VYNL is a new-ish and pretty interesting subscription service for record collectors. When you are invited to sign up for this service, you fill out a 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: VYNL
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
I chose #FOODCOMA as my "#VIBE" for this month. My curator for this month was Teal. She writes:
"Hey Anna - Welcome back to vnyl! Have some fresh records. Think you will dig Old Monks a American punk band with their own sound. Enjoy, Teal"
(Which is a little strange because I never left vnyl!)
DMA's Self-Titled ($9.99 on Amazon)
This is a Limited Edition import from the UK, all of which is very exciting for the vinyl collector! Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of DMA's, even though I usually like British rock. They sound a lot like Oasis, and I didn't even like Oasis in the 90's.
On the other hand, I love getting colored vinyl! I don't think I have any discs that are all white! Also pictured is the included download card for mp3's. Those are always much appreciated!
King Krule Self-Titled ($9.98 on Amazon)
This down tempo EP from King Krule is fuzzy and psych-y with a touch of melancholy. This one was more to my liking, and it was really the only album of the three sent that fit the #FOODCOMA vibe I requested.
Posing as Love by Old Monk ($14.62 on Amazon)
This was my favorite album of the three! Teal was right! Which is kind of weird because I don't usually like punk, but honestly, I didn't think it sounded all that punk to me. It sounded like pretty straightforward rock music. Which I like!
Of course, the other reason this was my favorite album this month is the vinyl itself. Check out that pink, paint-spattered vinyl! It's beautiful!
The Verdict: I love VYNL! It's one of my favorite mail days of the month! That being said, this wasn't my favorite package from them. I liked two of the three albums, but none of them blew me away (except for the colored vinyl, of course!). Somehow I think Teal thinks I'm a hardcore punk fan, and that's just way off! I also noticed the value was on the low side this month at about $35. It's more than the cost of the box, so it's all good, but usually the retail value is quite a bit more. Next month will be better, I'm sure!
What do you think of VYNL?
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