Cassettes Surge: 2,627% Price Jump Stuns Market

The humble cassette tape is staging an impressive comeback, with recent releases seeing their value skyrocket. Driven by a potent mix of 1980s nostalgia and a growing demand for physical music formats, even modern albums on tape are becoming valuable collector's items. Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' tape, originally £11, now fetches up to £300, marking an astonishing 2,627% increase.

This resurgence is largely fueled by younger generations, particularly Generation Z, who did not experience the format's initial popularity. They are drawn to the tangible aspect of owning music, offering a counterpoint to ubiquitous streaming services. Artists like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana Del Rey are contributing by releasing new albums on cassette, further boosting interest and collectibility.

While older tapes from popular 1980s and 1990s artists also command significant prices, the limited production runs of new cassette releases are key to their escalating value. The market, though still niche, has seen over a 1,700% increase in sales over the past decade, proving that vintage formats can still captivate modern audiences.