Music lovers often prefer the affordability and wide access of streaming music, but recently, more people are turning toward vinyl. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, 2023 saw $1.4 billion in revenue from vinyl, a 10% increase from 2022.
Popular artists like Tyler the Creator, Phoebe Bridgers and Adele are all making their music available via vinyl. Not only is vinyl fun to collect, but it offers people a way to break generational stereotypes and bond with something real and tangible. Often newer generations are assumed to be addicted to their phones. Vinyl gives these generations a chance to listen to music without their phones. Attracting listeners with colorful covers and complementary posters, vinyl is making its way back to many homes.
Many vinyl enthusiasts in Santa Fe love local shops like Lost Padre Records downtown on Water Street, The Good Stuff on West San Francisco Street and Betterday Vintage off West Alameda. But what about the vinyl shops in Albuquerque? Compared to the shops in Santa Fe, Albuquerque offers much more variety in genres, and each store presents its customers with its own quirky ambience and energy.
One record seller, Charley’s Records & CDs, specializes in not only selling vinyl, but trading and buying from customers as well. Located on 7602 Menaul Blvd NE, come in to find a wide variety of music, posters and T-shirts.
Additionally, it has unique vinyl behind the counter and carries the widest variety of genres compared to other shops in Albuquerque. If you are familiar with RSD (Record Store Day), make sure to stop by Charley’s, as the store participates in the event every year.
Open every day with varying hours, many customers have found Charley’s Records & CDs to be of great selection and vintage ambiance.
LongHair Records offers customers a knowledgeable staff and a diverse collection of vinyl, CD, cassettes and films. Along with its local items, international music from countries like South Korea and Japan can be found as well.
Located at 1315 San Mateo Blvd NE and open every day, walk in to find funky decorations and a helpful and personal staff.
One thing that keeps customers’ attention is the live events LongHair Records hosts. In the windows of the store can be seen flyers for performances at the store and other places around Albuquerque.
As one review on Google puts it: “Rarely do you get to skim through cases of records while a band shreds and a mosh pit ensues 5 feet away.”
If you’re looking to shop for some vintage audio gear along with your vinyl, Nob Hill Music is the place to go. Located at 3904B Central Ave SE, the store offers a great selection of vinyl, CDs and cassettes.
Along with its decorative musical instrument lamps is a diverse selection of stereo equipment: speakers, turntables and receivers.
Although Nob Hill Music specializes in jazz and rock, the store carries various styles, including funk, hip-hop, folk, country and classical.
The store’s inventory database, Nob Hill Music specialty access, includes 20,000 LPs off-site. When looking for a particular item, this database is the best place to search for it.
For those who enjoy thrifting for antiques, why not browse through some vinyl at the same time? SloLow Vinyl Records can be found inside Antiques and Things at 4710 Central Ave SE. SloLow Vinyl Records has a wide selection of records, with older and newer items. If you’re trying to save money, take a dive into its $3 bin; SloLow has a multitude of genres, all for a decent price. Last time I looked through the bin, I came across a Paul Simon album, Still Crazy After All These Years, and knew instantly I had to take it home.
Abby Frey will be a senior at Santa Fe High School. Contact her at abbyafrey@gmail.com.
The Santa Fe New Mexican observes its 175th anniversary with a series highlighting some of the major stories and figures that have appeared in the paper's pages through its history. The collection also includes archival photo galleries.
