We Are Rewind is bringing a synthwave collaboration to its portable cassette player lineup. The new We Are Rewind The Midnight edition pairs the WE-001 player with a Purple Swirl cassette edition of the duo’s latest album, Syndicate. The limited-edition package launches October 1, 2026, priced at $199. Combining cassette playback with Bluetooth connectivity and a rechargeable battery, the collaboration connects The Midnight’s retro-inspired music with a format that helped shape the band’s relationship with listening.
The Midnight Meets the WE-001 Cassette Player
The Midnight’s Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle formed the project in Los Angeles in 2012, with early songwriting ideas partly inspired by the film Drive. Their enthusiasm for the sounds and culture of the 1980s makes a portable cassette player a natural fit for the collaboration. For the duo, the appeal goes beyond revisiting familiar technology. In the announcement, McEwan and Lyle describe cassette listening as a way to reconnect with the experience of discovering music as children while bringing that experience into the present. The included Syndicate Purple Swirl cassette gives fans an album to play straight out of the box, making the package both a listening setup and a collectible tied to the band.
Bluetooth 5.1 and Wired Headphone Listening
The limited-edition model retains the core features of the We Are Rewind WE-001. Bluetooth 5.1 allows users to listen through compatible wireless headphones, speakers, and soundbars, bringing modern playback options to a physical music format. A 3.5mm headphone output supports wired listening, while forward and rewind controls handle tape navigation. This combination gives listeners flexibility to use the player with either wired headphones or a wireless setup.
Rechargeable Battery and Mixtape Recording
A built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of playback, according to We Are Rewind. That makes the WE-001 suitable for portable listening without relying on disposable batteries. The player also offers line-in recording for making mixtapes. The announcement notes that voice recording is possible with a compatible microphone, adding another use for listeners who want to create their own tapes.
WE-001 Sound Specifications
We Are Rewind lists an upgraded frequency response of 30 Hz–14,500 Hz, ±3 dB, alongside sound reproduction optimized for cassette playback. The announcement does not provide listening-test results, but the specifications outline the player’s stated playback capabilities. Its combination of cassette recording, wired output, and Bluetooth connectivity is central to its appeal as a modern portable tape player.
The We Are Rewind The Midnight edition goes on sale October 1, 2026, for $199 directly through We Are Rewind. The package includes the limited-edition WE-001 cassette player and Syndicate on Purple Swirl cassette.
