Audio cassettes see resurgence in music market

Interest in audio cassettes is experiencing a resurgence, driven by both nostalgic older listeners and a new generation of fans. While vinyl remains the dominant physical format, cassette sales have seen significant growth. In the United States, sales rose from 81,000 units in 2015 to 450,000 a decade later. In the United Kingdom, sales increased by 53 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Pop culture has played a major role in this revival. The series ‘Stranger Things’ notably reintroduced the aesthetic of the 1980s to younger audiences, propelling Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ to the top of the British charts 37 years after its release. Modern pop stars, including Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, are also releasing music on cassette to cater to collectors.

In the Czech Republic, search interest for ‘cassette’ has surged, increasing by 70 percent over the previous month and 90 percent compared to the same period last year. Manufacturers are also responding to the demand; for instance, Maxell has resumed production of the UD-60U model, currently available in Japan.