Wreckord Shop is a British adult comedy cartoon series set in the vibrant heart of Brixton. It explores and parodies life in South London through the lens of three unlikely protagonists: Riff, Vox, and D.U.B — failed musicians who open a record shop on Brixton High Street with nothing but a student loan and boundless ambition.

This authentic approach to storytelling creates a relatable cartoon experience that captures the raw, true essence of underground London culture.

Where Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity set in North London once offered a record shop rooted in self-indulgent indie, misogyny and nostalgia, Wreckord Shop writes that wrong. In Esteban Castillo-Velez's vision, the protagonists are high-functioning, funk-loving dreamers paving the way for a new era of animated television. The three-part series features neurodivergent characters, LGBTQ+ representation, and vivid portrayals of London's multicultural communities.

In the series, we meet Riff, a left-wing, emotionally sensitive, neurodivergent vegan who channels his energy into social activism. He represents a generation grappling with identity, purpose, and the politics of everyday life. Vox brings a surreal, chaotic energy to the trio as a queer, pink disco-ball space creature with superpowers. She communicates exclusively through autotuned vocals and violence yet has a sincere love for R&B and disco. Despite her lack of conventional empathy, her bond with Riff and D.U.B is intense and passionate. D.U.B, the rave-loving DJ, spins jungle and drum and bass. He embodies the underground music scene that pulses through London's nightlife, connecting the city's past and present rave subcultures.

This is more than entertainment – it's recognition and validation for viewers who rarely see themselves reflected in animated content.

I, for one, found both nostalgia and closure in this show – deeply resonating with its themes through personal experience bearing witness to those very circles back in London.

Visually, Wreckord Shop is bold and distinctive, fusing 2D and 3D animation with an aesthetic reminiscent of the early 2000s. This stylistic blend taps into a unique visual nostalgia while keeping the show fresh and experimental.

Music is not just background – it's central to the show's identity. With nods to jungle, D&B, R&B, and rock, the soundtrack is a love letter to the sounds that shaped London's streets and bedrooms at the turn of the millennium. These references don't just decorate the show; they define it.

Wreckord Shop tackles the cost of living crisis, veganism, and rave culture — all highly relevant to young adults navigating modern life in Britain. By framing these themes through comedy and parody, it offers both escapism and critique.

Wreckord Shop's commitment to representation is prevalent as it gives voice to neurodivergent individuals, queer characters, and communities of colour without tokenism or stereotype.

Brixton is not just a setting – it's a living, breathing character. The area's cultural richness, its ongoing struggles with gentrification, and its legacy as a hub of resistance and creativity are all deeply intertwined in the narrative.

This isn't just a cartoon. It's a cultural statement. A celebration. A protest. A time capsule. It proves there's an appetite for locally made, adult animated content that's proudly, irreverently, and unmistakably British while speaking directly to audiences often left out of mainstream British animation.

Its success could, should and will encourage more creators to push the boundaries of what animation can do in the

UK.

- HARRY JAMES RELF