The Case of Deluxe Albums and Vinyl Variants

traditional deluxe albums seem to be on their way out and new adaptions have formed in the streaming/tiktok era
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[@fresitaale]

the amount of vinyl variants that some artists release disgusts me, a few are fine but too many is so wasteful

[@hunniii2356]

girl shut up, y'all are dramatic af, don't buy then, i've never bought a single physical copy and i don't feel the need to

[@manutd7194]

I'm wondering why vinyl variants are needed to begin with. I get it make money you do you but it all seems like a predatory sales tactic and not much else. It doesn't happen as much in any other creative medium (that I'm aware of). It's a huge farce and middle finger to genuine fans.

[@manutd7194]

@@BRANDONDEVON Because they are being taken advantage of.

[@keneraldmunda9649]

I guess album vinyls are now treated as pokemon cards like a collectible.

[@pitabeybeh6451]

I think the album variant thing came from Kpop.

[@phillinsogood]

Can we talk about how nowadays album eras don’t last as long and don’t have as much impact as albums from previous decades

[@KYLEJT]

Period it's like BOOM, next

[@RagondinCosmopolite]

Regardless of the time, not all albums had a longlasting impact. Look at the charts right now and there's so many 'old' albums on there, from Morgan Wallen and SZA to Taylor Swift. Labels won't be releasing new singles for albums that drop off completely after like 3 months, flop albums in the past didn't get 5 singles either. We just remember the best ones but there were always short eras.

[@caitlingill]

I feel like generally rock bands have way longer eras than pop singers/groups

[@Malum09]

I think the Fast media consumption has made people become into insatiable black holes for media, not letting them sit and enjoy the current release.

[@saturdaymidnights.4303]

because the field has become a lot more saturated with social media becoming a thing

[@warrenmacdonald3463]

what taylor is doing is putting one unique song on each variant, so there is no single vinyl with every song, making fans have to buy each version to own each song. it is very different and much more greedy than just having multiple different covers or vinyl colours like lana did with Ocean Blvd where all the variants have the same tracklist and the fan can just pick which cover or vinyl colour they like the best, and there isn't pressure to buy multiple copies that each contain one unique song.

[@sophiaguardado3097]

Olivia did the same thing with her multiple vinyl variants

[@Sami-k-shya]

i am taylor fans , but i didn't bought it. Besisdes it is just 4 vinyls , olivia has 15 and some others has many more.

[@xontality2591]

actually olivia did it first (guts has 15 variants, taylor’s new album has 5) but ofc yall will only blame taylor lol

[@ballerinaonamusicbox]

⁠​⁠​⁠people see taylor more than olivia so thats why she gets more blame. but 15 variations is insane

[@LilyEvans1996]

@@Sami-k-shyashe has 15?!????

[@tylerhackner9731]

The whole multiple variants and target exclusives thing is so weird to me. I guess I’m just used standard deluxe things.

[@mohamedAgacem]

It's just a tactic to make more money, taking advantage of compulsive obsessive fans who aren't financially responsible

[@madalena1790]

It’s also super frustrating for international fans neve have the option to buy those exclusive variants and also bc of how crazy expensive they try and sell/re sell it for!

[@felixissleepingrn]

omg billboard was out to get katy perry

[@musicbydemarcus]

The industry did not want her breaking MJs record

[@cindyhxlle]

@@musicbydemarcusshe technically did break the record if we’re talking about the teenage dream ERA. 6 number 1’s.

[@bigbootyboy420]

So was Nickelodeon

[@nicholasriera6622]

@@cindyhxlleme and you know the truth. media obviously never talked about this

[@oswiroa4973]

@@musicbydemarcusit’s insane how they wanted to protect that ped*phile’s legacy at all cost 😂

[@nevaminddd]

If yall think this is bad go and see what the kpop industry does 😂 they drop different album or single variant for each member of a group (and some groups have more than 7 members) and they include photocards of the members which become collectable like pokemon cards. Its wild 😂 the resale of albums without photocards is huge, sometimes they dont even resell they just trash it because they only wanted the photocard. In my eyes western industry has just started to figure this whole thing out to persuade fans to buy physical.

[@jtm881]

That's what I'm saying- if we really want to change things people should be cracking down on jpop/kpop industry for their physical sales distributions. I always buy from the cover art/concept I like the most, but several people go out of their way to buy every single version, and even buy multiples to get whole photocard sets. The whole thing is excessive.

[@ErlGaGa]

well at least the variants are cool and the design and content are pretty good (too bad they useçually release mini albums) unlike some western artists .

[@jxstadri]

⁠@@ErlGaGaTHIS. No cause I‘d much rather prefer having to wait a year or two for a new album that has at least 11 songs than get 2-3 EPs a year. And like there a lot of times where 2-3 EPs could be put together into one album. But yea, the attention span of K-Pop fans is insanely short. I enjoy K-Pop a lot but sometimes I see other fans being like „When‘s a new „album“ coming“ when it‘s only been just some weeks. Like Twice had one of their longest eras with Ready To Be which they rarely/never really have. K-Pop labels will just put out EP after EP, the occasional album every other four years and then new EPs. In my opinion for EPs, they should only have a maximum of two versions and for albums they can have three. But not more than that. I wonder how many pure actual sales there are without fans buying multiple albums or even just the same version for that one photo card.

[@boy.erased]

i get decision fatigue from having to choose between like 10 different vinyl variants

[@jase87]

Kpop and the original offender Jpop were/are also very guilty of this

[@xfreja]

at least with repackage albums we get whole new eras, comebacks, concepts and physical albums. it’s just different and much better

[@josjoererg]

i don’t think people spend enough time talking about what a great marketing strategy photocards are

[@smarterperson16]

@@josjoererg photocards + meet and greet tickets too. not to mention in akb48's case, they used to release a single every year where you could get a ballot for an election to choose who gets to be on their next single. all of that played a MASSIVE role in their rise back in the late 00s/early to mid 10s

[@braylin5003]

Yes and no, they make many variants but each one is a different experience, from colors, gifts and member centric albums.

[@saturdaymidnights.4303]

@@xfrejano it’s worse. it’s the same „album“ but with different photocards. and at the end stans buy these albums for the pc

[@Stormy_Cloud]

Thank you for speaking out on this. Everyone is vopying Taylor's marjeting strategy and its gone way too out of hand. We only want 1 deluxe version that has all the tracks. Those "Target Exclusives" are the absolute worst.

[@otisedwards8827]

I wonder if it's the artists or labels idea to have more deluxes and variants.

[@mguymario]

Taylor has not started this. KPop has been doing this whole mutable version stuff for decades at this point

[@xfreja]

@@mguymarionahhhh in kpop they do it much differently bruh. with repackage albums we get whole new eras, comebacks, concepts and physical albums. it’s just different and much better compared to wtv tf taylor and others are doing

[@nonamecommenter]

I don’t think this is something that Taylor started lol

[@mguymario]

@@xfreja 100% agreed

[@klu5301]

Lana Del Rey has always put a lot of effort into her vinyls since her debut, she stated in interviews how she believes her fan base likes to be able to hold the physical version of her work. I completely understand the point you are making but hopefully people know Lana didn’t jump on a trend, shes always been a huge supporter of vinyl pressings and supporting vinyl stores! As a fan of hers I appreciate it because it gives a variety of different covers to choose from and if you are a collector her limited editions are great to have!

[@emomu]

I think making certain vinyl editions exclusive to brick-and-mortar stores can be very helpful in supporting local record stores, and I wish more artists (besides indie ones) continued doing that instead of just releasing Target exclusives and multiple editions with different bonus tracks and artworks.

[@imnobodywhoareyouu]

My issue with special vinyl editions is that most of them are not available on CD, and I'm a CD collector.

[@madalena1790]

Yeah same… I usually ask for my fav albums as Christmas present even tho I don’t have my own personal cd player 😭 I use to have one and as a teen I loved going into the cd shops and buying them, I never realised the whole deluxe thing until I fell in love with a song that was in Taylor’s 1989 deluxe. So I begged for the cd and when I got it was so confused as to why I didn’t have the song I loved on it. Now it feels even worse bc I wait for them to release the deluxe before I ask ppl to buy it but I had an artist that took like nearly a year to release the deluxe so I asked for it on Christmas just for said artist to release their deluxe version a month or so later…. AGHHHHHH AND I LOVED THE EXTRA SONGS

[@crystalcastillo7575]

artists releasing multiple versions of a single annoys me. I know they're "playing the game" but chopped and screwed , sped up, slowed down, f-ing hell

[@music18021]

Yeah I'm getting sick of these becoming popular marketing gimmicks too like an instrumental & a clean version is enough lol maybe an extended mix for the clubs but we don't need sped up, reverb, or any of that other shit...it's all tiktok nonsense

[@crystalcastillo7575]

⁠@@music180211000% couldn’t agree more !!

[@lararenji8]

Billie eilish saying vinyls are wasteful, then releasing 15 vinyls is a pretty accurate description of the industry as a whole. 7:29

[@hassanmansour9857]

Do you not know how to read? Her vinyls are made of recyclable material smh

[@lati_3]

iirc though she used recycled black vinyl for the special editions

[@137rtekke7]

I’m a huge vinyl collector and although vinyl variants and variant collecting have gotten way out of hand now it still doesn’t bother me, nobody is forcing me to buy different variants and I don’t feel like a bad fan if I don’t and I think that should be the attitude for everyone. What does annoy me is when artists and websites label a vinyl as limited edition or super limited so people panic buy them and then that vinyl is being sold for more than half price months later.

[@jonoprakoso3921]

The problem is wasteful material also the process that harming environment, this many version aren't necessary and greedy, also even you don't feel forced to buy it, many other actually are cause their obsession to put her no 1, lnot to mention majority of her fans are teen who didn't have a stable income if they even have any

[@imnobodywhoareyouu]

Thanks!!! Everybody is acting like if you are forced to collect all the versions and no, just get one 🤷🏻‍♀

[@koiloylo]

@@jonoprakoso3921how is it wasteful if they’re all being sold though? most people won’t buy an album then send it to landfill

[@137rtekke7]

@@jonoprakoso3921Who are you talking about?

[@emilypeterson1133]

"Just the standard edition, no deluxe needed." I miss those days.

[@yurialencar143]

@@takecarebilly_which days tho? Deluxe edition exists probably way before you were even born.

[@youreonyourownkid1989]

Billboard just didn't want Katy to break MJ's record.

[@alecjameson7339]

well duh, why should she be allowed to release a song 2 years later and have it count lol

[@BeautyAnarchist]

I'm a huge MJ fan and Casual Katy Perry fan I would've loved to see Katy beat his record. Records are meant to be beat not upheld. I feel like there was some misogyny at play here.

[@oswiroa4973]

in the end the teenage dream songs are more remembered than most BAD singles so Katy won in my opinion

[@cookiecrispt]

The One That Got Away was almost there..

[@oswiroa4973]

@@cookiecrispt it was blocked by We found love it had no chance lol

[@oolongtea4013]

the vinyl variants thing gets on my nerves because vinyl makers cannot keep up w the demand, thus smaller artists are getting their stuff pushed out of the priority lists. also, as a fan it's just annoying when you can't just buy one edition with all the songs.

[@Mtv20O1]

Artists before Taylor have made multiple variants before. However, I do think Taylor has influenced many newer artists to do it. She out of everyone doesn’t need it, she makes enough money as it is. It’s also interesting that she’s the only one who is being attacked for it when artists like Olivia Rodrigo also had multiple variants. Olivia had the most in 2023. She put one extra song in four different vinyls without putting them on streaming services. Artists like them don’t need multiple ones because they will sell regardless and continue to make tons of sales.

[@userjoao]

shes getting more criticism because like you said, she set the standard. also she's the biggest artist doing this and arguably has the most variants on every release. vinyl records instantly remind me of taylor, for a reason

[@MoMo-rx4zr]

The difference is olivia had different colors of the same album plus the same album cover, so fans aren’t feeling as much fomo not buying every single vinyl. There’s a reason Midnights, 1989 TV, folklore, and ttpd are criticized, but Speak Now tv isn’t-and that’s the fact that speak now had the same cover with slightly varying vinyl colors. So you just pick your fave. With midnights she has the collect-em-all clock. However, because some fans are over it and are just now picking their favorites regardless, her new tactic is putting different songs on each variation so the only way to truly have the full album is buying them. The reason Taylor is the most heavily criticized is because she’s always paving the way for predatory marketing tactics to encourage purchases. Midnight was implied to be limited time variants, but ultimately wasn’t and then 3am tracks outside the vinyl to encourage stewaming. That’s when people started getting tired. With the midnights make-a-clock with all four, then 1989 48-hour-only sales, and now breaking the track list up among multiple variants, she’s consistently introducing new marketing tactics. I’m not even buying TTPD anymore.

[@Mtv20O1]

@@MoMo-rx4zr Olivia had four different vinyls that included one extra song as well as had different exclusive covers from different stores. I think both along with other artists who do this kind of suck because it is so unnecessary. Taylor needs to ultimately stop because out of all, she doesn’t need it. Also, like you said, she creates the blueprint for many artists to replicate her business strategies.

[@TaylorsSwiftie_13]

not to mention sour has 15 variants.

[@koiloylo]

@@MoMo-rx4zri think if you’re stupid enough to buy ten versions of the same album then that’s on you. most people i know only ‘picked their favourite’ 1989 vinyl as you say. the majority of normal people buy one album and that’s it, tiktokers just makes it seem like every fan is as insane as them

[@avery03]

I miss it when a standard and deluxe was released on the same day with a different cover.

[@MoonlightBrillance]

This trend is so consumerist and wasteful. We don’t need so many deluxe editions ugh.

[@dasia2345]

He finally acknowledged that Eternal Sunshine exists

[@Shal-qb8ly]

right? im wondering why he hasn't talked about eternal sunshine?

[@theeKPOPlover]

Right? Its such a good album!

[@f4gsforpele]

@@theeKPOPlover no it’s not 💀

[@sklymenko]

@@f4gsforpeleyes it is lol just cause you don’t like it that doesn’t mean it’s a bad album

[@f4gsforpele]

@@sklymenko 💀 this could just as easily be said in reverse. What makes your opinion the correct one? That album is loaded with cringy lyrics, with instrumentals that are mostly nothing special, and vocals that are far below what Ariola is capable of.

[@RagondinCosmopolite]

We needed a variant of that Chloe Grace Moretz clip 🤭

[@markramos1216]

The way I thought that was Sabrina Carpenter 😭

[@perryjones7771]

What movie is it from?

[@RagondinCosmopolite]

@@perryjones7771 I don't really remember anymore but I think it might be the Peripheral TV show.

[@music18021]

As a Swiftie when Taylor released 1989 back in 2014 and had this cute little idea to put 13 polaroids in each album and there was 65 polaroids to collect I thought that was genius marketing even though I only bought 1 album and didnt really got into the craze because im broke af lol the fact that fans were trading polaroids was kinda cool and yes a great marketing strategy but I feel like with each release now both with Taylor and other artists hopping on the marketing gimmicks its getting more and more standard and a total waste of money if you ask me like I'm a superfan but I dont waste my hard earned money to buy 4 or 5 of the same album to get whatever collecting gimmick there is (only did it once with Reputation when she had the 2 different magazines that came with the CD but that was it) especially the vinyls that are so expensive to get just 1 and it just starts fan drama as well where some fans feel superior over others because they bought every single version or variant of the same album and like thats not right you're no less of a fan because you didnt get every single album version or every kind of merch or couldnt afford to go to a concert like we are all equal here I feel like having 1 exclusive bonus track in each vinyl variant is kind of going a little too far for TPD Taylor really should have the bonus tracks on the one CD or vinyl its just too expensive but thats just me

[@xandroid87]

How fans seems buying her album not considering how horrible her voice are covered with layers and cringey songs

[@kattej837]

so true!! i liked the til dawn editions of midnight because it had everything on the album and it was nice to have all my favourites in one place, but TTPD is kinda crazy. I feel like if she wanted to do multiple album releases, she should've done it like midnights

[@music18021]

@@xandroid87 and that's entirely your opinion 👍🏻👍🏻

[@music18021]

@kattej837 exactly tho I feel like later on she'll release all the bonus tracks she usually does when she puts out exclusive music she did the same with The Lakes and yes with Hits Different & You're Losing Me so I'm not losing hope lol

[@WJSN_officiaI]

While in the topic of oversaturation and mass release of different versions of a single album, I'd like to see you talk about the malicious practices that K-pop companies partake on in order to boost physical sales. The thought of having merchandise bundled with the album CD in itself is actually convenient and fun, but the way companies exercise it is beyond disappointing and disorienting. Take the group Seventeen for example, they have 13 members in total which would technically amount to 20+ versions since every album has a unique member photocard inside the package. And here's the mind-boggling thing: in one of their albums, each members had around 7 photocards, which meant there were 91 photocards in total and hence, 91 versions of the album to collect. Also, what photocard you will get isn't up to you, it's a complete gamble meaning you'd probably have to buy the physical album multiple times to get the particular photocard you want. It's absolutely disgusting how companies take advantage of artists and their fans for the sake of profit.

[@crystalcastillo7575]

2 years to to release a deluxe is crazy KATY

[@Magentamagnet]

Wait till you found out how much time SZA takes for deluxe 😭

[@cookiecrispt]

What? That was the smartest decision she could've made! She had #5 number ones (TD, CG, ET, LFN, Firework) and 1 top 5 (The One That Got Away). Had she released the deluxe any sooner than she did, she would've most likely been down a # 1, as it would've most likely interfered with Last Friday Night, or E.T, and might've kept either from hitting #1, or even both. Instead she waited till she seen The One That Got Away wasn't going to reach #1, and then came with the deluxe and gained yet ANOTHER #1 with Part of Me. Super smart move.

[@AshkanPacino13]

I remember how back when Taylor released so many remixes for Willow you predicted this will become the norm soon, and here we are 4 years later and that's exactly what happened lol.

[@christopherproietti645]

As a long-time Gen X music collector of vinyl and CD's, I am dealing with anniversary and deluxe reissues of albums that I originally got in the 80's and 90's. Seminal albums like Nirvana's Nevermind have already had substantial deluxe reissues for its 20th and 30th anniversaries (both with exclusive content) and will continue to get released for future milestone anniversaries. IT WILL NEVER END as music labels make a LOT of money off their legacy artists' back catalog. Since streaming doesn't really pay much, current and younger artists most likely want multiple physical variants and editions released as they probably earn bigger percentages off sales.

[@lifeofthannerpeace5056]

HONEST ETENRAL SUNSHINE PLS

[@Verytechnic]

i like to buy records and CDs for the sake of having ownership over an album i like. i like to listen to artists that had their heyday decades before, and usually the special edition concerned with these releases that collectors scramble for are japanese releases with the obi and extra tracks included. it seems like CDs and vinyl records sold by present-day artists is not really special anymore if social media teenagers are always vying to look cool and "aesthetic" with the numerous special variants that go from translucent blue to a white-pink splatter. it's not exclusive for anybody anymore if there have to be so many different types of a single release over different mediums. what the case was when vinyl was the regular medium was just a standard black pressing and maybe a coloured edition sent to radio DJs or sold as a limited edition, but the circumstances now just don't make it unique anymore. there's no more clear line between a standard release and one that's special- no more exclusivity. that's my issue. collectibility went down the drain with the advent of social media kids going after records because it's cute and hip.

[@michaelnealis1926]

Japan always gets the best CD versions 😩

[@alejandrovallencci]

As a massive Taylor Swift fan, I’m really disappointed that she expects us to buy 4 copies of the same album just to hear the whole thing. That’s an EA/Activision level of greed

[@koiloylo]

surely you’ll be able to hear it all on streaming anyway? if you want a vinyl that badly then buy a standard one then listen to the bonus songs on spotify

[@MsDiMera2]

Why do you feel the need to buy them though. You can just stream the songs

[@stephenkeogh8311]

If you buy multiple variants of the same album, you have too much disposable income and/or incredibly stupid

[@caitlingill]

Yeah especially when the songs are the exact same and there aren’t even any exclusive tracks on either

[@koiloylo]

exactly 💀 like no one’s forcing you to buy them all, if you do then that’s on you and i won’t listen to you complain about having no money after dropping $80 of 4 of the same album

[@LeoMaraschino]

The only time I’ve bought multiple variants (and by multiple I mean 2) was to get an exclusive poster, and I got the standard black beforehand because it was 180 gram vinyl and I collect them for the sound quality & experience. I also loved the album (Ocean Blvd) so dearly that it was worth it. I think I’m gonna end up selling the version that came with the poster someday.

[@MsDiMera2]

I agree this is on the consumer , no one can force you to buy these albums , it's a choice

[@jaydenleckpa8381]

It's funny how people are like "you're making me go broke" when their favorite artist releases multiple vinyls. Just admit you're too obsessed or something

[@akashvalsan6609]

No Ariana Grande was harmed in this video 😂

[@stitch3297]

I remember when I pre-ordered one of the Midnights vinyls and then literally less than some hours after the initial midnights release, Taylor released the 3am version, and my vinyl had none of the additional songs, some of which ended up being my favorite. I thought since the 3am version was dropped within hours of the original midnights album and my vinyl hadnt even been shipped, that my vinyl would have those songs, but no, I learned I would have to buy a separate vinyl if I wanted all of those songs. Not that it affects her bottom line, but I've refused to buy her vinyls since

[@Gman1998]

I saw Taylor Swift had 4 different vinyl covers for midnights, and if you bought them all and put them together it made a clock. So she really wants you to buy 4 copies of the same album

[@reginoramos9030]

She's greedy like most

[@MsDiMera2]

But do you need a clock ? If you don't then don't buy them

[@user-uw1jl2ce2l]

And I hate Taylor swift too and her grandma Marjorie is in Hell

[@Sinking34]

​@@user-uw1jl2ce2l true

[@purpleclaws202]

​@reginoramos9030 girl taylor nor any other artist is begging for fans to buy em I don't understand the issue here

[@cookiecrispt]

It sucks that "The One That Got Away" only reached #3.. ALMOST made it to #1... Had it hit #1, Teenage Dream would've taken that record with the standard edition! Sharing the record with Michael Jackson is still a huge achievement though!

[@pratyushpavansaikia8161]

People be acting like they've been committing some crime. It's simply a product in the market. If you want to, buy it, if don't want to then don't. Customers aren't seems to be the one complaining. Why general public are offended?

[@whoasked6696]

It’s wasteful you’re forgetting

[@nonamecommenter]

Please address the JLO situation 😂

[@tajsimms8976]

What’s the tea?

[@thalia9789]

He was one of the first youtubers to talk about the ghost-singing years ago

[@starg47]

Taylor Swift releasing 4 different versions of the same album is just a cash grab to take advantage of her loyal fan base, even the Swifties can't deny this is true. Why not a deluxe version with all the bonus tracks, you don't need a different album for each bonus track, this woman is already a billionaire, If I was a Swifty I would be throwing a fit.

[@snapperchapper13]

we all know the bonus tracks we didnt get to hear will be uploaded onto KZbin anyway so the swifties including me that aren't stupid just buy one and are happy with it. And she put all the bonus tracks all onto streaming in the second part to the album too. tbh I don't really agree with her not telling us about the double album beforehand and other vinyl varients too tho, like Taylor you already have enough money... still im happy with the album and my varient cd I got looks very.... aesthetically pleasing :)

[@starg47]

@@snapperchapper13 I am happy you are pleased with your purchase, she needs to take a 1-2 year break like she did in 2017, she must be completely burned out and tired, she needs to leave her label, I don't believe it was her intention to make a 30 song album, she is rich and smart enough to run her own career, it will be much better for all of us.

[@starg47]

@@snapperchapper13 and I miss the times when artists released an album every 2 years, it felt like an event, we got music videos and interviews before the release, when she releases an album now it just feels like another day because she releases so much music now and of course the quality suffers, I did not like TPD, she must be exhausted. If I were a swifty I would want to her to go on a long vacation.

[@snapperchapper13]

@@starg47 Well she did say making music is her therapy. TTPD was alr for me, definitely not her best work but pretty good after a few listens. Also by the other albums she put out I think you mean her rerecordings? Keep in mind the last time she put out a COMPLETELY NEW ALBUM was October 2022, nearly 2 years ago. Her rerecordings don't take as much time since the songs are already made, they just have to remake them. And Taylor is still on tour for the rest of this year. The only person that has a say on what Taylor does is herself so I guess it's up to her what she does next. She is busy but we can only assume she is happier when she is busy as it keeps her mind off of Joe or anything else (idk, just a guess)

[@starg47]

I am glad you liked TPD, creating a 30 song albums from artists like TS is something very new and came about because of the streaming world, and I don't think you understand how record contracts work, when you're signed to a record label or make a deal with Spotify you have obligations, they don't give you all that money to do whatever you want, sure she has some freedom but she has to bring the bacon home, that money is in an investment and they're expecting you to make 2X 3X what they gave you, which I am sure TS has done already, but remember she is not independent, but I would love to see her leave the industry all together, she has enough money and fans, she does not need the industry, but she still has to make money for the big bosses, these are her hottest years, they're draining her before her popularity starts to go down, she will never be able to replicate her current moment, this is the peak of the mountain for her.

[@spicytomango]

A deluxe album tells you one of two things, either the original album was so good the artist wants to capitalize on it or the original performed poorly and the deluxe would help push it. Either way, it exposes how money driven the music industry is, it's no longer about the music itself. We used to have real talent giving us classic albums with no deluxe because the original was that good. Most songs today feel so mediocre I almost feel insulted listening to them

[@beautyholic5592]

it has never been about the music. labels have always been driven by profits, indie artists are the only ones who come up with innovative ideas that are appropriated by bigger artists.

[@spicytomango]

​@@beautyholic5592 FACTS!

[@revamped_mashups]

And that’s why people upload the songs to KZbin 😭 then we get all the songs without having to buy that vinyl

[@articulatenaila2437]

we love the michael jackson mention, i love your takes although sometimes i don't agree with some of them you remain professional and informed, we love to see it!

[@quinnmackay-smith9352]

Hey @honest, can you make the next new video called "Why is there no new bands that are popular anymore?" Please?

[@minxxd]

Flo is kinda popular but I wouldn’t say mainstream

[@lavaniadelrey2807]

Lana Del Rey never drops deluxe edition albums edit: meanies 😔 i meant to say anymore

[@LightestKing]

Are you a new fan? Born to Die had multiple variants in its own before being combined with the Paradise EP into the BTD: Paradise Edition. Ultraviolence also had the standard, deluxe, and Japanese Edition. She hasn’t made deluxe versions since though so you’re half right at least.

[@ducky19991]

This is pretty funny coming from someone with a paradise profile pic. Local

[@idunnowhattonamemyself-vr4qv]

@@ducky19991 well she never has since ultraviolence and that was literally a decade ago....

[@koiloylo]

there is literally a deluxe album of your profile picture

[@sourcandydoll]

The industry did Katy Perry wrong

[@ll4576]

Idc if a artist puts out 10 or 20 variants at the end of the day it doesn’t matter cause if people don’t buy your albums the amount of variants not gonna help you anyway. Taylor would still sell massive numbers with less variants same with Olivia or SZA. Someone like Chloe or Normani could put out 30 variants and she wouldn’t sell great

[@TheHonored01]

That's why people don't like it. They will sell regardless, so it is plain greedy to do that.

[@ll4576]

@@TheHonored01 cry me a damn river a vinyl isn’t gonna change the state of the world 🙄 crying about a damn vinyl while there are way bigger issues going on in the world

[@TheHonored01]

@ll4576 Exactly, we're in a recession, and these labels still have the audacity to release 10 versions of an overpriced album. It's tone deaf.

[@koiloylo]

@@TheHonored01no one’s forcing u to buy them tho? just wait until it’s on streaming

[@madalena1790]

@@ll4576 all of these things are made of plastic or non recyclable materials… so it it a problem. If the artists at least acknowledged the need for it to be eco friendly or sustainable then maybe ppl wouldn’t be as mad. Also let’s be real it’s just money hungry at this point… it’s ugly to see that from artists that seemed genuine and only about their art…

[@teqkilla]

That stupid Chloe moretz clip😭😭😭💀

[@liyahnicole3049]

it isnt the ONLY reason for sure, i contribute part of the increase in vinyl variants to the rise of kpop in the west. the practice of buying several albums to get photocards, posters, and other collectables is a stable in the kpop community and brings in a lot of money for artist/companies

[@danaejer]

I'm a 5sos fan and I'm extremely used to this practice. I believe that their record label applied the kpop trick until they went independent: Since they are 4 members, they would have the standard version of the album, the deluxe version of the album and 4 different Target versions of the album where only one of them would be in one of the covers, while also releasing a signed version of the deluxe album and/or of their solo cover album. Edit: I forgot to mention that that was just for cds. They also released vinyls, cassettes and digital copies.

[@sherydaunicorn1553]

Love this video!! Feels very fresh ❤

[@aSUGAaddiction]

As a kpop stan, this is standard practice, mostly for the photocards they put in.

[@mck9485]

As a collector of vinyl and cds I like the option of being able to pick your fav color record/album cover art. When we get into the territory of different content on each that’s when I get annoyed. Y’all I bought 4 CDs of the new upcoming Taylor Swift album bc each has a different “bonus track”. Like I know I need self control but also what the heck happened to one album and *maybe* one deluxe/special/RSD/etc. like if your gonna do it - just have ONE with extra content

[@avg5931]

Correction: Happier Than Ever have 15 variants, and just 4 are "friendly" with the planet

[@oaattas0]

Well.. look who changed for the environment ❤❤.. billie woke and made all her vinyls for her new album safe for the environment yet ur faves still didnt

[@redvelbeyexox]

Im loving the meme cuts 😭 keep editing like this 😂😂

[@fernandanascimento5712]

This strategy of releasing many versions of the same album is very normal in k-pop, American industry got inspired by them for sure. Some groups create one version for each member (like girls generation, who made 9 versions of I got a boy album in 2013). To boost even more the sales, the idols agencies create raffles to get fan meetings and video calls with the idols. The fans buy albums in bulk just to participate in the raffles and simply donate or throw everything in the trash afterwards, is pretty crazy 😂

[@WitchFlowerVal]

I just have a collector bug (and perhaps a sprinkle of fomo) so getting variants of vinyls with the only difference being the cover art and vinyl colour itself makes me happy. I'd only get ones of albums I really love though. Also Lana just released ANOTHER variant of the ocean blvd album in vinyl lol...Girls net worth is like 70% vinyl sales and 30% streams

[@kamrynn6382]

i bought an olivia rodrigo ‘GUTS’ variant and i thought it was fun whenever i heard “obsessed” for the first time on the vinyl and got to have my moment with it before it’s official release to everyone. i never thought the purpose was for fans to buy them all, if you’re that hardcore of a vinyl collector than yeah, go ahead but i think most people would just pick one with a song they liked most or felt drawn to. exclusivity is just fun and doing it through records is a nice way to incorporate something old and cute. i don’t think it’s as evil as y’all are making it seem.

[@jxstadri]

No cause the multiple versions of vinyls and albums have been like the most common thing in K-Pop for years now. They‘ll release 3-4 versions for an EP. And with these albums, there extras, photocards as an example. That‘s why some K-Pop grps have big pre-release sales cause fans want all the photocards and so on. I will literally only buy a K-Pop album if I really want to. And then just one version.

[@soukainazouggari2302]

Lana is doing diff colours to choose 1 not so that u buy THEM ALL tho

[@aidentan6547]

Honestly I think vinyl variants are fine it's been a thing for a long time before taylor - it's a collector's edition - a lot of special edition vinyl from the 80s are so hard to find they become so expensive for resell

[@AugustCrossroads]

Gotta exploit them dumb fans

[@LilyEvans1996]

We can just not buy them. Simple solution. And we can encourage younger listeners that they don’t need to buy all the variants to be considered true fans. The thing that is annoying is having a different song on a different variant exclusive to that variant

[@lukegerst6119]

Billie eilish: *says multiple vinyl variants is wasteful* Also Billie: *releases 10 different pressings of hit me hard and soft*

[@hellbyshortcake1321]

A great reason is depending on the album and its release date someday these vynils will remain discontinued so they start getting values in the pricetag. Look at all the vintage albums from the early 30s to 90s they all became rare and pricy so the boosting up about vynil variants rn is pretty reasonable bc once its sold out its sold out

[@nofx5695]

The whole LP’s as clock thing is so beyond ridiculous to me. And I really liked the album! I’m just not falling for the cash grab

[@Urfavswiftie13ts]

Yes Taylor has a million variants. Yes I have them all

[@snapperchapper13]

yes you are financially unstable and exactly what people mean when they say "swifties are annoying" 👍

[@donjai9366]

I actually think the way Dua Lipa releases a reissue is smart & that other artists should follow suit & do that as well 👍

[@CarlDillynson]

The “Is that something you want? Well you’re never gonna get it” regarding Katy Perry was hilarious xD

[@hamletvillilo5604]

Nobody is obligated to buy all the versions that the artists put out, it's the people who decide to buy 'em all, so it's fan's fault that labels feel the need of releasing so many versions of one album or one song 🤷

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

That stupid chloe mortez will never get old it hilarious 😂😭💀.

[@sickthiccboi8793]

Taylor releases TTPD with 5 variants of vinyl: ITS DISGUSTING, SHES MONEY HUNGRY. Dua releases Radical Optimism with 12 variants of vinyl: NO HATE ONLY CHEERS. Olivia released GUTS with 15 variants of vinyl: NO HATE ONLY CHEERS. Billie released HTE with 15 variants of vinyl: NO HATE ONLY CHEERS (and also in recent interview Billie told that her vinyls are recycled, but truth is only 2 variants of 15 is recycled lol)

[@-_frogii-_-]

12,15 and 15 Excuse moi

[@DanTheMan27]

Musicians are hardly ever paid as high as Taylor, Ariana, or Olivia so they have to resort to things like this. It’s actually not surprising seeing that the streaming era has made things worse for up and coming musicians

[@AugustCrossroads]

They wouldn't be up and coming if it wasn't for streaming. Unless they had some serious nepotist connections, no one would buy their music for $10 without even knowing who they are.

[@daraudobong7195]

@@AugustCrossroadsgood point

[@desmondho8264]

Atp it’s not about music no more. It’s all about transaction.

[@crystalcastillo7575]

taylor making her fans purchase. a different vinyl for one song is crazy. greedy even. capitalist tingz

[@midnights31]

She's not pointing a gun at your head at forcing you to purchase pls calm down

[@imnobodywhoareyouu]

I'm a swiftie and never felt forced to buy anything

[@midnights31]

@@imnobodywhoareyouu I'm a Swiftie and I own nothing from her no vinyls, merch or anything

[@somber087]

shes knows her fans are stupid, shes taking advantage of it

[@imnobodywhoareyouu]

@@somber087 now say it without crying

[@LeemareWashingtion-tw6qg]

I think this is to feel the artist's catalog

[@TheRibottoStudios]

I think what is happening these days compared to the past, is we're much more aware of the consumerist mentality some people tend to have. And ever since the pandemic especially, people just don't have the time or money to clog up their homes with unnecessary stuff. My dad always said when you are thinking about getting something, is it something you WANT or NEED. If it's sat in your cart for a few days and you haven't even thought about getting it? It's a want. And too many people still have that "want" mentality than "do I need this" mentality. And as a long as those people buy these needless deluxe vinyl records, the problem will persist. It's all about voting with the wallet.

[@victoriab637]

the background in the thumbnail is kind of a jumpscare

[@juxemz3388]

Comparing Olivia to Taylor, olivia is a new artists, started back in 2021, she's still new to the industry, so her doing this makes a bit of sense, she didn't grew up rich (correct me if I'm wrong) and she had to give royalties to other artists she "sample"/"stole", Taylor swotch on the other hand is a billionaire, for her to still do this practice is comes as greedy and not a good image to that girlnextdoor (she's 33 btw), girl grew up rich, she's been rich, snd getting rich, of course people gonna have more issues with a not so ethical billionaire over an artist who just started, both are still exploitive but one is worse than the other.

[@SarahPaceSings]

Olivia is from disney (she starred on a kids show) so maybe thats why theyre being compared

[@mhmhmbmltfapomtydt]

lmao you’re so bitter taylor is not in any way worse or more greedy than the other popstars

[@selalewis9189]

Meanwhile, I’m just waiting for vinyl re-issues of _Wildheart, Beyoncé_ and _Channel Orange_ These albums need time to marinate, and these vinyl variants dilute the legacy of these albums.

[@mike._is_my_name]

can we talk about how dua lipa released like 20 vinyl variants of her new album radical optimism? i mean i love her but thats a lot and her deluxe vinyl wich isnt even a deluxe with like more songs or anything its just a diferent coloured vinyl costs 60 bucks? thats a price thats over the roof and her team motivates her fans to buy more and more by putting her signed art ard or insert into the packaging

[@edsterrock]

The only album vinyl variant I got was the Target edition of the new Bleachers album and the upcoming Wallows album that features one of the band members off the cover (Braeden Lemasters). I only got the Wallows vinyl variant because Braeden is my favorite member of the band. I have very little desires to get other vinyl variants unless it appeals to me. And yes, it's starting to get to a point where it is starting to go too far.

[@stereohype1]

Kylie Minogue is no stranger to deluxe, special edition and variant releases

[@yeah79165]

As a massive Kylie fan I have to agree on this she usually releases 3-4 original songs and then remixes

[@nwlondonmetaller3427]

The many record variants, from covers to colours of record, has gone out of hand. It is costly for the fan who rarely listens to that just one artist. The fan feels obligated to purchase, pushing them into debt. I see the similar problem with CD’s. I remember Taylor Swift - Folklore, with 8 different sleeves. I said to myself, why did I buy all this. It is crazy, I am only going listen to one and other versions will just gather dust. One thing I do notice with Record Labels in the Commercial Music Industry, none present the ultimate presentation format, the Artbook / Earbook. Also, the other is the boxset, with the vinyl and cd put together, with other bonus items thrown in, put in a wooden or glossy cardboard box. This is common with Metal labels: Napalm Records, Nuclear Blast, AFM, etc.

[@hey-zel]

The Katy clip of her getting murdered by slim never fails to crack me up

[@youcanthandlethetruth1]

not to mention all of this is harmful to the environment - excess packaging, plastic, the transport (fuel) to get the stock to the stores, the shipping so it reaches stores worldwide. the artists care about the money, meanwhile we are sucking on paper straws and converting to electric vehicles. quite frankly, i've had enough.

[@filipmarinkovic6281]

some forgot that katy ruled 2010 and 2011. ofc she would wait for 2012 to drop a ressue bc her singles were dominating the charts before that. anyway, KP6 is coming soon, yall better make it much bigger than Witness and especially Smile...

[@stream.time.slip.to.end.cancer]

my faves made 19 versions of the same album, i was waiting for someone to adress this problem

[@donjai9366]

Hi Honest Can we get a Eternal Sunshine review please & a video on George Michael and his impact on the music industry similar to a documentary. 😁

[@chichilafemme6336]

I’m a be a bit nuanced here. I’m surprised it’s becoming more popular as physical album sales have declined greatly since it’s now an archaic way of listening to music. But instead of an equal value sub replacing it, streaming doesn’t make the artists a lot of money at all. So right now, tours and merchandise is the main way artists make money, and even labels are becoming more greedy to take a bigger cut of those. And labels these days have these huge contracts but barely put in the work the way they used to, are only signing artists with an online following. So I’m not surprised this is how they are adjusting. It’s can get a bit greedy yes, and it’s def wasteful but if you gotta make money Also at the end of the day, no one is forcing anyone to buy multiple versions of an album. I myself don’t really buy albums or vinyls in general. So you also have to blame the people who buy multiple versions of one album.

[@alexcal24]

Loved the memes interjected throughout. To the main theme - I must be the only person alive who doesn't care about Taylor anymore or her 1000 variants. I hate her greed and before Swifties come for me, come on you feel the same don't you? You're not gonna buy TTD x4 times to own all tracks are you?? I don't mind Deluxe Editions per se, when I buy an album I usually wait for the deluxe instead of the standard version, however long this might take. I very much dislike the Tik Tok trend of speeding or slowing songs down. I just wish that would STOP, PERIOD.

[@kattej837]

As a swiftie, I liked how album variants worked up until TTPD. Billie Eilish spoke about it being wasteful and I agree. Personally, if an artist wants to do album variants, i liked the way taylor swift did the midnights til dawn edition, which had all of the main songs plus the ones added in the 3am edition plus the ones added for the til dawn bit. Fans will have all their music in one place.

[@oaattas0]

+ billie said it will be better if its safe for the environment!! Midnights and all other vinyls from different artists use wastefel material for vinyls which effects nature a lot!! Billies new album HMHAS is harm-free for the environment ❤❤

[@kattej837]

@@oaattas0 yeppp, it wouldn't take a lot to use recycled material

[@farhanfmx]

I suppose for Taylor she has to maintain her power in the industry and this is done by having exclusive tracks in separate vinyls. A bit sketchy but the label may demand something like this.

[@ATWTMVTVFTVSGAVRALPS]

Kpop albums have variants for each member and there are hardcore fans out there who'd do anything just to get them all

[@JAZZYJSCOOBY]

I really hate this new trend in music, and to me, it's greedy and a way to cheat the charts just to hit #1. I also miss the days when songs were over 3:30 long.

[@fvfvfvf9581]

Dua Lipa at least puts some hits to make those versions reasonable enough to be bought by fans, unlike Taylor. Taylor literally puts like two song max per version even though she is a damn billionaire.

[@AugustCrossroads]

Yeah but would've could've should've is her best track Except yk there's only one new track in each variant so the other 3 vinyls are just cash grabs

[@fvfvfvf9581]

@@AugustCrossroads exactly that’s what I’m saying

[@sunnyincognito9260]

i feel like 4-5 is enough, you do NOT need more than that

[@oswiroa4973]

Normalise one deluxe version and nothing else

[@MicahMelodic]

Okay vocabulary!! 👏👏👏

[@mynameissammmm704]

The Iyanla clip took me out lmaooo

[@PrakharPal_]

It's funny how at 5:40 SOUR has 11.6 million streams😂😂

[@ericalund226]

I think that vinyl variants are awesome for collectors or even if you just want one cool color, but putting exclusive songs on them sucks for the consumer

[@yungaj6166]

K-Pop been doing this. The west just decided to copy them, it’s not a good thing at all, I’m just saying, one of the many terrible practices of K-Pop.