Am I the only one who thinks record labels make albums way too damn expensive these days? I mean this is the exact reason why people illegal download music cause that **** is way too expensive if I'm being honest.

Yes, albums should cost like 5€ physically imo

It hasn't changed, though, when you think about inflation, the cost of living is higher now anyway. Everything is more expensive. But if they want people to buy albums, they should lower the cost

YES. ARTPOP is $18 at Best Buy. WTF.

I buy western albums digitally I see no point in another lame ass jewel case for 20 dollars.
Kpop cds are more interesting so I will buy those they at least try with their packages.

No not really
I mean look @ the stuff u buy, a shose for 30$ or anything else ! And albums cost like what?
It's really nothing compare to the things we buy

Just think about the time, money and work (most) artists and producers/labels put into albums. Some artists take years of writing and producing until they put out an album, that people listen to for a long time. Plus, if compare what you spend for other things, it's not that much
The price is appropriate imo

why is it that back then people actually buy albums the same price as today but people today don't buy?

what if the product is horrible then? we wasted money on a horrible album

Then don't buy it, no one forced you

For the crap filler they put on there, YAH.

Thing is the record labels still need to make a profit to support the producers, writers, artist, etc. As well they need to make even, and it may seem expensive to you but most of the time that's probably the lowest they can afford to set the prices of the album so they don't lose money.

Because we have things called Internet, YouTube and pages where you can illegally and easily download music?

I think $10 should be the average price of albums

If the prices get lowered to $10 y'all will be complaining and saying that they should be $7 max etc. The point is thar record labels need to make money to cover their costs. Lowering the prices of albums probably won't raise demand enough to offset the loss in profits

Girl just because you spend years making something doesnt mean you get more $$$. I can spend years making a statue, but if someone else makes a better one in 2 days, they get more $$$.

I think music and packaging are a big part in why people are not buying in physical as much as they used to.
Back in the 90's we didn't have the resources we do now so we can listen to entire albums without even buying it which is good and bad.

Before the digital era went full swing we took our chances and bought the album that is no longer a thing.

Some albums are way too expensive, but most are fairly priced, in my opinion. It depends on how new they are. These days, they'll discount it for the first few weeks to be around $8-$12, and then it goes back up to $13+ depending on the artist. If albums were priced between $6-$10, they would probably sell better. And digital albums are WAY too expensive. There's no reason somebody should be paying $17.99 for a digital copy of an album that they never really own.

That's an issue as well, which is also part of why people by singles from them.
Beyonce had the right idea have it album only for a couple weeks then you can buy the individual songs. But it has to be worth it price wise.

I think Labels could make some slight changes that would help a lot.