Music purchases of the '90s and early 2000s

CDS

Think of the shiny discs that replaced cassettes and held your favorite albums before digital downloads took over.

This clue refers to the physical music format that dominated sales in the 1990s and early 2000s before digital downloads took over. "CDs" (compact discs) were the go-to way to buy albums, replacing cassettes and vinyl for most listeners during that era. The answer plays on nostalgia for the time when music stores were filled with shiny plastic cases and jewel cases were a common sight. It’s a straightforward reference—no wordplay, just a direct nod to a cultural staple of the period.