277-279

Chapter 277: Physical Album 

Kane couldn’t believe his eyes. Following behind Sophie, his footsteps hesitated for a moment. She had already eagerly blended in with the others, laughing and chatting freely. The small plaza in front of the supermarket echoed with their unrestrained voices, rising brightly into the night air. 

“Excuse me… are you all here to buy the album?” 

Even though Kane asked the question himself, he could hardly believe it—because it sounded like something straight out of a fantasy. 

Kane was a devoted music enthusiast. Unlike Sophie, his love for music ran deep. He regularly visited specialty record stores to hunt for albums—cassette tapes, CDs, vinyl—nothing was off-limits. Whether it was classic records, trendy new releases, obscure underground bands, or Billboard chart-toppers, he collected them all. As long as he liked the sound, he’d add it to his collection. 

At home, Kane had a bookshelf neatly filled with his growing collection—currently just over a hundred albums. Every cent of his allowance and part-time income was invested in his two greatest passions: collecting albums and attending live concerts. 

Music was Kane’s deepest, most genuine source of joy. 

And precisely because of this passion, Kane fully understood the current crisis faced by the traditional—or rather, physical—music market. 

From the rise of digital formats to the rapid development of the internet, and then the emergence of portable music players like the iPhone, the music industry had undergone a massive transformation in just five short years since the dawn of the 21st century. 

Nowadays, people had grown used to downloading music online. Debates about the pros and cons of digital versus physical albums kept surfacing, yet before those debates could settle, a new wave had already arrived: streaming. 

Led by platforms like Spotify, a new era of music consumption—“don’t download, just stream”—was rapidly gaining traction. While Spotify still held a relatively small market share, the concept of streaming was increasingly influential. Slowly, even digital download markets were being chipped away. 

One wave hadn’t yet receded before the next swept in. 

As a result, the number of listeners willing to walk into a record store to buy a physical album was steadily declining. Even those who still bought physical albums often preferred the convenience of online shopping, clicking a few buttons at home instead of stepping outside. Album sales had plummeted year after year, and physical record stores had been closing one after another. 

Gone were the days when, like in the 1995 romantic film Before Sunrise, a couple could wander through a record store, discovering hidden gems and sharing headphones in a cramped listening booth—moments where music brought people closer, emotionally and physically. 

Now, life was more convenient, but people felt more distant than ever. 

The joy of unexpectedly discovering a classic record or a brilliant artist in a record store—a joy Kane deeply cherished—was something younger generations might never fully understand. 

In 2006, one of North America's largest record store chains, Tower Records, filed for bankruptcy—yet in Japan, the world’s second-largest market for physical albums, Tower Records thrived after being acquired by a Japanese company. Not long after, another North American giant, Virgin Megastore, also shut down its physical locations, moving entirely online. 

And even after years of cutting back to preserve its UK base, the world’s largest record chain, HMV (His Master’s Voice), could no longer hold out. Just last week, HMV made a final appeal to the major record labels led by Universal Music, requesting a £40 million bailout to survive. If that fails, HMV too would file for bankruptcy—signaling the fall of the world’s last major physical record store chain. 

To the record companies, this wasn’t just another business loss—it was a crucial turning point. Physical album sales still held strategic value, not only for newly released music but also for reissues of classic records. 

No one yet knew how the record giants would respond, but it was clear that the industry had entered a brand new era. The decline of physical albums was much like that of comic books, pocket novels, or newspapers—slowly fading in the rushing tide of history. 

Kane wasn’t against digital music. He appreciated the convenience of online access. But that didn’t diminish his love for physical albums. 

The album cover design, booklet photos, the feel of the materials in his hands, the richness of real-life color—none of it could be replicated by digital files. And the warm, analog texture of vinyl? That was a magic digital formats could never match. 

If he found a physical album he loved, Kane would never hesitate to buy it. 

But Kane knew his opinion wasn’t representative of the majority—if it were, the record store industry wouldn’t be in such decline. 

And now, standing before this lively crowd, he could hardly believe what he was seeing— 

At 2 a.m.? 

A group of people gathered outside a supermarket, just to buy a physical album? Sitting around on the ground like vagrants, excitedly chatting and laughing? Not just one or two of them—fifteen? 

And they weren’t silent or bored. On the contrary, everyone was animated and thrilled, talking like old friends at a fan club gathering. 

The scene reminded Kane of the times he browsed albums at record stores—how true fans always found each other there. 

Goodness… Kane had never stayed for post-concert gatherings before. He always left quietly, alone. 

So what had he been missing all this time? 

Was this… some kind of “Alice in Wonderland” version of a concert? 

His heart began to pound wildly—strong and fast—as if it wanted to burst through his chest. Without even realizing it, a wave of anticipation and excitement surged through him, washing away his fatigue completely. 

278 Shared Interests 

“Excuse me… are you all here to buy the album?” 

As soon as he asked, Kane felt a strange nervousness, mixed with anticipation. His emotions were a mess—hopeful and anxious all at once. 

“Of course. What else would bring us to Walmart in the middle of the night?” 

“Well, who knows? Maybe you’re here to grab that $1,999 LCD TV.” 

“Hey! I’m not that fancy. Even if I were lining up for Black Friday, I’d be after the $499 home theater system.” 

Hahaha! 

A burst of laughter erupted. 

Kane felt a bit lost in the chatter. Then a young man beside him, with long, light brown hair and a goatee braided into two tiny plaits, patted his arm and said with a grin, “Don’t mind them. They’re just a bunch of weirdos—no wonder none of them have girlfriends.” 

“Hey!” 

“What did you just say?” 

“Don’t act like you’re Mr. Popular.” 

Grumbling and playful teasing filled the air, and Kane couldn’t help but laugh along. 

The guy with the braided goatee extended his right hand. “Josh Harms.” Kane shook it and introduced himself in return. 

Josh continued, “Tonight’s concert was amazing. I’d definitely regret it if I didn’t buy the album to keep. I have to say—One Day King’s live performance was absolutely mind-blowing, especially that last song. Unforgettable!” 

His words weren’t overly flowery, but the sincerity made them all the more powerful. Kane’s eyes lit up instantly. “You thought so too? That last song, My Demon, it was like a brain-melter. The raw emotion in that scream from the shadows—just intense. Ronan’s stage presence and control are insane. My brain just shut down.” 

“Exactly!” Josh got so excited he jumped up and down, waving his arms like he couldn’t contain himself. 

“Ronan is a genius! God, he’s a real genius. Born for the stage. Have you seen how he is off-stage? Just your regular boy-next-door—like the Harvard-bound kid in the neighborhood. Doesn’t party, doesn’t smoke or drink. Then he gets on stage, and BOOM—he transforms. That explosion of energy—wow—I was completely blown away.” 

As Josh rambled on, Kane could feel his joy and excitement, and it lifted his own spirits too. 

Night deepened. The whole city seemed to drift into sleep. After all, this was Washington, not New York. Once past midnight, the city practically shut down. Even the streets were empty, giving the eerie illusion of a ghost town. 

Yet in a corner of this quiet city, outside a Walmart store, a group of young people—looking like a bunch of scruffy vagrants—gathered together. No campfires, no blankets, just shivering bodies in the freezing cold, chatting away passionately. Somehow, their animated discussions seemed to ward off the chill better than any winter coat. 

They sat or stood in a circle, huddled together for warmth. Despite the biting wind, they looked like they were relaxing on a sunny beach, legs crossed, faces lit with joy—enjoying every moment of their shared madness. 

Eventually, the dark blue sky in the east gave way to pale white, and golden sunlight began to tear through the night. As the world brightened, their energy still hadn’t faded. 

It had been a night of epic proportions—an exhilarating concert, a surprise backstage meetup, and a passionate fan discussion that turned into an all-nighter. Their spirits had ridden an emotional rollercoaster, yet they weren’t tired or sleepy. If anything, they felt even more awake, ready to go another eight hundred rounds. 

It was like something out of the Before Sunrise trilogy—when like-minded souls come together, time loses meaning. You can talk all night without noticing the hours fly by. Just the pure joy of connection. 

That’s how it was for them. Just sharing thoughts and feelings—about One Day King, about the band, the show, the music, the album, their dreams, and life itself. Somehow, in each other, they found reflections of themselves. 

The conversation never stopped. They didn’t even notice the sun had risen. 

Only their greasy faces and bloodshot eyes gave away the wildness of the night. A night they’d probably never forget. 

And then—the store opened. 

“Sophie!” 

Kane patted Sophie on the shoulder. He had worried she might be worn out after such an emotional night, but she was even more energized than him. She sprang to her feet and bolted toward the store entrance like a rocket. In a blink, she was gone. 

Blink. Blink. 

Kane sat there blinking in surprise. He had to admit, he was amazed all over again. So many new experiences packed into one night—he’d probably need some time to process it all. Then he stood up and followed the others into the store. 

The Walmart employee who came to unlock the doors stared in confusion at the disheveled crowd. His head swirled with question marks. What just happened? He couldn’t remember any big discount promotion today… Was he mistaken? 

Sophie ran like the wind—only to realize once inside, she’d never actually been to this Walmart before and had no idea where anything was. She grabbed a passing employee and politely asked, “Excuse me, where’s the music section?” 

The staff member pointed her in the right direction. Sophie darted off like a whirlwind, disappearing in seconds, leaving the employee baffled. 

“...Wait. Did Justin Bieber drop a new album or something?” 

Sophie made a quick detour but still managed to find the music section. She started searching anxiously: 

“One Day King… One Day King… One Day King…” 

She could only hope silently in her heart that she’d find their album here. But after a quick sweep of the area, nothing. Her heart sank. Disappointment crept in. 

Then—Kane’s voice called from across the aisle. 

“Sophie, over here.” 

Instantly, Sophie stood up straight. Her sunken heart came back to life. 

279 – Band Characteristics 

Found it! 

Sophie’s eyes landed on the album in front of her. It was so close she could reach out and grab it, yet she suddenly felt nervous, hesitating to touch it. Her heart began to tremble slightly—an unfamiliar mix of anxiety and anticipation surged within her, both unsettling and exhilarating. 

“I really didn’t expect it to be this style. No wonder we couldn’t find it,” Kane mumbled beside her. Sophie nodded absentmindedly in agreement, too focused on the album to respond properly. She just gave a vague nod, not even sure if Kane noticed. 

Indeed, neither of them had anticipated that One Day King’s album would be designed like this. 

In the vast expanse of space depicted on the cover, Earth could be seen faintly in the distance, with shards of a shattered space station scattered across the scene—like the aftermath of a massive catastrophe. 

But that was just the background. At first glance, it didn’t jump out. The deep blacks clashing with soft blues created a mysterious, awe-inspiring vibe. The fragments of the space station glowed faintly, exuding a grand, dreamy atmosphere. 

More intriguing was the fact that the focal point of the cover wasn’t obvious. Just a few coin-sized black dots scattered in the endless void. The figures inside bulky space suits were almost indistinguishable, though the composition subtly hinted at something deeper. 

At the bottom of the image, in a font reminiscent of a sci-fi blockbuster, the album’s title stretched across: Seven. Beside it was the band’s name, One Day King, followed by a row of signatures—those of the band members. You’d have to look closely to notice they were real autographs, neatly aligned. 

The clever design deserved praise. Clean, elegant, and artistic. Yet, the details were so subtle that unless you were right up close, you wouldn’t notice them at all. 

From a distance, it just looked like a generic space image. The album title and band name weren’t eye-catching. It didn’t stand out in the sea of other records. Plus, the store hadn’t given it any special placement—just stacked it like any other item on the shelf. One Day King had no prime real estate, just a single slot. For casual browsers, it was easy to overlook. 

No wonder Sophie missed it the first two times she circled the area. 

Wait—what was that? 

Sophie seemed to have discovered something. She picked up the album. Immediately, she felt its solid weight in her hands. Her chest fluttered with excitement, but now wasn’t the time to savor it. She brought the album closer, squinting with furrowed brows, her intense concentration giving her the look of someone needing reading glasses. 

“Do you need a magnifying glass?” 

Kane asked seriously—though it sounded like a joke, and he couldn’t help chuckling. To his surprise, Sophie nodded earnestly. 

“I think... I actually might.” 

Other fans nearby began gathering around, chattering curiously. Even though there were more copies on the shelves, everyone crowded together, seemingly oblivious to how packed it was. 

Sophie didn’t notice the commotion behind her. Her entire focus was on the cover. “Look—there’s Ronan, there’s Maxim, and that one’s Cliff…” 

Following Sophie’s finger, the identities of the three black dots were gradually revealed. 

Josh squinted hard. His beard was in the way, so he lifted it up and stared again. Just before his eyeballs popped out, he finally made out the face. “...Ah! That’s Ronan!” Then he blurted out a thought, “Print quality’s great. Even at that size, the faces aren’t blurry.” 

Really? 

That’s the takeaway? 

Immediately, Josh felt the judgmental stares on him. He shrugged innocently, but everyone’s attention returned to the album in Sophie’s hands. 

She was right! 

Incredible! 

The black dot floating in the center of the cover was clearly a person drifting weightlessly. Even wrapped in a space suit, you could feel the tension in the body. And through the helmet, the face was unmistakably Ronan Cooper! 

Who would've thought the cover had hidden secrets? The band members portrayed as astronauts! So—what did that mean? Was it tied to the album’s theme? 

“Wait, where’s Ollie?” 

Kane was the first to notice something off. One, two, three—he counted again and again. Only three faces. Where was the fourth? 

Everyone looked up, exchanging confused glances. Their minds stalled. Then, like a wave, all eyes returned to the cover. The first thought was— 

Maybe Ollie’s hidden in one of the floating fragments, or inside the space station. Could the cover be telling a story? 

But after a thorough search, they were disappointed. Nothing. Until someone nearby spoke up, “Over here!” 

“Where?” 

Kane, Sophie, and the others swarmed toward the voice, not even looking at the person who spoke. Their eyes locked onto the album. 

The back cover. 

Not on the front—Ollie was on the back. 

The back cover mirrored the style of the front. The same deep, endless space. The majestic blackness brought a quiet stillness. What stood out was that unlike most albums, which list tracks on the back, One Day King boldly broke the norm. 

The entire back cover featured just a single figure floating alone in the vast dark. The sense of isolation and vulnerability was powerful and emotional. 

At the bottom, in clean, subtle text, the track list and “Atlantic Records” were displayed—like a true piece of art. Visual impact and composition were clearly prioritized over convention. The usual format was abandoned in favor of uniqueness and artistic vision. 

In an era where physical album sales are rapidly declining, this level of thought and effort in designing both cover and back is not only brave but shows the band’s true colors. Their willingness to break the mold and pursue genuine artistry is admirable. 

At that moment, Josh couldn’t resist anymore—he picked up a copy himself to get a closer look. Then, something caught his eye on the back. Just beneath the track list, the producers were listed. At the top of the list: 

Ronan Cooper. 

“Whoa!” 

Josh let out a gasp. Even though he was expecting it, seeing it confirmed still left him stunned. 

That single line said it all—Ronan wasn’t just the songwriter and composer. He was also the producer of the entire album. A completely different level of involvement and recognition.