Over the course of the past few years, vinyl has made something of a comeback. Spurred on by nostalgia and hipster culture, records sales are once again on the rise and the average person has a turntable. This renaissance has changed not only the popularity of vinyl, but has also changed the access to records. You can find them everywhere from Amazon to Urban Outfitters. Younger artists, who may have missed the vinyl boat all together, are releasing new music in this older format. To meet the demand, several services have surfaced to supply music fans with the newest pressings. Here are a few options to help you expand your record collection and/or just explore new music:

Vnyl is a record subscription service that has gotten a lot of press lately, both good and bad. Using Vnyl, subscribers can determine the contents of their delivery by indicating which “#vibes” they would like to go with. The hashtags to choose from range from #betweenthesheets to #cooking to #work to #danceparty and more. Once the records have been put togethers, they’re mailed to the user, much like in Netflix’s old DVD-in-a-paper-sleeve model. From there Vnyl allows subscribers to hold on to records they love and return the ones they don’t. Subscribers can also track the journey of each record, from one Vnyl user to the next. Each person can comment on their experience and inform whomever gets the album next.

Vinyl Me, Please funtions in a similar way. Much like a book of the month club or the free iTunes song of the day, VMP delivers new albums right into your hands, but not one of your choosing. After requesting and invite, users can choose from a Monthly ($27), 3-Month ($75) or Annual ($284) subscription plans (International plans are also available.) According to the company’s website, the record will also be accompanied by “a custom cocktail pairing (recipe) and an album-inspired piece of art from one of our favorite artists.” A subscription includes “access to The Standard, a weekly music digest highlighting the best new music and gear from artists and brands you need to know.” One subscriber will also receive a gift via VMP’s Golden Ticket Giveaway. The record each person receives, the Record of the Month is chosen by the VMP staff. In the past this has included Courtney Barnett, The War on Drugs and Diarrhea Planet.

If you like this element of surprise, but also want to sponsor a smaller bands, unable to independently press their own records, check out Feedbands. For $14.95 a month, users are able to vote on participating bands and ultimately receive the winning release. The service utilizes a sort of crowdsourcing to both pick the music and to fund the operation. They also support independent musicians and give them the chance to have their music on this old, but increasing popular format. Plus, if a subscriber doesn’t like the record they can return it and receive their money back. The records are always first pressings and come with a biodegradable download card, embedded with wildflower seeds.

Label and/or Artist specific vinyl subscriptions are another way to control the content of the records you’re receiving each month. If you tend to buy records from a specific label, but want to never have to worry about how many records are going to be pressed/released, a subscription might be the answer.  Subscriptions like No Sleep Record’s Vinyl Subscription and Jack White/Third Man Record’s The Vault subscription are both specific enough that users know for the most part what they’re signing up for.

Time will tell whether or not these newer options will hold up against the greats like Sub Pop’s Singles Club. Also whether or not all these records survive the process of being shipping in the mail. If all else fails there is always the option to browse what records stores are left in the city, like Rough Trade and Academy Records & CDs. Play Rob Gordon for a day and support the scene.

-Zoe Marquedant