Vinyl sales in the UK have hit a new stride, and leading the charge is none other than Taylor Swift. According to data released by the Official Charts Company ahead of Record Store Day 2025, Swift’s 2022 album Midnights has sold more vinyl copies than any other new release in the last decade, with 129,000 copies sold.
This isn’t a one-off win. Swift has three albums in the top four best-selling new vinyls from the past ten years and Midnights at number one, The Tortured Poets Department close behind, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) also making the cut. She has comfortably outpaced major artists like Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, David Bowie, and Ed Sheeran.
Midnights tops the UK vinyl charts as Taylor Swift drives a new wave of record-buying among fans Youtube
The popularity of vinyl itself is also seeing a dramatic comeback. In 2024 alone, 6.7 million records were sold in the UK, nearly five times more than in 1994. Although new releases are making waves, industry insiders note that most vinyl sales still come from older catalogue albums that don’t appear on this list.
Record Store Day, now in its 18th year, continues to play a key role in celebrating the format. On April 12, over 270 independent record shops across the UK will take part, hosting special events and releasing exclusive vinyls.
This year, there's also a spotlight on record store culture with a 12-part YouTube series titled Behind The Counter. Each episode, dropping every Tuesday in the run-up to Record Store Day, brings out the people and stories behind beloved indie music shops.
Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition)youtube.com
Meanwhile, sustainability is also getting attention. A new recycling initiative, supported by UK indie shops and led by Key Production Group, is collecting damaged or unwanted vinyl and CDs. These are typically made from plastics that can take centuries to decompose, so the scheme is a step towards reducing the format’s environmental footprint.
With vinyl clearly thriving and Taylor Swift at its forefront, it’s evident that fans aren’t just streaming but they’re collecting. Swift's presence across the decade's top vinyls is a sign of how physical music continues to matter in the digital era.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.