[kdmccormick]

Well, even if you encoded the music digitally into the card, then it is still dependent on layers of complex software and hardware to decode and play it, so it's still ephemeral. If you wanted true physicality, then you'd etch the analog waveform onto the card. /s

Sarcasm aside, I am pretty sure "restore some kind of physicality" refers to how it allows one to physically browse through a stack of music choices with printed art instead of scrolling through Spotify. That sounds fun and meaningful in itself!

For folks who care about the literal digital or analog physicality of the music, there are always CDs and vinyl, respectively. I'm sure the author is quite aware of this.