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So, if vinyl collecting is a little on the expensive side (and I’ll be the first to admit it – roll on payday), then what about dabbling in the somewhat overlooked world of CD collecting?
Though perhaps not as ‘on trend’ as the vinyl format in recent years, there is a renewed interest in the format, with younger generations now rediscovering the ubiquitous disc that can be played almost anywhere.
Be it a DVD player, a Discman, or the car stereo, the format is undergoing a bit of a resurgence this year, with Gen Z sharing their latest CD finds on TikTok or Instagram. And with charity shops across the United Kingdom often offering a wide selection of CDs for very little, perhaps now is as good a time as any to hop aboard the bandwagon while it's gaining momentum?
We’ve consulted Discogs – any excuse for this writer to visit – to find out what CD releases are currently on the most Wantlists on the online marketplace.
But before you think you’ve scored something valuable, remember to check the pressing date using matrix codes or catalogue numbers, verify the pressing location, and, above all, assess the CD's condition. A CD resembling a drinks coaster won’t elicit the response you're hoping for…
So, what 17 CD releases are Discogs users looking for in May 2025? Read on to find out!
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13. Gorillaz - Demon Days (2005 Europe Original Pressing with Copy Protection)
While a more recent release, early European pressings with the controversial copy protection are now somewhat of a novelty and a marker of the era's digital rights management debates. Some collectors seek these out specifically for their historical context within the CD format's evolution and the album's significant cultural impact. Later pressings without the copy protection are more common. 🔎 106499 Wants | Getty Images
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14. Nirvana - MTV Unplugged In New York (1994 US Original Pressing)
Released posthumously, this album is a poignant and intimate document of Nirvana's artistry. Original US JVC pressings are valued for their audio quality and as a stark reminder of the band's lost potential. The emotional connection fans have with this performance amplifies its collectability. 🔎 157266 Wants | Getty Images
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15. Metallica - Metallica (The Black Album) (1991 US Original Pressing)
This album propelled Metallica to mainstream superstardom. Original US Elektra pressings are sought after as the initial physical manifestation of this massive cultural phenomenon. The album's enduring popularity and the band's iconic status fuel demand. 🔎 163989 Wants | Getty Images
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16. Nirvana - In Utero (1993 US Original Pressing)
As Nirvana's final studio album, In Utero carries a different weight. Original US pressings represent the band's raw and uncompromising artistic statement before Kurt Cobain's tragic death. This rawness, coupled with the band's legend, makes these CDs highly collectible and a testament not just to the band but it's engineer, the late Steve Albini. 🔎 188221 Wants | Getty Images
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17. Nirvana - Nevermind (1991 US Original Pressing)
This album's cultural impact is immense, single-handedly shifting the music landscape. Early US pressings manufactured by DADC are often sought after as the very first commercially available CDs of this iconic album, with some very early pressings of Nevermind omitting the hidden track Endless, Nameless at the end of Something in the Way. 🔎 485146 Wants | Getty Images