Remember when mixtapes ruled the world? They’re back in a surprising way

Plastic rectangles with a magnetic strip are snapping shut once again on shop shelves.

The familiar click-clack sound is back, but this time it isn’t the 1980s.

The people queuing for cassette tapes weren’t even born when Sony Walkmans ruled the world.

Cassette tape sales soared by 204.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 63,288 units, according to industry data—a revival that surprised even seasoned music executives.

Young listeners, mostly Gen Z, are driving this resurgence, transforming a format once thought obsolete into the hottest music trend of the decade.

The rise of cassettes is not just about nostalgia—it’s about novelty.

Total cassette sales climbed from 3,823 in 2012 to more than 195,000 in 2022, marking 10 consecutive years of growth, a more than 5,000 per cent increase in just a decade.

For some, the appeal goes beyond curiosity. Luminate CEO Rob Jonas said: 'Millennials in the U.S. are 42 per cent more likely to buy cassette tapes than listeners from other generations' as a way to support their faves.

The format is bridging generations, with grandparents reminiscing about the original cassette era and grandchildren discovering it for the first time.

Australia is quietly part of this global revival, participating in Cassette Store Day since its UK launch and seeing local retailers embrace the trend.

Matt Huddy, manager of Red Eye Records in Sydney, said: 'There's a nostalgia thing to it, obviously, young kids find them cool and a bit of an oddity. The price is cheaper than an LP, sometimes they come with a digital download code which I think helps sell them.'

RTM could produce finished tapes for artists within two weeks, a major advantage over months-long vinyl pressings, which became crucial during the pandemic when vinyl production faced delays.

Affordability also attracts younger buyers, with cassettes typically selling for $15–25, compared to $50–80 for new vinyl records in Australia.

Australian musician Stella Donnelly explained: 'Vinyl is very expensive, so for a first EP that would come at a massive cost, and unless you have a big label backing you it's not feasible. So I think that's why a lot of people put it out on tape.'

The technology has evolved alongside the format, with new cassette players being launched for listeners unfamiliar with older devices.

FiiO Electronics Technology released the CP13 player, featuring a copper flywheel that reduced 'wow' and 'flutter' distortions, while French brand We Are Rewind introduced the WE-001 model, combining retro appeal with modern performance.

For many, cassettes offer something streaming cannot: tangible ownership, allowing listeners to hold tapes, admire artwork, and flip through liner notes.

The format is also fostering family connections, with grandparents sharing old collections and introducing younger relatives to music that shaped their youth.

Industry experts believe the cassette revival has staying power, with Scott Register of ThinkIndie Distribution saying: 'It reminds me of the early days of the vinyl revival. I'd go to conventions and speak about vinyl and laughter would ensue. I'd go back the next year and report higher sales percentages, and there would be less laughter.'

Streaming growth is slowing, further benefiting physical media, with consumption rising 6.6 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2025, down from 11.3 per cent in Q1 2024, prompting record labels to rethink their approach to physical formats.

Have you kept any of your old cassette tapes, or are you tempted to start collecting again?