iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A really daft thing that annoys me is labels insisting on using tracked postage for items, and then having to pay like £6 for shipping. Like, lemme risk it with Royal Mail second class for like £1.50. It is what it is if it goes missing.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Muuuum, they’re calling Sleep Token blackface on the internet again!

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Hot Take: Royal Blood peaked with Typhoons, and have spent the years since overcorrecting for all of the critics of that record, to the point now a lot of their material now just sounds like an OG Royal Blood tribute act. And by that I mean I’m really not a fan of Ten Over Ten.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

People are getting so angry at the prospect that people might genuinely not know ‘Rein Me In’ by Olivia Dean and Sam Fender. It’s no slight on the musicians or people who listen to contemporary pop, but I genuinely do not recognise it, and have no real interest in the modern UK pop landscape.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The England vs Argentina game has caused so much leftist infighting the fucking CIA are going to be taking notes.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Finally making the slow move off from streaming platforms, and I spent much of the afternoon ripping CDs. If you can ever afford a limited run of CDs, or can provide a digital download with vinyl/cassette formats, you are a god among musicians fr.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

>exciting inaugural festival for alternative music set up in city >headline act has confirmed allegations against them that can be found on the band’s Wikipedia page Emo is doomed to forever remain a safe space for predators at this rate

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Niko Stratis @nikostratis.com · 01/07/2026

You can’t own anything physical anymore, everything is digital, you can’t own anything digital now, storage is too expensive, you cant stream anything because they took it off the service once their parent company got bought out, you can’t get a McFlurry because the machine is broken

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

That new Muse record got me feeling like the climax of ratatouille. Somebody finally reminded Matt Bellamy that he is the goat. Genuinely had me tearing up from pure joy.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Everyone is getting a little too comfortable throwing around the r-slur, but it’s particularly bad in heavy music spaces. There are thousands of words you could use instead of one that is undeniably and continuously harmful. Grow up.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I saw someone call Loathe ‘octanecore’. You don’t have to like them, but like… let’s not lie?

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

There’s little more tragic than a UK band finding success in the US market, and then shifting the majority of their attention there. Like, I can’t be mad at you for making money fr, but I miss you :(

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

If I catch any of you at these Brand New shows when there are so many other emo bands out there that are deserving of your time, attention, and money… I simply don’t think people who consciously abused their position of power should be permitted the privilege of returning to a position of power.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Muse, I’m just… not doing this? £148 for standing tickets? Before fees?? The exact same venue in November, I get to see Enter Shikari for £62. And that’s after fees. “This is just what to expect for top level artists now”. Why though? They are the artists that can actually afford to go cheaper.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Too many of you are getting too comfortable with using gay as an insult again. Brother we were supposed to leave that back in the 00’s.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

If an artist you like is selling tickets for a price you think is too expensive, but you still buy them… you kind of forfeit the right to complain. ‘Nosebleeds cost $90! General admission costs $300!’ Okay, just… go see other musicians? Go see ten $30 shows, or hell, twenty local $15 shows.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

A band I am very excited about announced their debut record. 5 of the 12 tracks are already out; one of them is their debut single from 2023. The streaming model and its consequences will never cease to infuriate me.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

“Banana costume discourse” Pack it up, hardcore is over. We had a good run.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

‘Larp’ is going into the same vocabulary category as ‘mid’ and ‘coworker’. Words that project major protagonist syndrome. If your statement uses either, I’m disengaging immediately and saving my energy.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Say what you will about PRESIDENT, but this is one of my favourite lyrics from 2026 so far.

Lyrics from PRESIDENT’s song ‘DOOM LOOP’. They read:

Can’t control where we go in the final sleep. Guess I’m curious to find out where I belong. I hope it’s just you and I. I hope it takes me home.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I’m in two minds over the whole no phones at gigs thing. People being glued to their screen the whole way does dampen the atmosphere, but it’s also nice to relive those moments and share them with other people.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

NEW EP REVIEW! Vienna - For Friends ‘…knows when to deliver playful whimsy, and when to deliver surprisingly emotive gut-punches; it remains immense fun to behold without ever feeling as though the band lack earnestness…’

vinylfantasyreviews.co.uk

EP REVIEW: Vienna – For Friends

Vienna’s second EP showcases the emo outfit beginning to reckon with their true creative potential.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Love seeing this from La Dispute. I stand on business regarding strobe lights: they’re non-essential, and make concert pointlessly less accessible. ‘Not having them ruins the vibe!’ Or maybe if you rely on strobes, your live set is a bit wank, eh?

A poster indicating that a concert will use low risk lighting, and that it is unlikely to pose a risk to photosensitive people.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

NEW MUSIC REVIEW! Granite State - PROPER FORMS OF PROTEST ‘…‘PROPER FORMS OF PROTEST’ is here to remind you of what hardcore should be about; confrontation, defiance, and community…’

vinylfantasyreviews.co.uk

EP REVIEW – Granite State – PROPER FORMS OF PROTEST

An EP for the end times we are living through, Granite State deliver hardcore with teeth.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Genuinely heartbroken over this. ‘A Black Mile To The Surface’ was one of those special records that transformed part of me, in no short part thanks to the phenomenal drum work. ‘The Silence’ remains one of the finest drum performances I have ever heard. A joy to watch play live. Rest easy.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

If you call something ‘coworker music’, I instantly will disregard your opinion and spend the rest of any interaction booing you loudly. All you’re telling me is that you have a MASSIVE main protagonist complex.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

NEW MUSIC REVIEW! Hungry - Cambridge is on Fire ‘…The satirical dynamics of modern post-punk collides with the scrappy hedonism of 00’s indie rock…’

vinylfantasyreviews.co.uk

SINGLE REVIEW: Hungry – Cambridge is on Fire

Hungry commence their year of “Fenland Gothic” with an anthem for indie sleaze.

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Noah Shachtman @noahshachtman.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Finneas is better at political messaging than 99% of the Democratic consultants in DC.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

I get that Leeds is north in England, and that bands can only visit so many cities, but it is a kick in the nuts whenever a cool band announces Leeds as a tour date. Our public transport system is so shite, the last train home is 10:30.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

NEW MUSIC REVIEW! Power Snatch - EP1 ‘…Superfans of Williams will no doubt relish this, and those who enjoy bedroom pop, dream pop, and trip hop will find something to really get their teeth into…’

vinylfantasyreviews.co.uk

EP REVIEW: Power Snatch – EP1

The new project of Hayley Williams and Daniel James is a collection of glossy lo-if ruminations.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I miss bands doing free downloads with physical purchases. Like, if a record is only getting a physical release that isn’t CD, then I have to buy it again digitally in order to own a copy I can put onto an audio device. It’s part of why I have always loved Bandcamp.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

NEW MUSIC REVIEW! Ugly Jumper - Everything Is Not Alright! ‘…the band’s future direction feels clearer and brighter than ever; this is the sound of an emo band that, in their refusal to adhere to expectation or convention, has the potential for a masterpiece…’

vinylfantasyreviews.co.uk

EP REVIEW: Ugly Jumper – Everything Is Not Alright!

The self-proclaimed band for the virgin losers, middle aged boozers, and baby boomers unleash four tracks of emo-adjacent brilliance.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Incredibly funny to read about Earth refusing to play unless a Palestine flag was removed from the venue, and then whining about the venue putting ‘politics above music’… and then blocking all comments on their social media. Utter cowardice.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Not to be all ‘and yet you participate in society!’, but it irks me when a fairly sizeable band bangs on about shunning the mainstream, yet are quick to share every single Spotify and Amazon playlist they’re on, custom graphics included. Come on lads, let’s have a backbone x

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

I think there are plenty of valid criticisms to be levelled at Sleep Token. But it really frustrates me when I see people say that all of the songs sound the same. Emergence, Gods, The Way That You Were, Say That You Will, The Summoning… you don’t have to like any of them, but variety is there.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Also whilst I’m being a miserable little grinch, if you are in a band, please stop with the ‘it’s sad people watch an influencer for 7 minutes but won’t give us 30 seconds’. It’s giving ‘old man shouts at clouds’. It’s giving boomer. It’s weirdly low-key giving misogynist.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Sometimes I remember criticising a band for using AI for a joke and being told to ‘kill the cop in your brain’. Now Suno is here and musicians are realising that the Sloppening was never going to stop at just images.

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Didi is a trans immigrant 🏳️‍⚧️ @didichanoch.northsky.social · 13/12/2025

I'm old enough to have seen a version of this story repeat over multiple decades. It's old and tired. It's also very gendered. If you're counting Coldplay as a rock act, and not counting Olivia Rodrigo, that's a you problem.

share.google

Rock Music Struggles to Draw Crowds as Tour Earnings Drop

Rock tours once dominated arenas, but 2025 data shows a shrinking share of total touring revenue, with newer genres eclipsing classic rock on the live-music charts.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

If you unironically share the ‘place/place (Japan)’ meme, I am going to assume you have the critical thinking skills of a walnut.

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A Place For Owls @aplaceforowls.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

every year is a good year for music if you like music

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I still unfortunately use Spotify; I’m in the process of switching to physical, but a multitude of excuses have me still streaming. Regardless, Spotify wrapped remains a bittersweet feeling. It’s nice to see people supporting their favourite artists. Music should be a community.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

I have a full review coming out for this soon, but I am absolutely fucking blown away by what this band have achieved here. Extreme pop. Hyper punk. Chaos pop. Call it whatever you want, but this genuinely feels like I’m listening to the cutting edge. malegazeband.bandcamp.com/album/too-la...

malegazeband.bandcamp.com

TOO LATE NOW, by male//gaze

6 track album

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

If you go around dunking on people for liking certain artists, I’m going to assume you’re very lame and very boring. If you go around recommending cool upcoming artists you know, I’m going to want to hang out with you and have hot dogs. It’s that simple.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Progressive rock bands 🤝 Alan Watts samples

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A Place For Owls @aplaceforowls.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

remember: music is supposed to be a community you're a part of, not a thing that's on in the background that you passively consume

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Just checking back in here to state that the Grammy’s are nothing but a self-congratulatory wankfest for major labels and represent sweet fuck all about how wonderful music truly is. Go to a local show x

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Discogs has become totally useless as a UK user who likes a lot of niche American bands. Nobody is willing to ship out of the US anymore, which is a real shame.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Fun fact for people that don’t follow UK politics, this guy promised to abolish student fees, got into power via a coalition with the Conservatives, then tripled the fees. He tanked his own party so hard they went from 22% of the vote, to 8%. He is a total clown and will be remembered as such.

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Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews @vinylfantasy.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

I’ve had the privilege of listening to the new Massa Nera record that drops later this month, ‘The Emptiness of All Things’. If you like screamo, progressive metal, doom metal, or anything else that seeks to unsettle, it is a true must listen.

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