BEAMS Records' Portable CD Player Is a Flashback to the Analog Era
A tangerine-hued sequel to its blue Portable CD Player, the music shop of Japanese label BEAMS presents its latest analog tech exploration.
Summary
- BEAMS Records has released a nostalgic, clear orange portable CD player that emphasizes a retro, Y2K-inspired aesthetic.
- Diverging from modern Bluetooth versions, this “old-school” device features a traditional headphone jack and transparent shell, catering to the recent surge in physical media and transparent tech design.
BEAMS Records from Japan’s menswear purveyor BEAMS is releasing a nostalgic throwback with the unveiling of its clear Portable CD Player in orange.
Already available in Blue, the new bright orange colorway is even more retro-leaning than its predecessor. With the clear panel and shell, you not only see all the inner hardware but also the disc as it turns. All that’s needed to begin playing is a pair of AA batteries, a pair of wired headphones, and a CD, of course.
In 2024, BEAMS and Japanese audio brand km5 teamed up for the launch of a clear version of the Instant Disk CP1 CD player, equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 and 7-8 hours of rechargeable power. The latest Portable CD Player from BEAMS Records is even more old-school in its design, with no Bluetooth compatibility, boasting a traditional aux jack.
According to Hypemind, in 2024, CD sales surged by more than 10%. Furthermore, Hypemind’s report highlighted that, “With physical media creeping back and devices like km5’s CD players turning hardware into display pieces, transparency is starting to signal value, not gimmick.” Now contemporary labels like BEAMS and others, including Nothing, DJI, Korg, and SHARGE, are reviving the Y2K design trend for the present day. Clear gadgets have seen a revival in recent years as part of the general Y2k trend that has taken over fashion and eventually spilled into tech.
The BEAMS Records Portable CD Player is available now at the official BEAMS webstore.
