India’s Vinyl Revival: Why Records Are Spinning Again

The Problem with Frictionless Listening

We live in the streaming age, where endless music is available at the tap of a screen. Platforms like Spotify craft personalized playlists for every moment—mood, weather, even your sleep cycle.

But with all this convenience comes passivity. Music becomes background noise. Songs are stripped from their stories and turned into “vibe playlists,” making it harder to form deep connections. As Liz Pelly notes in her book Mood Machine, frictionless listening makes us passive participants in our own soundtracks.

The Unexpected Return of Vinyl Records

Vinyl, long thought dead, is booming again.

In the US, over 43.6 million LPs were sold in 2024
In the UK, sales hit 6.7 million, the highest since 1990

In India, hard sales data is scarce, but the rise of record shops and collectors tells the story. From Mumbai’s The Revolver Club to Bangalore’s On The Jungle Floor, vinyl culture is buzzing.

Earlier this month, Record Store Day India saw thousands flock to events and pop-ups to celebrate music on wax.

Why Vinyl Feels So Right (Right Now)

People are returning to vinyl for many reasons—but one common thread is intentionality.

“With wax, you have to put in effort,” says Akhil Hemdev (On The Jungle Floor). “You drop the needle, flip the record… it’s like a ritual.”

Other reasons:

The warmth of analog sound
Full-size album art and liner notes
A slower, more immersive listening experience

And unlike streaming, vinyl connects fans. Record barse club nights, and listening sessions create tight-knit music communities.

“Everyone’s there for the love of music and vinyl,” says Nehal Shah (Indian Record Co.). “It’s a real scene.”

Local Artists on Vinyl: Supporting Independent Music Through Record Purchases 2

Indian Indie Artists Are Pressing Wax

Artists like Peter Cat Recording Co., Prateek Kuhad, Priya Ragu, and Mali are all pressing vinyl. Whether for the album-first listening experience or as limited-edition merch for super-fans, it’s working.

“We sold out 300 Peter Cat records in 11 hours,” says Jude de Souza (The Revolver Club).

Even fans without turntables are buying records as collectibles, art objects, or to support artists directly.

Local Artists on Vinyl: Supporting Independent Music Through Record Purchases 3

India’s Global Vinyl Moment

Indian records—both vintage and new—are catching international attention.

Reissue labels like Naya Beat Records are reviving hidden gems. DJs are crate-digging for Indian grooves. And new vinyl releases by South Asian acts like Arooj Aftab, Lapgan, and Baalti are showing the world that Indian music goes far beyond Bollywood.

“A friend was at a club in Paris when the DJ dropped a Baba Sehgal track,” laughs Shah. “The crowd went wild.”

A New Musical Identity, One Record at a Time

Vinyl is helping reshape how the world hears India. These records challenge the cliché of “sitars and snake-charmers,” proving that India’s music scene is rich, genre-fluid, and deeply global.

“There are global stores that want Indian vinyl,” says De Souza. “It shows the world there’s more here than they ever imagined.”

Jameson Connects in partnership with Azadi Records, powered by Jameson Ginger Ale.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of Jameson Connects.

Return to jam radio