In a dazzling nod to the golden age of analogue music, iconic new wave pioneers Duran Duran have teamed up with audio revivalists We Are Rewind to launch the WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition, a portable cassette player that blends retro glamour with cutting-edge hi-fi engineering. This limited-edition marvel isn’t just a playback device—it’s a shimmering portal to the ’80s and ’90s, complete with an exclusive reissue of the band’s underrated 2000 album Pop Trash on cassette. For audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts craving the tactile joy of tapes, this collaboration arrives just as UK cassette sales surged in the first quarter of 2025, proving physical media’s enduring allure in a streaming-dominated world.
Duran Duran Special Edition
The WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition channels the band’s signature sleek, glamorous aesthetic—think chrome accents and iridescent tones that evoke the opulent visuals of hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Rio.” Crafted from premium aluminium for a rugged yet luxurious feel, this isn’t your childhood Walkman; it’s a high-end audio accessory optimized for the modern era, delivering true hi-fi sound through a bespoke headphone amplifier tailored specifically for cassette playback. As We Are Rewind Founder and CEO Romain Boudruche puts it, “Duran Duran always had a look, a sense of style and control of how they looked and how they sounded and their association with cassettes is clear. We’re delighted to work with the band and help music fans connect with the value of music and physical media in an age of streaming.”
Reissue of Pop Trash
At the heart of this special edition is the cassette reissue of Pop Trash, Duran Duran’s experimental 2000 release that flew under the radar amid the dawn of the digital revolution. Back then, as the internet was still in its infancy and streaming was a distant dream, cassettes were the lifeblood of music discovery. Today, the WE-001 celebrates the album’s 25th anniversary by resurrecting that era in style.
When Pop Trash was originally released, the internet was in its infancy and streaming really wasn’t a thing, reflects Andrew Day, Duran Duran’s creative art director, designer, and photographer. Who knew that 25 years later, a cassette player would be a fitting way to celebrate its anniversary. The team at ‘We Are Rewind’ bent over backwards to make sure this wonderful collaboration with the band was a truly fitting one. The result is something that’s a lot more ‘Pop’, and a lot less ‘Trash’. Over the moon and back with the result, and I’m pretty sure Liberace would approve.
12 hours of battery life
What elevates the WE-001 from nostalgic gimmick to high-end essential are its thoughtful fusion of vintage charm and contemporary upgrades. Users can relive the ritual of tape playback while enjoying up to 12 hours of battery life via USB-C charging—no more fumbling with AA batteries. Bluetooth connectivity lets you pair wirelessly with headphones or speakers for seamless listening, or opt for wired setups through the dedicated 3.5mm jack. For the creatively inclined, a built-in recording function allows analogue captures from a powered microphone or line-in source, perfect for dubbing personal mixes or preserving live moments on tape.
Even the smallest details nod to cassette culture: a pencil is tucked into the box for those inevitable manual rewinds when a tape gets stubborn. The result is a device that’s as much a conversation piece as it is a sonic powerhouse, appealing to collectors who appreciate the WE-001’s aluminium chassis as a durable, heirloom-quality build.
Pricing and availability
Priced at €169 / $199 / £149, the WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition is available now directly from We Are Rewind’s website, making it an accessible entry into high-fidelity cassette revival. For fans of Duran Duran or anyone rediscovering the warmth of magnetic tape, this player doesn’t just play music—it resurrects the magic of an era when albums like Pop Trash sparked imagination one side at a time.
As physical formats make a triumphant return, collaborations like this remind us why analogue endures: it’s not just about the sound, but the story it tells. Wild boys indeed—Duran Duran and We Are Rewind have crafted a timeless tribute that’s ready to define the next generation of tape lovers.
