Urban Outfitters is proving to be much more than just a clothing store. In addition to a wide variety of apparel, the company also sells random and funny accessories and toys. It also sells vinyl records - a trend that began when young people decided that reviving old habits was pretty fashionable. The addition of vinyl records to Urban's merchandise is actually quite consistent with the "feel" of the store, the message they want to deliver to the generation, and the direction of young people. 

As the years have passed, most people cannot survive without their electronics. Ironically, during these years, the sales of vinyl records have significantly increased. A few factors have contributed to the sudden popularity.

Music has been integral to “youth” identity for as long as it has been around. It is always exciting when an artist or band is coming out with a new album. There was a time when kids had no choice but to wait in line for hours to buy a vinyl, hoping the record store wouldn’t run out before they got in the door. Now, everyone preorders their albums on iTunes weeks in advance, opens their laptops, and there they are, ready for download. No fear that they won’t get to listen to their desired music. 

Generation Y (everyone born roughly within the early 1980s to the early 2000s) grew up in a world where almost everything was in the process of digitalizing. As a person who has grown up with all things digital, listening to vinyl is a way to disappear from it all: social media, the news, school, and everything technology has overtaken. 

Generation Y uses vinyl records to find themselves, to feel like they have something obtainable. Vinyl is much more of an all-encompassing experience than listening to an iPod. The digital world is modern and does have tremendous benefits; however, taking a break from it isn’t so bad. Vinyl provides a simple way to experience classic, old-school pleasure. 

Vinyl is basically the Williamsburg, Brooklyn of musical mediums. Over the last generation, Williamsburg has transformed into neighborhood of artists and hipsters. Unlike it's dangerous reputation during the later 20th century, it is now extremely desirable and cool to live there.  It used to be just another town in Brooklyn that had much cheaper rents than those of Manhattan. But eventually, the neighborhood of Williamsburg started to transform into this awesome, fun, and popular place. It was, admittedly, unexpected. But as times and people change, certain things become ‘cool’, again. And then, everyone flocks to it.

Recently, artists have been marketing vinyl records as a highly sought after item. Jack White released his newest album, "Lazaretto," on vinyl as a very special, limited edition record. The vinyl is full of innovative, new features. For starters, the album plays inside out, so instead of placing the record player's needle against the outside of the record, the needle rests in the center. The album also has a hand-carved hologram in the center, which plays an electric or acoustic introduction to one of the songs. Perhaps the best hidden treasure, the vinyl also features exlusive hidden tracks that listeners cannot find anywhere else. In addition, the actual record itself is split-color - blue and white - with exclusive album art. 

Daft Punk, Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire are just a few other examples of artists that are also releasing their records on vinyl. 

Vinyl records are and have always been a rarefied pleasure; something you can hold on to forever. Maybe it was the way our parents talked about listening to the Beatles on their record players over and over again, or about their vinyl collections, but vinyl records always seemed to have much more significance than a CD, and especially an MP3 file. 

The simple, low-key, relaxed and hipster lifestyle that Generation Y trying to live is very simliar to the foundation of Urban Outfitters. The clothing is comfortable and fun, the accessories are funny and juvenile, and the vinyl records give people a reason to step back and enjoy the simple things.

Generation Y is not trying to steal something from the past or devalue the meaning of vinyl records. The vinyl comeback is a much-needed change of pace for a society that is always on-the-go. 

Contact Staff Reporter Emma Shepardson here or follow her on Twitter here.