Review: 43028 Olivia Rodrigo's Vinyl
Posted by benbacardi,
LEGO announced a surprise addition to the Editions theme introduced this year, expanding a range that had previously focused exclusively on sporting icons to include pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo. While the theme's first releases celebrated landmark moments from the world of football and F1, these new sets instead take inspiration from one of the biggest names in contemporary music.
Since the release of her debut album SOUR in 2021, Olivia Rodrigo has become a well-known singer-songwriter, with two best-selling album releases and sell-out world tour last year. The five new display-focused sets added to the line highlight her recognisable aesthetic of purple tones, butterflies, stars, and other recurring motifs that have become closely associated with her music and branding. I appreciate that many of us here may not be her target demographic, however!
The first one I've taken a look at is 43028 Olivia Rodrigo's Vinyl, a representation of a vinyl record that can either be hung on the wall or placed on a surface, and includes Olivia herself in minifigure form.
Summary
43028 Olivia Rodrigo's Vinyl, 360 pieces.
£24.99 / $34.99 / €29.99 | 6.9p, 9.7c, 8.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A fun vinyl record design with a hidden feature, and plenty of nods to Olivia Rodrigo's fan base.
- Great record design
- Fun "pop out" feature
- Good minifigure
- Limited appeal
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
The minifigure depicts Olivia Rodrigo wearing a glittery silver dress, inspired by an outfit from her original SOUR tour from 2022. The dress features a sparkly pattern, while the torso print mimics the draped stage costume, gathered at the waist above a short pleated skirt. The dual-moulded legs make good use of the two colours to represent knee-high lace-up boots.
Her hair piece is new, flowing all the way down her back, and draped over her left shoulder. Two facial expressions are provided, both with pink shadow and sparkly details around the eyes, and pink lipstick. One side is smiling, the other a fun expression with a wink and a stuck out tongue.
Vinyl Record
The main build is a large vinyl record, roughly 18cm in diameter. Much of the surface is smooth, as you'd expect, but a large number of SNOT studs are exposed on the rear, as well as various Technic pin and axle holes. There's also a small stand incorporated that folds out to hold the record at a near-vertical angle on display.
The shape is an effective circle, probably the best that can be done at this scale. One side uses an interesting technique to reverse the direction of the studs. The pieces even use colour to ensure you connect it the correct way round, matching up the two red plates.
The front of the record is much smoother. There are a handful of attachment points for the model's accessories, and Olivia's signature is printed on the panel at the centre bottom.
Most of the exposed studs on the rear of the vinyl are then covered by a combination of plates and tiles in various colours. They seem to have no real purpose that I can discern, so I am not sure why this was done rather than having the surface of the record smooth on the rear too.
After attaching the hook at the top of the record that allows it to be hung on a wall, the rear of the record is completed by attaching a rather odd-looking contraption featuring Technic beams, clear curved bars, and some decorative butterflies and stars. The purpose of this becomes clear in a moment.
On the front, a number of stars are added to some of the attachment points, as well as a small purple butterfly piece. A minifigure stand clips in next to the signature with room for Olivia, holding a red megaphone. This is perhaps one of the most recognisable recurring props from her recent GUTS tour, when she uses one on stage. As such, a brick-built megaphone is the largest mini-build attached to the front of the record.
The centre of the record is completed with a large purple disc, where the set's two stickers are attached, depicting stars and Olivia's OR monogram on a shiny background.
Beneath the red megaphone is a small brick-built butterfly, another motif that has become closely associated with Olivia Rodrigo since the SOUR era.
Finally, a brick-built representation of a pair of red lips with visible white teeth holding a purple star is attached to the right-hand side. This is the least effective model, and took some figuring out what it was! Bold red lipstick has become one of Olivia's signature looks, especially during performances and publicity photos, and stylised versions are used throughout her branding.
But what about the Technic contraption on the rear of the record? Connected as it is via an axle to the purple disc on the front, rotating the disc allows…
…the arms to extend beyond the edges of the vinyl and reveal the stars and butterflies.
Twisting the disc to make them pop out is quite satisfying, and they hide seamlessly away when twisted back. The way the rear of the record has been designed, it also works when hung on the wall, as the model is held far enough away from the wall to allow space for them to retract. The wide bottom of the display stand can be detached and stored behind the record.
Verdict
It's fascinating to see LEGO expand the Editions line so soon after its release, and in a very different direction to the previous two sports sub-themes. That said, I think this new line of musical icons has potential, particularly if they can pick up the right licenses. Olivia Rodrigo is an interesting first choice. She may not be the musical icon many Brickset readers would have predicted, but there's no denying her enormous popularity and the strength of her visual identity, both of which lend themselves well to this style of display model.
As for the set itself, it's a pretty fun build and makes for a good display piece. There are plenty of nods to Olivia Rodrigo's brand, and I'm sure there are many more that I will have missed—from her love of purple to the numerous butterflies.
I love the hidden mechanism to make stars and butterflies pop out from behind the record, and it works well whether on a wall or displayed on its stand. The minifigure seems a pretty good representation of Olivia, and the new head prints could prove useful in a wide variety of contexts, particularly the tongue-out expression!
For fans of Olivia Rodrigo, this is a pretty good display set at a decent price. For anybody else, it's likely a pass… though I can see the vinyl record design being a useful template to follow for other artists.
43028 Olivia Rodrigo's Vinyl is available at LEGO.com for £24.99 / $34.99 / €29.99.
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42 comments on this article
I'd love to have cool affordable sets like that of the artists I love, Olivia fans are in luck
They really went all in with the minifigs in those sets, particularly with the leg printing.
Once again, Star Wars fans must really feel like they are getting the short end of the stick.
As mentioned on the reveal thread, I think given the average age of Lego buyer has shifted more towards the middle aged AFOL, they'd probably have been better off covering artists that appeal to that bracket more. I know personally I'd be more likely to buy sets based on Queen.
Despite knowing who Olivia is, I've got zero interest in her, and neither do the grandkids, so I'd have probably put a 'very' in front of the limited appeal con.
I’d never have guessed that the red shape was meant to represent a pair of red lips.
Another review that is not about the Twin Titan Mechs... still waiting for that. :(
I didn't know this had a mechanism at the back, that is a surprise. Other than that.. yeah, this is for fans, I guess.
@GrizBe said:
"As mentioned on the reveal thread, I think given the average age of Lego buyer has shifted more towards the middle aged AFOL, they'd probably have been better off covering artists that appeal to that bracket more. I know personally I'd be more likely to buy sets based on Queen.
Despite knowing who Olivia is, I've got zero interest in her, and neither do the grandkids, so I'd have probably put a 'very' in front of the limited appeal con. "
Most LEGO sets are still produced for and bought for kids. This theme tries to bridge the gap between teens who are going into their 'Dark Age' (of not building LEGO) and the adults coming back into LEGO. The AFOL(d) crowd is still only a fraction of LEGO's total audience.
That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson.
Regarding this Olivia Rodrigo set: truly awesome minifig, but the build itself is rather lacklustre, even with the gimmicks. I guess the only upside is that it's probably cheaper than an actual vinyl record by Olivia.
I guess 1 or 2 sets based on 1 act is ok, but multiple plastic sets based on 1 plastic 'star' might be pushing it a bit!
"Most of the exposed studs on the rear of the vinyl are then covered by a combination of plates and tiles in various colours. They seem to have no real purpose that I can discern, so I am not sure why this was done rather than having the surface of the record smooth on the rear too."
Structural reasons, perhaps? It seems like the pieces on the back add another layer of support to the snot sections.
This set and the record player are similar enough that I don't think I'll get both. I'm leaning towards this one, but looking forward to the review of the other
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson."
Heck, theres dozen of set you could make from Queen alone that would have wide appeal. Aside from the album covers you've mentioned, theres the Live Aid performance, The Miracle Express from Breakthru would also cover the trainset fans. Heck even just a Bohemian Rhapsody vignette of the four in music video pose would sell well I think. Could easily do a minifig series just based on the many alternative costumes they had over the years.
@GrizBe said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
" That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson."
Heck, theres dozen of set you could make from Queen alone that would have wide appeal. Aside from the album covers you've mentioned, theres the Live Aid performance, The Miracle Express from Breakthru would also cover the trainset fans. Heck even just a Bohemian Rhapsody vignette of the four in music video pose would sell well I think. Could easily do a minifig series just based on the many alternative costumes they had over the years. "
I’m envisioning a David Bowie Platform Shoe with pop-out compartments personally, or a similar record with his lightning bolt design. The outfit choices are limitless!
@GrizBe said:
"As mentioned on the reveal thread, I think given the average age of Lego buyer has shifted more towards the middle aged AFOL, they'd probably have been better off covering artists that appeal to that bracket more. I know personally I'd be more likely to buy sets based on Queen.
Despite knowing who Olivia is, I've got zero interest in her, and neither do the grandkids, so I'd have probably put a 'very' in front of the limited appeal con. "
Sets like this are meant to change that and bring new people in. In addition to capitalizing on what’s currently popular, it’s in Lego’s interest to ensure that today’a young people become tomorrow’s AFOLs and/or parent buyers, otherwise AFOLs will stay an insular community of predominately Millennials and Gen X.
This looks like a fun set.
Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set
...Editions? I guess these are not quite 18+ material. What a vague name for a theme. I think 'Merchandise" might have actually been more descriptive of the broad denominator between the sets under that 'theme'.
I say 'theme' because these are just as much a bunch of one-offs as anything Icons is. But at least there are multiple sets that go under the same subtheme-like umbrella in here, that being Fifa, F1 and now Olivia Rodrigo. So at least these are not all complete IP islands with nothing to go with them
@AustinPowers said:
"They really went all in with the minifigs in those sets, particularly with the leg printing.
Once again, Star Wars fans must really feel like they are getting the short end of the stick. "
Best quality and experience only for new lego customers :)
Must admit that of all the Olivia Rodrigo sets this is the one I had the least interest in, but I do like the moving stars and butterflies. That’s fun.
She makes good music. I like Brutal and Bad Idea, Right? particularly.
Fine, if LEGO won't make a Lorna Shore set, I will turn this into a Lorna Shore set. Once it's rebuilt, it will be Unbroken, Forevermore, so long as I reside in this Prison Of Flesh.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @GrizBe said:
"As mentioned on the reveal thread, I think given the average age of Lego buyer has shifted more towards the middle aged AFOL, they'd probably have been better off covering artists that appeal to that bracket more. I know personally I'd be more likely to buy sets based on Queen.
Despite knowing who Olivia is, I've got zero interest in her, and neither do the grandkids, so I'd have probably put a 'very' in front of the limited appeal con. "
Most LEGO sets are still produced for and bought for kids. This theme tries to bridge the gap between teens who are going into their 'Dark Age' (of not building LEGO) and the adults coming back into LEGO. The AFOL(d) crowd is still only a fraction of LEGO's total audience.
That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson.
Regarding this Olivia Rodrigo set: truly awesome minifig, but the build itself is rather lacklustre, even with the gimmicks. I guess the only upside is that it's probably cheaper than an actual vinyl record by Olivia."
As a record collector myself, you can easily find official Olivia Rodrigo vinyl albums for roughly the same price, if not a few dollars less.
My overall thoughts are largely unchanged, although I do like the mechanism on the back, and the Minifigure is quite nice. I do hope to see this theme expand to other musicians.
I'm so pleased the Grievous Headwound-face also comes in an unstickered version. This is much more versatile, thanks so much.
@GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally
@BrudderandHisBricks said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @GrizBe said:
"As mentioned on the reveal thread, I think given the average age of Lego buyer has shifted more towards the middle aged AFOL, they'd probably have been better off covering artists that appeal to that bracket more. I know personally I'd be more likely to buy sets based on Queen.
Despite knowing who Olivia is, I've got zero interest in her, and neither do the grandkids, so I'd have probably put a 'very' in front of the limited appeal con. "
Most LEGO sets are still produced for and bought for kids. This theme tries to bridge the gap between teens who are going into their 'Dark Age' (of not building LEGO) and the adults coming back into LEGO. The AFOL(d) crowd is still only a fraction of LEGO's total audience.
That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson.
Regarding this Olivia Rodrigo set: truly awesome minifig, but the build itself is rather lacklustre, even with the gimmicks. I guess the only upside is that it's probably cheaper than an actual vinyl record by Olivia."
As a record collector myself, you can easily find official Olivia Rodrigo vinyl albums for roughly the same price, if not a few dollars less.
"
I guess it depends on the region you're in. I don't know the exact retail price of this particular LP right now, but new and popular titles often go for €30 to €40 here (roughly $35 to $48), so approximately twice the price of the CD -- which everybody knows is the superior product. ;-)
@Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
We've already had this discussion in the thread of this set's announcement. Some people seem to live under a rock and apparently like to display their ignorance whenever they come out from under it. No problem with being out of touch with popular culture if someone doesn't care for it, but pretending that something or someone isn't popular because they haven't heard of it, is pretty lame.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @BrudderandHisBricks said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @GrizBe said:
"As mentioned on the reveal thread, I think given the average age of Lego buyer has shifted more towards the middle aged AFOL, they'd probably have been better off covering artists that appeal to that bracket more. I know personally I'd be more likely to buy sets based on Queen.
Despite knowing who Olivia is, I've got zero interest in her, and neither do the grandkids, so I'd have probably put a 'very' in front of the limited appeal con. "
Most LEGO sets are still produced for and bought for kids. This theme tries to bridge the gap between teens who are going into their 'Dark Age' (of not building LEGO) and the adults coming back into LEGO. The AFOL(d) crowd is still only a fraction of LEGO's total audience.
That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson.
Regarding this Olivia Rodrigo set: truly awesome minifig, but the build itself is rather lacklustre, even with the gimmicks. I guess the only upside is that it's probably cheaper than an actual vinyl record by Olivia."
As a record collector myself, you can easily find official Olivia Rodrigo vinyl albums for roughly the same price, if not a few dollars less.
"
I guess it depends on the region you're in. I don't know the exact retail price of this particular LP right now, but new and popular titles often go for €30 to €40 here (roughly $35 to $48), so approximately twice the price of the CD -- which everybody knows is the superior product. ;-)"
Fair enough. I’m US-based and most 1LP albums are in the $25-$35 range, Not counting any special issue releases or boxsets or what have you.
I don't care one bit for Olivia Rodrigo or her music, and still question if it made sense to have 5 sets of one artist. But putting that aside, this set seems like a win: A pretty nice display piece with a fun little surprise, for a pretty reasonable price, And more importantly: For once a set like this in pocket money territory for kids. Basically in every way the exact opposite of the BTS and Pharrell sets. I wouldn't mind if they would do more sets like this for a variety of artists, even when I doubt they'll ever do one for any artist I like....
I don't want to be that guy, but I've never heard of this singer until this set.
@BPK2300 said:
"I don't want to be that guy, but I've never heard of this singer until this set. "
You must be that Patrick guy from Spongebob.......today I learned he literally lives under a rock!
;-)
@Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
I did. And after listening to some of the musics, I didnt recognize any.
One thing that kinda bugs me though:
Review said:
" One side uses an interesting technique to reverse the direction of the studs."
Sure, it is an interesting technique, which in itself I can appreciate. Just like so many others used before to achieve a similar effect. But why is Lego probably the only company in the entire plastic brick universe that doesn't do a simple plate with studs on both sides?
And don't tell me because it would be too easy, because they do have a gazillion different SNOT-pieces and keep coming up with more and more to make every connection imaginable with little to no effort......apparently except for this one?
@GusG said:
" @Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
I did. And after listening to some of the musics, I didnt recognize any."
I know who she is. She's the lady with five more LEGO-sets to her name than you and I combined.
@AustinPowers said:
"They really went all in with the minifigs in those sets, particularly with the leg printing.
Once again, Star Wars fans must really feel like they are getting the short end of the stick. "
Dude think about all us Marvel fans too - Star Wars fans get it easy compared to us. They might have overpriced sets but at least in those sets usually most of the figures have leg printing. It's not even rare for us to have a set where none of the figures have leg printing and it's overpriced! I won't lie though it is still rough being a Star Wars fan right now though, you have a point.
@GBP_Chris said:
"Fine, if LEGO won't make a Lorna Shore set, I will turn this into a Lorna Shore set. Once it's rebuilt, it will be Unbroken, Forevermore, so long as I reside in this Prison Of Flesh."
Best comment in this thread lol. I've personally been wanting to create LEGO versions of album covers for August Burns Red (my favorite band).
@Fire said:
" @GBP_Chris said:
"Fine, if LEGO won't make a Lorna Shore set, I will turn this into a Lorna Shore set. Once it's rebuilt, it will be Unbroken, Forevermore, so long as I reside in this Prison Of Flesh."
Best comment in this thread lol. I've personally been wanting to create LEGO versions of album covers for August Burns Red (my favorite band)."
If they make ABR sets I'll end up a Poor Millionaire
I have no interest in getting this set, but I'll admit to wanting to build it and play with that function.
@gunther_schnitzel said:
"I’d never have guessed that the red shape was meant to represent a pair of red lips. "
I can tell what it is, but only because of the teeth, and I agree with @benbacardi that it's the weakest part of the build.
@Zackula said:""Most of the exposed studs on the rear of the vinyl are then covered by a combination of plates and tiles in various colours. They seem to have no real purpose that I can discern, so I am not sure why this was done rather than having the surface of the record smooth on the rear too."
Structural reasons, perhaps? It seems like the pieces on the back add another layer of support to the snot sections."
Seems likely.
@BPK2300 said:
"I don't want to be that guy, but I've never heard of this singer until this set. "
Olivia Rodrigo has never heard of you either.
I must admit, my wife is an Olivia Rodrigo fan, but when I showed her all the new sets, she was a bit let down. I had told her that these sets were coming and she was excited to see them, but the execution just isn't there for her. The only one she had a mild interest in was the small bouquet.
I must admit, my wife is an Olivia Rodrigo fan, but when I showed her all the new sets, she was a bit let down. I had told her that these sets were coming and she was excited to see them, but the execution just isn't there for her. The only one she had a mild interest in was the small bouquet.
@CommandrCody212 said:
" @GrizBe said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
" That said, I'd love to see a set based on Queen, particularly the robot from the 1977 News Of The World album, or a stage with Freddie and the gang in their 1986 A Kind Of Magic Tour outfits. That band also has a large appeal to a wide age range, as do ABBA and Michael Jackson."
Heck, theres dozen of set you could make from Queen alone that would have wide appeal. Aside from the album covers you've mentioned, theres the Live Aid performance, The Miracle Express from Breakthru would also cover the trainset fans. Heck even just a Bohemian Rhapsody vignette of the four in music video pose would sell well I think. Could easily do a minifig series just based on the many alternative costumes they had over the years. "
I’m envisioning a David Bowie Platform Shoe with pop-out compartments personally, or a similar record with his lightning bolt design. The outfit choices are limitless! "
The Beatles at Ed Sullivan!
@Crux said:
" @GusG said:
" @Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
I did. And after listening to some of the musics, I didnt recognize any."
I know who she is. She's the lady with five more LEGO-sets to her name than you and I combined."
The hostility in the brickset comment section toward people who express their lack of interest in certain IP's continues to be appalling.
@bondre said:
" @Crux said:
" @GusG said:
" @Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
I did. And after listening to some of the musics, I didnt recognize any."
I know who she is. She's the lady with five more LEGO-sets to her name than you and I combined."
The hostility in the brickset comment section toward people who express their lack of interest in certain IP's continues to be appalling."
Allow me to express a lack of interest in your opinion.
@bondre said:
" @Crux said:
" @GusG said:
" @Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
I did. And after listening to some of the musics, I didnt recognize any."
I know who she is. She's the lady with five more LEGO-sets to her name than you and I combined."
The hostility in the brickset comment section toward people who express their lack of interest in certain IP's continues to be appalling."
You see hostility. I see humour.
@bondre said:
" @Crux said:
" @GusG said:
" @Toc13 said:
" @GusG said:
"Had to google who Olivia Rodrigo is... I guess it's another discount bin set"
Did you?
Do you not pay any attention to the news? Or listen to more than 1 radio station?
I mean, she's not particularly in my wheelhouse but she is pretty big globally "
I did. And after listening to some of the musics, I didnt recognize any."
I know who she is. She's the lady with five more LEGO-sets to her name than you and I combined."
The hostility in the brickset comment section toward people who express their lack of interest in certain IP's continues to be appalling."
Crux was telling a joke, but for me, the lack of interest isn’t the problem. The disrespect people aim at things they personally haven’t heard of or aren’t interested in very much is. You can be polite and respectful while expressing that something isn’t for you.