As we are propelled into a future of AI assistance, Cybertrucks, and major iPhone releases with seemingly minor differences, cultural pioneers from Gen Z are harkening back to the nostalgia of their parents’ adolescence, a pre-iPhone era of rock’n’roll and MTV (so I guess they couldn’t exactly be called pioneers…and since many grew up alongside smartphones, they wouldn’t have the affordance of being nostalgic of a time before). Enthralled by the tangible and interactive aspects of retro tech, many young individuals are flocking to record shops and thrift stores, vintage markets and garage sales, for vinyl, film cameras, and flip phones (which I realize aren’t exactly retro). Because not only are the decades of the 60s, 70s, and 80s being invoked, but Y2K trends are also making a rebound, if you couldn’t tell already by the resurgence of cheetah print in the fashion conversation.
Aside from simply channeling the aesthetics of yesteryear, much of the captivation surrounding retro technology is grounded in an effort to disengage from the modern tech-induced tendencies of doom-scrolling and binge-watching. Since the release of the first iPhone in 2007, we have been living in a post-smartphone existence, our lives irreparably shaped by and entwined with the electronic in our back pockets. As I see it, we currently inhabit the year 18 A.D. (After Device), at the pinnacle (thus far) of technological innovation, and yet many are seeking a way to ‘Marty McFly’-it back to the 80s to pick up some Huey Lewis and the News vinyl and Adidas Samba kicks. Of course, companies are scrambling to manufacture vintage lookalikes to keep up with the trends, and everything a contemporary artist or band puts out is subsequently reproduced into CD or record form, but nothing beats truly retro finds.
TECH
Flip phones as well as all sorts of cameras (film, digital, Polaroid, etc.) are rising in popularity. According to Grand View Research, the market demand for cameras especially is going to continue to ascend.
The limited features of flip phones allow people to detach from the mind-numbing lull of virtual algorithms. It strips the modern phone down to its fundamental purpose – a means of one-on-one auditory communication (the texting function on flip phones is dicier with the classic “three letters per number key” buttons that make the process inordinately frustrating). European phone manufacturer HMD’s slogan for their “Boring Phone” frames the idea perfectly: “There is more to your social life when there is less on your phone.” Recent commercialized collaborations have also drummed up interest around flip phones, such as HMD’s high-profile team-up with Mattel for the Barbie Phone, which was released in the wake of Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster film, Barbie.
Cameras have also been piquing the interest throughout the tech world. Professionals and amateurs alike seek out the best models to achieve the highly saturated, warmth-infused raw presets found on more antique devices (in fact, apps like Lapse and Dazz Cam have been designed in an attempt to replicate different camera “filters”). The whole photo-capturing experience has now been romanticized and reimagined as an approach to make moments feel more tangible and lasting, especially with the revival of Polaroid cameras and photo booths. The idea of possessing a tactile memory in the form of a Polaroid print-out or photo booth strip is incredibly enticing considering that nowadays many memories are simply sentenced to a 24-hour premiere on peoples’ Instagram stories. Physical mementos give permanence to fleeting experiences.
There is also a sense of intentionality, engagement, and attachment instilled in a photographer handling a film, digital, or disposable camera. The limited, pre-determined cap on the amount of photos per film roll (which can be quite pricey) means that each snapshot should be taken with care. And once the actual pictures have been taken, the whole procedure of processing film or developing photos from a dispo can take several days (or if you’re looking for a cheaper option and going to RiteAid like me, several months). As for discussion surrounding older digital cameras, there is no “live” option, no instant upload feature, and no recently deleted folder (so can you really delete all your blurry pics, because what if you really need them one day???). The true mark of any quality digital camera, besides its beautiful filter-less presets and the red eyes glowing from the flash, is the characteristic neon timestamp inscribed in the corner.
MUSIC
Vinyl records are all the rage nowadays, and classic music genres are garnering attention amidst the youth. “The importance of records is in the name,” says Siren Records staff member, Heidi. “They provide an indelible record of a certain piece of art at a certain time.”
Records provide a way for individuals to actively engage in their listening experience as they must physically flip the disc over once the needle has reached the end of its center-bound path. When handling records, one must be present and careful to preserve the quality of the vinyl as well as avoid damaging the player’s delicate needle. The crackling, buzzing, humming effect of needle on vinyl makes the music feel corporeal, filling the room with its visceral vibrations. “The appeal of vinyl records is [their] permanence,” Heidi of Siren Records asserts. “It provides an opportunity for true ownership to people, including a new generation of young people who have, unlike prior generations, had only digital/streaming capabilities when it comes to the art they love.”
Records promote an album-oriented listening experience as opposed to the more contemporary playlist-approach. By being forced to listen to an album in its intended order, just as the artist or band carefully and intentionally mapped out, the listener is exposed to the artist’s creative masterpiece in its fullness. There is no skipping, queuing, or repeating capabilities without disrupting the natural course of the record. Therefore, a connoisseur of records becomes intimately familiar with an artist or band. They must cultivate a collection of exclusively performer-based works, intentionally picking out records (after all, vinyl can be quite pricey) worth 40 minutes of golden playtime apiece.
The “old-timey” sounds of classic genres are also reemerging – genres dominated by voices of the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s are now being shaped by up-and-rising contemporaries. Jazz is experiencing a major revival with internationally adored, GRAMMY-decorated, Icelandic-Chinese composer and performer, Laufey, as well as another (triple) GRAMMY-winning artist who evokes the soulful resonance of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday: Samara Joy. Elvis-esque sounds have also been channeled by the likes of online sensation Elliot James Reay and his major hit “I Think They Call This Love”. Moving into the 60’s and 70’s territory, artists like Dominic Fulco are sparking renewed interest within the classic rock genre. Even visual components of contemporary music are reminiscent of the culture of yesteryear, inducing the vintage atmosphere of the 50s and 60s with Sabrina Carpenter’s renowned Espresso music video and Stephen Sanchez’s Angelface album cover. In an industry that is ever-saturated with pop music nowadays, with its Brat summers and Midwest Princess superstars, these genres can oftentimes be buried, and yet they still persist and resonate amongst modern listeners.
FASHION
Sambas, cheetah print, and leather, oh my! Throwback looks are populating Pinterest feeds.
The tech and music industries aren’t the only commercial realms undergoing a retro breakthrough – the world of fashion is caught up in the wave as well. Younger audiences are scrounging through attics and sifting through thrift shop racks and diving into the bins for the clothes of their parents. Classic looks of the 90s and 2000s like low-rise jeans, Adidas sambas, and cheetah print are all the rage now (in fact I just described an entire outfit I saw someone wearing the other day!) Experimenting with different concepts and ultimately curating a wardrobe unique unto oneself seems to be the ultimate goal of style influencers nowadays, many preferring the layering, stacking, mixing, and accessorizing qualities of maximalism to the bland minimalism characterized by millennials. Elton John -sized glasses, charm-bedecked tennis shoes, and statement jewelry are Pinterest feed staples that harken back to the funk and flamboyance of the 70s rock scene.
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So, so long to the sleek, futuristic cyber-cities of Blade Runner and Back to the Future 2, or at least to modern millennial trends like the “sad beige mom” lifestyle, because this generation is curating their own lifestyle through a retrospective lens, moving forward in the conversations of tech, music, and fashion by appreciating the age-defying aesthetic of the olden days.
