Two decades ago, it was easy to buy MP3s.
Now, legally obtaining an MP3 album through Amazon Music takes multiple steps. (This became an issue for me today because the streaming quality was glitchy on *Life of a Showgirl* and I was really enjoying it.) So I went to Taylor’s website. Where she totally doesn’t sell MP3s. Just vinyl and cassette. Not even a CD.
I was wondering, “w.t.f. is this about” when it hit me.
MP3s are SO EASY to pirate. CDs are SO EASY to rip to MP3. Vinyl and cassette: somewhat harder. People willing to buy a turntable or tape deck to listen to an album they own, probably are less likely to be in the rip-and-burn demographics. So Taylor’s made a business decision to make it hard to pirate her work.
Newer tech (MP3s) pushing tech retro (vinyl and cassette).
