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VNYL Subscription Box Review – January 2017

Anna Rodriguez
ByAnna RodriguezFeb 5, 2017 | 4 comments

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VNYL
4.5 overall rating
50 Ratings | 1 Reviews

VNYL is a pretty interesting subscription service for record collectors. When you 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 Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

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The Subscription Box: VNYL

The Cost: $39 a 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: U.S. (free), and UK, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Australia, France, Canada at an additional cost

Check out all our VNYL reviews and the Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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VNYL often sends a flyer advertising their new releases. One of the perks of membership is access to the member store, where they have a variety of albums for sale at a discount. Records purchased in the member store are shipped free with your next month's regular shipment.

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I chose #newyearsrevolution as my "#VIBE" for this month. My curator for this month was Alaysia Sierra (pictured above). She writes:

"Hey Anna, Welcome Back! Let's start this #newyearsrevolution with the full project from a band you loved from us, Dead Gaze with their fuzz rock vibed, 'Easy Travels.' Next up, I saw you were following the all-female quartet La Luz on Spotify so here's their 2nd LP inspired by Black Hole, 'Weirdo Shrine.' Then, settle into indie rocker John Vanderslice for the Neutral Milk Hotel fan in you. VIBE OUT! -Alaysia Sierra"

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Mass Suicide Occult Figurines by John Vanderslice - Value $20.97 on Amazon

https://youtube.com/watch?v=o8RjGN0bPQw%3Flist%3DPLSodv46gBYLFMLwUd_A6W6T-i2T9cWh88

I have never had particularly strong feelings about John Vanderslice one way or the other, but I'm glad I gave it a closer listen. I think I'm not wild about his voice, but I like all the layers of sound and texture in this album. It has a deeper vibe than I gave it credit when I heard it long ago.

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Weirdo Shrine by La Luz - Value $14.99 on Amazon

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0xsSAV08Ccs%3Flist%3DPL2bYYOJr42Nuosmud4m2AHscA2P1PBsY7

I am a huge fan of La Luz! I tend to shy away from female vocalists, but they are truly exceptional. This is a fantastic album that I did not already have, so I'm really happy! In addition to kicking vocals, they have a really cool retro sound.

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Easy Travels by Dead Gaze - Value $15.65 on Amazon

https://youtube.com/watch?v=UNumLfvuW7w%3Flist%3DPLy8Gwc2lv0ba0M-YvgEqmo4zZnTerQFk4

Alaysia Sierra is correct - I do love Dead Gaze and was introduced to them through VNYL. This album is just as good as the other one, so I am thrilled to have it! They have a good fuzzy sound, but it's not too distorted, and still easily rocking enough to still be very accessible.

Verdict: The day I get my VNYL in the mail is one of my favorite mail days all month! This month was another grand slam! I completely loved two of the albums, and really liked the third as well. The value this month totals about $52, which is awesome for a $36 box. I'm a huge VNYL fan, and I've discovered tons of great new music because of them.

What do you think of VNYL? What did you get this month?

Starting at $39.00
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VNYL's team of curators analyze your music tastes to hand-pick 3 new albums you will love. Make sure you've got your turntable ready for the amazing vinyl headed your way.
Anna Rodriguez
Anna Rodriguez
Anna has been a fan of subscription boxes since joining Birchbox in 2013, but didn't become a true addict until discovering subscriptions she could share with her children. Her favorites include Kiwi Crate and Fab Kids.

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4 comments

Adam Hinds

The curators of this service claim to pick records based off personal taste. In reality, most of the records sent are predetermined, most like for promotional purposes. Very little attention is paid to your personal preferences. In the beginning, this service sent out used records for “rent” like Netflix, but when they found out it was illegal to do so, they used their crowdfunding money to open a brick-and-mortar record store and continue with this subscription service. The company on a whole seems fishy in a number of ways. I would not recommend a VNYL subscription to anyone. Instead, use your money to buy the records you want from your local record store yourself. This service is really geared towards teenage hipsters with Crosley record players that lack a real appreciation for music or vinyl as a format.

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Megan

Anna,
I’m brand new to VNYL (getting my first box in the mail this week!) but I’m curious to see what your settings are set to that you get so many things that you like? What setting is your “adventurous” set to? What profiles do you have linked up? Do you have a lot of preferences listed? Thanks!

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Miranda B

Loved my box this month, the #newretro vibe, it included Alabama Shakes “Boys and Girls,” Leon Bridges “Coming Home,” and Kaleo “A/B.” All are right up my alley with a bluesy, ahem retro, vibe. I like how this subscription provides more mainstream music, while My Vinyl Please is all new bands I’ve never ever heard of.

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Anna

Awesome!

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