iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

open.substack.com

Ella Clayton on music and the power of words [Interview]

In conversation with the soulful folk specialist ahead of her debut album release

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

The idea that a band may have an intrinsic, essential core, a vital ethos that makes them them, is an intriguing one… I am genuinely excited to share that my first ever @thelineofbestfit.com byline is now online! Read all about the awesome Girl Scout here: www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/int...

thelineofbestfit.com

Girl Scout: “95% of Swedish kids get ABBA shoved down their throats” | Interview

Stockholm's Girl Scout formulate their light-dark crashouts into creative freedom.

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Yana Couto is a Polish musician working with piano and field recordings. She was one of the artists I met at ESNS. I spoke to her about her unique approach to music and the importance of "salt" in life... musicobserved.substack.com/p/yana-couto...

Yana Couto: Salt, music and the beauty of every day [Interview]

A Polish music-maker doing things differently

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

This was a really great album to get immersed in 🎶

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

I got back on Saturday from 3 days in Groningen at ESNS (aka Eurosonic), one of the most fun, mind-blowing, musical gatherings and a very cool way to start 2026. I discovered loads of new artists - you can read all about it on @clashmusic.com ... www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

clashmusic.com

Live Report: ESNS 2026 | Live | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews

Mind blowing choices immersed in the future of music... The trouble with going to a festival with more than 300 artists, from 39 countries, performing at

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Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

Clash Magazine @clashmusic.com · 19/01/2026

A labyrinth of new music, ESNS continues to be the best place to discover fresh talent - Phil Taylor picks out the highlights from this year's trip to Groningen... www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

10 artists, 7 questions... My end of year special is now online! Find out musicians' thoughts on Secret Santa, best gifts ever, plans for 2026, and of course whether it really should be Christmas every day... musicobserved.substack.com/p/christmas-...

Really, would that be a good thing? Musicians answer this and other vital questions

Christmas every day...

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

My final top 10!! The songs that meant most to me this year … musicobserved.substack.com/p/songs-of-t...

Songs of the year: The Music Observer 10

My 10 top tracks of 2025

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

We’ve arrived - the Music Observer end of the year lists are here! Starting today with EPs… 10 top picks and some honourable mentions too… Ready to read now musicobserved.substack.com/p/eps-of-the...

EPs of the year: The Music Observer 10

The best EPs of 2025

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Last year I selected 8 artists who I thought should be followed in 2025 — Today I’m revisiting them to see how it worked out… musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...

Eight exciting artists revisited

How did my predictions work out?

Clash Magazine @clashmusic.com · 17/11/2025

Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

Live Report: Live At Leeds - In The City 2025 Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights... www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

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Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

Clash Magazine @clashmusic.com · 06/11/2025

Played Cymru is our in-depth look at the Welsh music scene... This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses? www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Yesterday I somehow managed to publish my regular Monday new music post despite a very hard day. Have a read! Coincidentally, all the artists I featured are from Scotland… open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I write quite a lot outside of my Substack blog. One of my favourites is the @diymagazine.bsky.social Neu Bulletin — short (~100 word) reviews of new music. It’s always a great list. I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)... diymag.com/feature/the-...

diymag.com

The Neu Bulletin (Cardinals, Mei Semones, Chloe Qisha and more!)

DIY’s essential guide to the best new music.

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Whether Monday is just beginning or ending for you, check out my new post with lots of new music recommendations… musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...

Treat or treat: The MOnday 27.10.25

New music from Ber, CATTY, Charlotte Carpenter, Hana Lili, Loupe and Sigrid

Clash Magazine @clashmusic.com · 20/10/2025

Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

Live Report: Twisterella Festival All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then? Phil Taylor picks out the key sets - www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

It’s that time of year again … Twisterella is a small multi venue festival that punches well above … I’ve written a bit about it here: musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...

Twisterella is my happy place

More than just a metro festival

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Calling independent artists! If you’re looking for some support and feedback on publicising your music without spending a fortune, I think I can help! musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...

How to stand out: My services for artists

Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

I caught up with Americana-meets-pop/rock artist Amber Saqladi recently, to find out about her newest music and delve a bit deeper into what makes her tick. She shared some great stories and insights... musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...

Letting go of the outcome: Amber Saqladi [Interview]

Time to catch up about all things 'Liquor', creative serendipity and music that heals

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

One of the best albums of the year is finally out. SPRINTS - All That Is Over. Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out: musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...

SPRINTS: All That Is Over [Album]

SPRINTS may just have created the album of the year.

LeftLion Magazine Nottingham @leftlion.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

In town this weekend? If so we'd highly recommend you making a trip to see the 'Relic' exhibition by Kid30 and friends . It's open til Sunday, free to get in and likely to be one of those 'we were there' moments... leftlion.co.uk/features/202...

leftlion.co.uk

Exhibition review: Relic at 28 Broad Street

Kid30 and friends bring you an immersive, bleak and humourous take on the future in this pop-up exhibition showing this weekend only in Nottingham City Centre...

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

I’ve got news… My brand new zine is out now! Download below (all free) ⬇️ musicobserved.substack.com/p/music-obse...

It’s here. Edition 1, available to all.

Music Observer: The Zine

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Some gigs just hit different. Tuesday's performance by Ella Clayton at Dalston Curve Garden in London just made all the clichés valid: magical, wondrous, atmospheric. All that and more. You can read more on the blog (in fact, please do!) musicobserved.substack.com/p/ella-clayt...

Ella Clayton, Dalston, London [Live]

Magical doesn’t begin to describe this

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Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

Clash Magazine @clashmusic.com · 20/08/2025

"I try to be as truthful as possible!" Sydney Rose is relishing her viral moment - and using it to chart untold depths in her pop gaze. www.clashmusic.com/features/i-t...

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Exceptional trip is a great description... still living these memories :-)

Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Trying to remember to post on Bluesky (part 9)

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

My little preview of next month’s Gothenburg mega party…

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

New! Not just one but two gig reports… in one post! What am I doing? Anyway you can read my thoughts on better joy at The Old Blue Last and @bottlemoth.bsky.social at The Grace here: musicobserved.substack.com/p/two-gigs-o...

Two gigs, one common thread of musical joy

better joy and Bottlemoth — live in London

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Phil Taylor (Music Observer) @musicobserver.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

AISHLTBM: U2’s The Joshua Tree Read my thoughts on it in my latest post — better late than never 😝 musicobserved.substack.com/p/albums-i-s...

Albums I should have listened to by now: The Joshua Tree

So familiar and yet virgin territory