyl by the Numbers (via the Vinyl Alliance Report)
Gen Z, surprisingly, is fueling the vinyl renaissance:
76% buy vinyl monthly
80% own turntables
29% say vinyl’s getting too pricey
84% prefer buying in-store
Love the “intentionality” & album listening culture
“They’re rediscovering all the things Gen X and Boomers loved about music.”
5 Songs That Don’t Suck This Week
1.
God Save the Queens – Vienna Vienna
A bold, sarcastic, anti-bigot anthem delivered with raw rock urgency and a razor-sharp chorus. Imagine Queen + Rage + drag realness.
“Straight-ahead rock with a big middle finger to hate.”
For fans of: Maneskin, IDLES, P!nk with a punk twist
2.
LA – Couch
Smooth, soulful, and instantly arresting. Mark and his daughter literally stopped mid-convo in the car when this came on. Sarah Bareilles meets Lake Street Dive.
“When music stops a conversation—that’s when you know it’s good.”
For fans of: Gracie Lawrence, Norah Jones, Allen Stone
3.
Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes and Wine – Luke Spiller
Struts frontman goes glam-theatrical with a Mercury-meets-Bowie solo debut. Theatrical, fuzzy, and addictively melodic once you shake the Struts comparison.
“Took me a minute, but now I catch myself humming it.”
For fans of: Queen, Jet, The Darkness
4.
Wildfire, Gone Gone Gone / Death Song – Rabidology
A minimalist, hypnotic percussion-forward piece with Tibetan bowls, shimmering textures, and meditative vocals. More sonic experience than pop song.
“An audio cornucopia. I was tranced.”
For fans of: Sigur Rós, Bon Iver’s weirdest side, soundtrack vibes
5.
Time With My Sins – The Head and the Heart
Mark finally listened after years of algorithmic nudging—and regrets waiting. Warm harmonies, rich lyrics, Petty-esque storytelling.
“Spotify was right. I should’ve clicked sooner.”
For fans of: The Wild Feathers, Tom Petty, The Lumineers
Final Thoughts: Vinyl is Community, Not Just Consumption
Mark closes by reflecting on how Gen Z’s appreciation for physical music restores his hope in the future of fandom.
“Vinyl is a break from our screens—and from our scroll.”
If you’re a casual streamer, cool. But if you’re here? You’re probably a superfan. Welcome to the club.
Engage With the Podcast
SongsThatDontSuck.net – The hub for:
- Podcast episodes
- Newsletter
- Merch store
- Artist recommendations
Mark’s online, but only where it counts:
Instagram
Blue Sky
Twitter
Facebook
Threads
…and I quote…
❝ The vinyl revival isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about intentionality and building community. And Gen Z is crushing it. ❞
— Mark Bradbourne