Arts

Did you know that April 21st is Record Store Day? Sure, the modern music industry is well and truly established in the digital world, but record stores still cling on for those preferring the sound of vinyl. Most people access their favorite artists now through Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Soundcloud, but there has also been an unexpected boom in analog music. According to Forbes, vinyl sales have grown 260 percent since 2009, and in 2017 the US saw sales increase for the 12th year in a row, with the most units sold since 1991. Vinyl, it seems, is no longer just for music nerds and hipsters. In Japan, the rebirth of vinyl is evidenced by Sony firing up its pressing factory after a 30-year absence to provide for younger music lovers who uncover artists through streaming sites and want to own the physical album. If you are a vinyl fan or want to find some hidden gems in the Japanese market, there are absolutely tons of CD and record shops around Tokyo. Below is just a small selection of what the city has to offer. Big Love If you’ve got a big love for records, then this should be…