We Are Rewind is back with another throwback you can actually use. The new WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition cassette player isn’t just a collector’s item—it’s a fully functional portable music player that blends old-school analog charm with some very welcome modern upgrades. If this looks familiar, you might remember the Elvis Presley-themed WE-001 from October. And if you're really keeping score, the company also dropped a full-sized GB-001 Bluetooth boombox earlier this year.

This time around, the spotlight is on Pop Trash, Duran Duran’s glittery 2000 album. The special edition player celebrates its 25th anniversary with a bundled cassette version of the album and a design that leans hard into the band’s glam-rock aesthetic.

Let’s start with the basics: yes, this is a cassette player. And yes, it looks like something pulled right from the Pop Trash tour bus—metallic, sparkly, and built to stand out. It's based on We Are Rewind’s standard WE-001 model, but this version comes decked out with Duran Duran styling and a few subtle nods to the band’s visual history.

More importantly, it's not just about looks. Inside, you’ll find a headphone amplifier specifically tuned for cassette playback, which is pretty rare these days. That means your tapes—whether they’re old favorites or new reissues—should sound about as good as they can on a portable device.

"When Pop Trash was originally released, the internet was in its infancy and streaming really wasn't a thing. 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," says Andrew Day, Duran Duran creative art director, designer and photographer.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The WE-001 Duran Duran player adds Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair it with wireless headphones or modern Bluetooth speakers. That means you’re not stuck hunting for a pair of old earbuds with a 3.5mm jack (though that option’s still there if you want it).

The battery is rechargeable via USB-C, which is a huge step up from the AA batteries cassette players used to rely on. You’ll get about 12 hours of playback on a full charge. That’s more than enough for a few loops of Pop Trash, plus whatever mixtapes you still have lying around.

And yes, it can record, too. Plug in a mic or a line source through the 3.5mm jack, pop in a blank tape, and you’re making your own analog recordings like it’s 1993 all over again.

We’re not joking, you really do get a pencil in the box. If you ever had to manually rewind a tape back in the day, you know exactly why that matters. For everyone else: when your tape unspools, a pencil (or any narrow stick) fits perfectly into the reel for a quick manual rewind. It’s a small but thoughtful touch for anyone who’s used cassettes before.

And if you’re the type to wear your nostalgia literally on your hip, We Are Rewind sells a belt clip as an optional accessory. Whether it’s practical or just part of the look is up to you.

"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," says We Are Rewind Founder and CEO Romain Boudruche.

What You’re Getting:

• Limited edition Duran Duran design
• Cassette reissue of Pop Trash album included
• Bluetooth for wireless headphones/speakers
• Headphone amp tuned for cassette playback
• Line-in and mic input for analog recording
• 12-hour USB-C rechargeable battery
• Aluminum body (no plastic here)
• Comes with a pencil for manual rewinding
• Optional belt clip accessory

We Are Rewind has been steadily building out a product lineup that mixes nostalgia with modern tech. The Elvis edition launched just two months ago, and the GB-001 boombox added a bigger, louder option for cassette playback earlier this year.

The Duran Duran edition is the latest in this series, offering just enough new features—like Bluetooth and USB-C charging—to make it more than just a shelf piece. It doesn’t try to reinvent cassette playback, but it does make the experience more practical for people who live in a wireless world.

The WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition is available now directly from We Are Rewind and other select retailers. Pricing is set at $199 in the US, £149 in the UK, and €169 in Europe. The standard WE-001 is available at Amazon for $160.

It’s clearly aimed at fans—whether you’re a longtime Durannie or someone rediscovering analog in the age of streaming. The included Pop Trash cassette adds a collectible edge, and the glam styling sets it apart from more utilitarian audio gear.

This release also arrives at a time when physical formats are making a surprising comeback. Cassette sales in the UK reportedly rose by more than 200% in early 2025, suggesting there’s still an appetite for hands-on music experiences, especially when paired with modern conveniences.

Whether you're reliving your mixtape era or just curious about what cassette culture was all about, this is one way to plug back into a format that refuses to disappear—even in 2025.