The Walkman makes a comeback (and it's French)

Whether it's strapped to Elliott Page’s ears in Juno, Marty McFly’s in Back to the Future, or even Lisa Simpson’s, the Walkman is an integral part of the musical culture of the 1980s, both on the big screen and in real life. And even though our beloved Gen-Z has grown up surrounded by the best listening technologies imaginable, the charm of the little black box with its wired headphones remains unbeatable. A charm combined with a nostalgia factor that sometimes makes us secretly think that no high-tech noise-canceling headset will ever replace the feeling of using a Walkman. And it is precisely for this reason that the French brand Muse has decided to bring it back to the forefront of the music market with a reinterpretation. And surprise: it only costs 50 euros.

Born in 1979, on the cusp of the 80s and all the musical treasures they gifted the industry, the Walkman arrived under the aegis of Sony and marked a major breakthrough in the music world: portable music. No longer was a fixed radio station, condemned to eternal stability, needed to listen to Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Now, you could wander the world with music in your ears. The phenomenon started in Japan but quickly won over listeners worldwide. With the initial stock selling out in a month, Sony decided to release the model in European and American markets as well. Though the device was renamed several times depending on the country (“Freestyle” in Sweden, “Storaway” in the UK, or “Soundabout” in the US), after a visit to Paris, Sony’s vice president restored its original name: the Walkman officially became the Walkman once again.

Today, in an era where the bittersweet taste of nostalgia is stronger than ever, some artists have fully embraced melancholia. That’s the case for Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, and Billie Eilish, who release their albums on cassette. Television has also played on our nostalgia factor, with series like Stranger Things and 13 Reasons Why, where cassettes and the Walkman play a central role. While vinyl records and turntables already managed to reclaim our hearts a few years ago, cassette tapes are making a significant comeback. More than 430,000 cassettes were sold in the United States in 2023—five times more than a decade ago. They’re also much cheaper than vinyl: for example, the cassette of The Tortured Poets Department sells for €19.99, compared to €38.99 for the vinyl. And Muse’s Walkman intends to respect this lower price range, as it is available for €50.99. While AirPods in all their variations are slowly fading away and good old wired headphones are making a comeback, perhaps we should fully embrace this return to the old, the familiar, and the practical—and turn to a Walkman. No more endless music choices or self-help podcasts we never actually listen to. A Walkman, a Depeche Mode cassette, and a good pair of walking shoes—what more could you ask for?