We chose this Courtney Barnett release as our last non-exclusive VMP Essential, but it might as well have been exclusive: Courtney was just starting to bubble up from Melbourne to be the conquering hero she has become in recent years. We helped push this release further into American music fans’ consciousness, and have done exclusives of every Courtney Barnett album that has followed. Our exclusive version comes on “Split Peas Green” colored vinyl.

Remastered by Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering at AIR, this live album captures Thelonious Monk and his classic quartet at the peak of their powers, barnstorming through Europe like conquering heroes. This was the first jazz album VMP ever released, and we’re glad to do this exclusive edition on 2LP Light Blue Galaxy vinyl, which portends a Monk feature in Classics in 2023.

The first notes Charles Bradley sings on Victim of Love, his 2013 sophomore release, are not words but moaned lamentations. A drawn out “ooh” reminds listeners who we are dealing with: The Screaming Eagle of Soul, who doesn’t simply sing. Bradley wails, pleads, begs and screeches his way through Victim of Love. Many tracks are love songs, but they’d be better described as songs of longing.

❤️‍🔥 Pressed on exclusive Purple & Black A-Side/B-Side vinyl
❤️‍🔥 Heavyweight, foil-stamped tip-on jacket

An album that is meant to be screamed along with your friends after a night remembering, partying, or just hanging out, Japandroids' Celebration Rock is all Big Moments, and Bigger Riffs. The second VMP record we ever put out, it's just as big, fun, and perfect as it was 10 years ago.

🔻 Pressed on exclusive 180g "Fire's Highway" vinyl
🔻 Includes 20pg lyric & photo booklet

Fiona Apple's third studio album returns to vinyl for the first time since 2005 to showcase Apple at her most clever and ferocious, finding the bittersweet in breakups. The VMP exclusive is pressed on Agapanthus Green, 180 gram vinyl at GZ Vinyl. The 2LPs will arrive in a reverse board, widespine, foil-stamped jacket. It was mastered by Mike Piacentini at Battery Studios.