- I watched this anime recently and I really liked the soundtrack, so I thought to myself "cool, gotta buy it and enjoy it in glorious FLAC while I'm driving my ~~taxi~~ car"
% id = "01HPWEESFV1W7Y0713F5P74EPQ"
- naturally I was absolutely unprepared for the shitshow that is purchasing music from Japan
% id = "01HPWEESFVC3ZX091BN3ZFT4YB"
- for some reason some business pinheads thought it would be an *incredible and wise idea* to introduce *region locks* to music!
% id = "01HPWEESFV2AF3V1GMFZYKECHF"
- fuck the fact that you can legitimately buy this album as a pack of FLAC files in Japan, if you're anywhere else - eat shit!
% id = "01HPWEESFVSRH7H5NSQKQ849FK"
- I understand that dealing with taxes and all that bullshit is annoying and expensive. but there already exists a solution to that.
% id = "01HPWEESFVFAYKQAT39Y2ESNFX"
- it's called Bandcamp. people already use it. it works. and it's good.
% id = "01HPWEESFVAB5NWZFXR2G75XEA"
- and I know it's owned by Epic Games right now, but as a consumer I literally Could Not Care Less.
They handle my payments. the money goes to the artists. and all the parties involved are happy!
+ exhibit 1: The Flashbulb's music is gone from Spotify
% id = "01HPECQ3Z10FVJTAKE90W57X7R"
- today I went to listen to some good ol'e Benn Jordan The Flashbulb at work, and guess what do I see?
...
![screenshot of Spotify showing three singles, with all Flashbulb albums otherwise gone and inaccessible][pic:01HPECJJYVBFKW4FT66ATDHZFQ]
### that's right, it's all gone!
% id = "01HPECQ3Z1G88WVAVREGBCDEZ0"
- now I know that [Benn is an avid hater](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXudOLStaXA) [of streaming platforms himself](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDfNRWsMRsU), but something didn't smell right.
> An "internal investigation" has confirmed "evidence" of streaming fraud on Spotify.
>
> Therefore, The Flashbulb and my other music has been permanently removed from all platforms.
> 23 albums nuked overnight with no warning or communication.
>
> Give me a fucking break @tunecore. 🤬
wow. ain't that fuckin' nice.
% id = "01HPECQ3Z1ABVEEQP3HP8D5Z0G"
- (also can I just mention I had to specifically log into Twitter on my account to find this tweet. thank you, algorithm overlords. for helping me find the information I don't need.)
