CD sales are surging again, driven largely by Gen Z and millennial listeners rather than the older fans typically associated with the format. Industry data from Luminate shows compact discs rose 16 percent in the first half of 2026, outpacing vinyl's more modest growth, suggesting younger audiences are increasingly drawn to physical media as a tactile, screen-free alternative to streaming.

Luminate's report found 16.3 million CDs were sold in the US alone in that period, compared with just a 2.4 percent rise for vinyl, with BTS's "Arirang" the year's top-selling disc. K-pop and indie rock fans were identified as the most enthusiastic buyers of physical formats, and 60 percent of Gen Z listeners now say they mostly listen to music from the 1990s or earlier, up from 18 percent five years ago. Commentators suggest CDs appeal because they offer full, uncut albums, richer sound than streaming, and freedom from logins, tracking and notifications.