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The recording industry reached a milestone of $11.5 billion in U.S. sales last year, propelled by the continued surge in vinyl records <\/a>and the enduring appeal of Taylor Swift. <\/p>\n Vinyl record sales accounted for more than a billion in U.S. sales in 2025, up more than 9%, according to the Recording Industry Association of America\u2019s annual report.<\/p>\n The U.S. generates nearly 50% of the format\u2019s global total, making it the leader among other physical music formats. This is also the first time vinyls have reached over $1 billion in revenue since 1983. <\/p>\n \u201cFans are consuming music from the artists they love in more ways than ever, and that passion is reflected in today\u2019s report. 2025 reveals a strong and stable music economy resulting from committed label investment and identification of new spaces to expand artists\u2019 creativity,\u201d Matt Bass, RIAA\u2019s vice president of research, said in a statement.<\/p>\n Though vinyl records continue to make a strong comeback, streaming made up more than 80% of total U.S. revenue. The number of subscribers to audio streamers like Spotify<\/a> or Apple Music saw an upswing, with paid streaming accounts generating about $6.4 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n Streaming revenue comprises more than 55% of total U.S. music sales. The U.S. is the largest paid subscription market.<\/p>\n Driving much of the streaming revenue growth was reigning popstar Taylor Swift, who earned the biggest album opening of all time<\/a> in 2025 with her 12th album, \u201cThe Life of a Showgirl.\u201d This record was previously held by Adele\u2019s \u201c25,\u201d which moved nearly 3.5 million units in its first week.<\/p>\n