In this age of endless music releases, reissues, limited editions, collectors’ editions, super deluxe edition box sets, and audiophile pressings, it’s imperative to embrace subjectivity and reject the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Doing so will ultimately result in a collection that is authentic, diverse, and representative of your unique musical tastes. 

Succumbing to FOMO can lead to an unsatisfactory record collection. Seriously, take a look at your current collection. How many of those titles really speak to you? How many have you played recently? Do you even remember why you purchased some of the titles? Don’t worry, we’ve all experienced that moment where we’re left scratching our heads as to why we have an album, or albums, that we don’t truly love. 

Perhaps it’s a Record Store Day (RSD) release or an album that is touted by many as one that you really must hear on vinyl; a suggestion I’m sure I’ve been guilty of sharing as well. Nevertheless, it really doesn’t matter why you acquired an album. What does matter is that you create your own library of incredible music titles that speak to you, no one else. 

When I put together my list of the Best Albums of a particular year, I reject common assumptions as to what should be on the list and instead listen to, and love, the music I present via the ranked lists rather than regurgitating the same old titles in a different order. I do this because music is personal and while I appreciate sharing my lists with you all, it is also the reason why this site is called Subjective Sounds for it represents the music I hold dear and near to my heart; music that may, but likely won’t, appeal to everyone and that’s okay. 

However, please don’t think that I haven’t been influenced by FOMO. There was a time when audiophile releases, limited numbered editions, and fancy reissues and box sets were a priority for me and you know what, they’re not always that great and often don’t live up to the hype. It was as if I put a higher price on the mastering and the cost of the album along with others’ opinions and forgot that it’s about the music I love, not the attainment of a recommended artefact. Plus, those limited releases are artificially created to drive us collectors to impulsively buy. It’s consumerism and corporate greed taken to another level entirely and it makes fools out of all of us.

As I alluded to earlier, I’ve often found those highly sought-after albums to be considerably overrated and I’ve purchased enough, throughout the years, to be able to speak frankly on the subject. Many are, however, excellent and I have appreciated audiophile pressings, released by reputable labels and mastering engineers, but I’ve found that I often don’t get any more enjoyment out of collecting these than I do from listening to the albums via Apple Music.

I know, blasphemy, but with rarity and cost comes worry, anxiety, and a lack of pleasure for I fear accidentally dropping the record; something that I’ve never done…yet! I also find that I sit and “seriously listen”, a term I abhor, to these releases. The result is that I notice more elements of the recording, mastering, or overall production that I don’t like for I’m looking for flaws amongst what is touted to be absolute perfection. It really is the antithesis of an enjoyable hobby at that stage. 

Music is supposed to be entertainment and should be relaxing and while some may thoroughly appreciate vinyl for their own subjective reasons,  I much prefer to simply enjoy the music without the associated worry and rollercoaster of emotions I experience when collecting and playing the physical artefact. As such, I find that I am continually moving towards a digital-first approach with regard to my music library, thereby freeing myself from the pressures associated with building, growing, and maintaining a physical record collection filled with artificial rarities that were attained because I feared missing out.

How To Prevent Unnecessary Purchases And FOMO When Growing Your Record Collection?

Obviously, you could go and live off the grid, in a hut in the middle of the woods, and while that sounds rather serene it’s highly impractical. Plus, if you disconnected, you wouldn’t be able to check out all the reviews, feature articles, lists, and tips right here on Subjective Sounds. I’ve gotta give myself a shameless plug now and then, don’t I? That aside, let’s take a look at tips to improve how you collect the music you love and cherish henceforth without external pressures. 

1. Define Your Musical Preferences: Take the time to identify the genres, artists, and styles that genuinely resonate with you. This will help you establish a strong foundation for your collection based on your personal tastes rather than external influences.

2. Set Clear Collection Goals: Determine what you want your record collection to represent and the type of music you want to explore. Set goals such as focusing on specific eras, genres, or artists. Having a clear vision will help you stay focused and will prevent impulsive purchases.

3. Create A Wishlist: Maintain a wishlist of albums you genuinely desire. This allows you to prioritise and evaluate potential purchases. Before buying an album, refer to your wishlist to ensure it aligns with your goals and preferences.

4. Practice Mindful Listening: Take the time to truly engage with, and listen to, the albums you already own. This will help you appreciate your current collection rather than constantly seeking new additions; a practice I’ve found to be invaluable. It may also help you weed out those albums that don’t truly speak to you and therefore are not deserving of inclusion in your collection. 

5. Use Streaming Services For Exploration And Discovery: Utilise music streaming platforms to sample music before committing to a purchase. This allows you to discover new artists and genres without immediately buying every album that piques your interest. Plus, the sonic quality of services such as Apple Music and Qobuz is matching and in some cases surpassing that of the physical counterpart. A controversial opinion, perhaps, but I’m simply telling it how it is from my own experiences.

6. Set A Budget: Establish a record-buying budget that aligns with your financial situation. This will prevent impulsive purchases and encourage you to make more thoughtful decisions about which albums to add to your collection.

7. Embrace Delayed Gratification: Avoid making impulsive purchases by implementing a waiting period before buying an album. Even a few days should be sufficient. Allow yourself time to reflect on whether or not it genuinely aligns with your collection goals and if it's a record you will truly enjoy for years to come.

8. Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: Instead of amassing a large collection for the sake of numbers and bragging rights, focus on acquiring albums that are of high quality and hold significant personal value. A smaller collection filled with cherished albums will always bring about greater satisfaction than a vast collection lacking meaningful connections.

9. Seek Recommendations From Trusted Sources: Once you’ve applied all of the above, instead of following every popular recommendation, seek guidance from individuals or sources whose musical tastes align with your own.

At a time when we’re continually bombarded with recommendations and trends, it's crucial to resist FOMO when building and growing a record collection. Embracing subjectivity and rejecting the fear of missing out will result in a collection that is authentic, diverse, and representative of your unique musical tastes. Remember, the joy of collecting records lies in the personal connections you form with the music, not in merely checking off a list of popular titles or attaining physical artefacts. So, tune out the noise, trust your instincts, and embark on a musical journey that truly speaks to your soul. Record collecting should be a joyful and personal experience that truly reflects your musical journey and tastes.