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Sense & Sound: Five Ways into Taiwanese Pop Musicof art meant to be understood and cherished. It allows the music not only to be heard, but also to bring the listener closer to the music.The Evolving Role of Physical Music in the New EraRecord stores were once key hubs of pop culture and gathering spots for music lovers. While physical stores may now seem in decline, they have gained a new kind of emotional resonance. Tsan-Pin Yu recalls how, when Mayday held a concert in Taichung, fans flocked to his store after a social media post revealed that it carried the band%u2019s cassette tapes. Some came to request songs, some to warm up before the show, and others to relive the concert%u2019s atmosphere. At a pop-up event in Hong Kong, his full collection of Leslie Cheung cassette tapes drew fans of all ages, turning the store into an impromptu gathering for the late star%u2019s admirers. These experiences made him realize that record stores are no longer just places to buy music.At the same time, cassettes, CDs, and vinyl records are being used in more diverse contexts. Tsan-Pin Yu notes that some artists repurpose blank cassettes as performance props, looping recordings live onstage and turning the format itself into a creative tool.Jim Chang has observed a growing trend of using physical media as elements of atmosphere, appearing in hotels, barber shops, and caf%u00e9s. Simply placing a tape deck or record player in a space can conjure a sense of time and texture. He laughs that the changes have outpaced anything he could have imagined, but he%u2019s trying to keep up. He has also discovered how more and more young people are engaging with music not for sound quality or nostalgia, but simply to find their own way of connecting with it. These formats are no longer just containers for music. They%u2019ve become expressive tools for a new generation, acts of choice, and acts of self-expression.A physical album carries the full effort of an artist. Through its cover, lyrics, and track list, fans can truly engage with the album. That%u2019s one of the reasons I%u2019m so passionate about promoting vinyl.%u2014Jim Chang