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

Accusing artists you don’t like of this kind of behaviour (see also: “spiritually Israeli”) when it is very clearly not the case only serves to minimise the damage done by those acts. Just call an artist shit and be done with it.

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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

Come back next week to see me defend Coldplay’s Ghost Stories, Fall Out Boy’s MANIA, and Linkin Park’s One More Light.

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

Typhoons was a fantastic disco-garage rock blend like nothing else around at that time, but people decried it. Compare Limbo to literally anything they have released since 2022, especially the orchestral version. Such a shame.

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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

Pop monoculture is dead, and honestly, I think that’s a good thing. Humans are more willing to express themselves than ever before. I just wish all discussion didn’t boil down to ‘your taste sucks’.

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

Maybe that does make me a terrible “music journalist”, but I just prefer alternative, heavy, and grassroots spaces. I’m only strongly familiar with 13 tracks in the top 50 of the UK charts, and vaguely with 3; this includes Mr Brightside, Billie Jean, Don’t Stop Believing, and Wonderwall so… yeah.

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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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Reposted by Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews

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 · 27/06/2026

Everything is reduced to “witty” soundbites that people can quote to make fun of things. There’s a persistent cruelty in online discourse that only seems to be getting worse these days.

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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

I understand that their music may have meant a lot to you. I understand it may have shaped emo in innumerable ways. But ultimately, where you place your support demonstrates the standards you want to see in the scene. Find a local band. Find good people. Give them your love instead.

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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

In July, I’m attending six concerts. The cost? For all six? £135. Live Nation and the likes are bleeding the music industry dry, and major artists aren’t doing enough to push back. Where does it end? What is the goal of making art totally inaccessible?

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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

‘This music/artwork/band/album is so gay’, even devoid of the homophobic undertones, is just pure laziness. You could choose to be interesting and witty and whimsical, and instead you choose to be boring.

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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

When Muse went from £110 for stadium to £120 for arena for an album I did not massively love… I didn’t go. The band who were my gateway to music. If it is worth it for you, power to you. But the companies don’t care if you complain about $300 tickets, only if they receive your $300.

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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 not saying it should, I’m saying it can’t, and that above all else, the wishes of the artist should be respected. I was musing about the amount of strong opinions I see on the matter.

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

I don’t think there’s an answer that will ever satisfy everyone. I think taking a few photos is healthy, but don’t forget to actually be present for the moment. Then again, it’s down to artists how their art should be viewed.

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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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Reposted by Ry | Vinyl Fantasy Reviews

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

It’s why UK fans can often seem entitled. Driving isn’t an essential part of our culture, so many of us rely on public transport, potentially for life. Despite that, it is underfunded and under serviced.

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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 get that musicians have to make money however they can, so purchasing digitally and physically helps that. But I think a return to complimentary digital copies would somewhat help facilitate a shift from streaming. Convenience and all that.

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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

Free Palestine. Fuck ICE. And may imperialism, capitalism, and fascism rot and wither away.

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