Now that streaming services are dominating the way we listen to music, it has become more readily available and accessible for music listeners to stream their favorite albums and artists with just a few clicks. This would make a lot of people think analog format is a thing of the past. However, this couldn’t be further away from the truth because vinyl is making a comeback. There’s a reason why many music lovers prefer analog format over digital: nothing can replicate the warm sound and high fidelity of vinyl records. With technology improving and becoming cheaper, it’s much easier for people to invest in a decent turntable and set of speakers.
There are many record stores spread out through Orange County, but one that stood out to me was Port of Sound Record Shoppe in Costa Mesa. It has a gigantic collection of new vinyl releases, used vinyl records, turntables, and cassette tapes. Their largest selection is alternative rock, but they also have records from many genres including hip-hop, rap, pop, jazz, oldies, metal, country, and electronic music. They even have a handful of 7-inch records from local artists.
When I first walked into their shop, I was overwhelmed by the rows and rows of record shelves, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off all the LPs and rare records displayed all along the walls. The cassette tapes were also conveniently located right at the front entrance and there was an assortment of both popular albums and EPs from local bands. When I scrolled through their punk section I was stoked to see that they had LPs from many up and coming bands like Just Friends and Prince Daddy & The Hyena.
My favorite thing about Port of Sound is that their collection literally has all the LPs that have been on my wish list. It’s close to impossible for me to leave Port of Sound without making an impulse purchase. During my last visit, I shamelessly ignored financial responsibility and brought home “It’s Immaterial” by Black Marble, a synthpop/post-punk project from Brooklyn.
If you’re looking to buy the latest record release of your favorite artist, a pre-order, or even just a used record at a decent price, I highly recommend heading over to Port Of Sound in Costa Mesa.
