Retro technology is making a comeback, with a notable increase in CD sales reported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the first half of 2026. According to the RIAA, CDs generated $171.1 million in revenue during this period, marking a 58.6% increase compared to about $107.9 million in the first half of 2025. This growth was fueled by the sale of 17.5 million units, a 45.7% rise from approximately 12 million units sold in the same period the previous year. However, the full-year 2025 report showed a decline in CD revenue, with a 7.8% drop from $338.9 million in 2024 to $312.4 million in 2025, and a 11.6% decrease in units sold from 33.3 million to 29.5 million. This resurgence in CD sales is part of a larger trend toward simpler, less connected technology. Younger consumers, particularly members of Gen Z, are showing increased interest in "dumbphones" (basic phones without smart features), digital cameras, typewriters, landlines, and physical media like CDs and vinyl records. For this generation, these items represent a longing for an era of technology they never directly experienced—one that offers more control over technology engagement and fewer distractions from notifications, addictive apps, and algorithms. Startups are capitalizing on this trend, with companies like Tin Can, Ooma, and Pinwheel producing landline phones, while others such as Light, Dumb Co, and Minimal are creating non-smartphones. A new BlackBerry-like device called Clicks is also set to launch soon. Meanwhile, Gen Z consumers are buying used gadgets from thrift stores or vintage technology websites like eBay or Retrospekt. It’s important to note that the trend might be even larger than the RIAA's numbers indicate. The association does not include sales of used CDs, such as those bought from thrift stores or garage sales, nor does it account for CDs passed down from older generations. Additionally, the RIAA changed its method of calculating revenue in 2025, switching from estimated retail value to wholesale value. This change makes the 2024 and 2025 revenue numbers not directly comparable. However, unit sales remain a consistent indicator: 29.5 million CDs were sold in 2025, down from 33.3 million in 2024. This means that the recent rebound in CD sales is an unexpected reversal of the prior year’s decline. Vinyl records are also experiencing growth, contributing to the overall increase in physical media revenue. In the first half of 2026, physical media revenue rose by 25.9% to $731.5 million. This growth was driven not only by the 58.6% increase in CD revenue but also by a 17.7% rise in vinyl sales. The combined success of CDs and vinyl suggests that the appeal of tangible, analog formats is growing among consumers seeking a break from the digital overload of modern technology.