VYNL is a new, invite only, and pretty interesting subscription service for record collectors. When you are invited to sign up for this service, you fill out a pretty lengthy profile that includes not only your likes and dislikes, but also links to all of your profiles on digital audio services such as Spotify and Sound Cloud. They then ask you to choose a "#VIBE," which is an activity that you would like them to select the music for, such as studying or pool party. They then select 3 new albums and send to you based on all these criteria. My mind was kind of blown by this concept, and I decided to give it a try!
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: VNYL
The Cost: $32 per month
The Products: Three BRAND NEW records chosen by a curator specifically for you, based on your profile, other digital audio services profiles, and selected "#VIBE" for that month
Ships to: US (free), and UK, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Australia, France, Canada at an additional cost
Ace is back this month as my curator! I chose #SOULFOOD as my "#VIBE" for this month. I was just in the mood for something different. Ace writes:
"Hey Anna, What up girl!? Have some dope #soulfood records for you to enjoy this month. You got singer songwriter vocal power-house Georgia Anne Muldrow. Next have Damon Aaron and last Janelle Monae. Cheers, Ace"
(He is still so cute!)
Kings Ballad by Georgia Anne Muldrow ($19.33 on Amazon)
Ace wasn't kidding about this artist; she is truly gifted. Her music is well-written, and I really liked her voice! Soul music is not what I normally listen to, but I know there's great stuff out there in every genre. This is it! I especially love the last track, "Morena Del Ray." It's beautiful.
Highlands by Damon Aaron ($15.63 on Amazon)
This was my least favorite of the three records I received this month. I liked his roots vibe and his rhythms, but there was something about his voice that I just didn't like that much. It's a good album objectively speaking, but I think I'll have to gift or swap this one.
Metropolis by Janelle Monae ($16.48 on Amazon)
I always wondered what the big deal was with Janelle Monae, and now I know! She's great! Her music is not technically soul, I don't think - I think it's more pop than anything. BUT, it definitely draws from roots in soul, and it's HIGHLY inventive. I love the merging of old and new, and she makes it sound so easy.
The Verdict: I am still really digging my VNYL subscription! This month I am pretty much blown away by both the curation and the value. The value comes to around $46, which is super for the $32 cost. You don't hear too much about soul music these days, so I was kind of expecting to receive some re-issues of old albums, but I love this introduction to the modern voices of soul.
What do you think of VYNL?
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