The exchange rate is in favour right now so I guess as an international from the UK or Europe locking in for a year is like 35€ a record. I still believe with this as a budget you can get far better records this side of the Atlantic. On the flip side I took a look again at all 3 tracks from the last 12 months from those 36 records I would say I'd think twice about paying 35€ for any of those had I seen them elsewhere at that price.
The longest term I've ever done with VMP is 3 months and that's because I don't trust their curation to be consistent enough to match my tastes. At the new price we are looking at 42€ a record which I simply wouldn't be able to justify given the side subs are also more expensive now, their exclusives are only "exclusive variants" also available at most other retailers AND open to non-members.
I've personally never paid more than 27€ shipped for a tone poet (or more than 15€ for a BN80 shipped ), so if you're willing to wait there's always a way to get them for less. Using the same logic I'm willing to wait until VMP offers their inventory clear out sales and the 3 months for the price of 2 offers to get their records of the month. I simply don't buy into their FOMO or hype and as the last 12 months suggest, I'm hardly losing any sleep over not having those records in my collection.
For reference: I have White Stripes, Blakey, Mr. Hands and Flaming Lips from the last 12 months.
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