The cassette player is back
So, what is this all about? Quite simply, the team behind the project has decided to bring the cassette player back. Why? Because the cassette tape itself is making a comeback.
Back in 1979, the very first Sony Walkman, the TPS-L2, was released — a device that sold more than 220 million units and became a cultural icon, celebrated in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and the hit series Stranger Things. It is this sense of nostalgia and the renewed fascination with the 1980s and 1990s that inspired the idea: what if, like vinyl, the cassette player were also ready for a revival?
At a time when music has gone digital and everything is instantly accessible, the magnetism and romanticism of an audio cassette remain intact. Sales of cassettes have been rising steadily since 2012 — a clear sign that interest is real. The next step was to create a cassette player truly worthy of its legacy.
To achieve this, the creators turned to the expertise of French engineers with more than 40 years of experience in analog technology, particularly from the Thomson company. Through a partnership with ORA — a firm specialising in high-end audio equipment — they set out to design a premium cassette player with a refined, minimalist aesthetic inspired by the original Sony Walkman.
However, the journey was not without challenges. Finding the necessary mechanical parts for manufacturing cassette players proved difficult, as most factories had shut down over a decade ago. There was also the issue of replaceable batteries. The solution soon became clear: the new player would operate on a rechargeable battery — a more practical, eco-friendly, and innovative approach. To meet modern listening habits, the device would also feature Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, allowing users to enjoy their tapes with or without wires. In addition, a recording function was added, enabling users to create their own mixtapes — perhaps the most romantic Valentine’s gift of all.
We Are Rewind represents a bold vision: to offer nostalgic listeners, music enthusiasts, and design lovers — anyone who believes that music should be something tangible — the chance to live or relive an unforgettable listening experience.