GoKawiil
Tech News
A new consumer survey finds that nearly eight in ten Gen Z respondents say collecting physical objects makes them feel more connected to the real world. The finding points to a generational trend of young people seeking tangible experiences despite growing up immersed in digital devices and social media.
A writer for GoKawiil recounts buying an obscure vinyl record, 'Christ Liveth In Me' by the Toftwood Male Voice Choir, on March 11, 2017, as part of a long-running habit of collecting rare and unusual vinyl and vintage equipment. The purchase, made during a broader search for 1950s-60s demonstration and sound-effects records, turned into a personal investigation to trace the choir's origins and history.
New data from research firm Luminate shows CD sales climbing 16 percent so far in 2026, with K-pop acts like BTS, Enhypen and ATEEZ driving much of the growth through collectible editions that encourage fans to buy multiple copies. Even without K-pop sales factored in, CD sales still rose 6.7 percent. The format sold 16.3 million units in the first half of the year, far below its peak of over 900 million annual sales around 2000.
Blood Records is producing colored and marbled vinyl variants aimed at younger music collectors, capitalizing on a broader resurgence in vinyl sales. Singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro's debut album Visitor was released in multiple formats, including a limited run of 3,000 copies with a distinctive orange-and-black swirl pattern exclusive to certain retailers.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game's 30th Celebration set launched to long lines and quick sellouts, driven partly by unusually strong odds of pulling rare cards. Separately, YouTuber Natalie Roush deleted a video after backlash over showing off unreleased premium boxes that other creators alleged were stolen from the manufacturer. Reports say automated bots let resellers buy up large quantities of the new set online before many fans could get access.
Porcelain insulators, long overshadowed by glass ones in the collecting hobby, have grown significantly more popular over the past decade. New books, catalogs, and increased online resources have expanded collector knowledge, while rising glass prices have made porcelain a cheaper alternative.