Inglewood’s Recordland spins new life into old media for Calgarians

In a world dominated by technology and screens, Gen-Z – people born between 1997 and 2012 – seem to crave nostalgia they never experienced through the “old ways,” embracing entertainment through records, books, and film cameras.

Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music continue to dominate the music industry. Still, vinyl has made a comeback in recent years, drawing people to the music scene in a more traditional way.

Record stores are seeing a renewed interest away from instant playlists.

Gen Z has sparked a vintage revival, seeking to disconnect from digital spaces and opting for more handheld options. 

Inglewood, one of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods, remains a hotspot for independent novelty retailers, and chains and franchises are rare. 

The legacy community attracts many Calgarians and even tourists who seek out spots like Recordland, which offers traditional literature, analogue photography, and classical music for a generation craving nostalgia.

Established in 1978, Recordland began in a home’s basement.

A family business, now run by Eraz Cohen since being passed down to him by his father, fosters a welcoming environment for music lovers and vinyl collectors.

The entrance to Recordland summons nostalgia for all visitors with the hum of music and the smell of aged cardboard record sleeves right as you open the door.

The storefront features many narrow aisles, with CDs and vinyl records organized by genre. Recordland offers a mix of used vinyl and newly released albums from popular artists.

It’s a music lover’s dream, with thousands of vinyls stacked by genre and in alphabetical order by artists’ names. From the newest pop hit record to used rock-and-roll older than the shop itself, Recordland truly has it all. 

With narrow aisles that twist into a maze of CDs, posters, vinyl records, and shop t-shirts lined on the walls, customers can explore endlessly. 

Vinyl records have been more than a tribute to the past. It is a serious hobby that comes with a hefty price tag. A hobby that requires patience, dedication and investment. Owning physical copies, especially rare or limited-edition albums, can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. 

It offers a sense of ownership that streaming services cannot replicate—allowing customers to personalize their vinyl collection, seeking out limited-edition albums or albums with unique features around every corner.

The vintage revival of vinyl embodies a deliberate approach in a fast-paced digital environment, allowing for a way to slow down and immerse yourself in the music.

Recordland offers a hands-on dive into vinyl and the experience of sound in a space that is a pocket of nostalgia.

While the shop seems to embrace the old, eager music fans can stay updated – online – on Recordland’s Instagram to find out when new (and old) vinyl hits the shelves.