Written by J.L
Ever since Starlord played ‘Come And Get Your Love’ by Redbone on his walkman, the masses have shown genuine interest in cassettes again. Well, collectors would pelt me with stones if I say that a Disney movie helped bring back the cassettes… but it’s not entirely wrong, isn’t it?
This year’s release was nothing short of star-studded, with legendary bands re-releasing their fan favourites and newer bands plying their trade in the vintage market. So let’s see what’s the best releases for this year’s festivities:
Dog Day Diaries by Hacktick!
To say that pop punk has been revived is a bit farfetched, but Hacktick! played an instrumental role in injecting brand new flavours to the genre, and Dog Day Diaries was the record that catapulted their name to the forefront of the punk scene. The record is probably the freshest collection of pop punk tunes since Bunkface’s Phobia Phoney and it is now available in cassette form.
WHERE TO GET: Teenage Head Records, No 20 Jalan SS14/1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Positive Jams by Playburst
When Aidil (from Couple) said he was busy in the studio, everyone was sure that he was recording another Couple record (maybe he was doing that too?). But instead, Playburst came out, turning heads and inciting singalongs at gigs. We’ve always known that Aidil is a talented musician, but to produce an emo record, especially after the success of Milo Dinosaur and Social Circuit? Now that’s smart.
WHERE TO GET: Teenage Head Records, No 20 Jalan SS14/1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Malayneum by Butterfingers
Since Butterfingers will be reuniting for one last time (again), this release is considered timely. Even though most fans would enjoy Transcendence more, especially in conjunction with its 20th anniversary, this record was impactful when it first debuted. Certainly a blast in the past if you’re a fan since 1.2 Milligrams (or even before that).
WHERE TO GET: Teenage Head Records, No 20 Jalan SS14/1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Teenage Disc Fantastic by Couple
If we can’t get a new Couple album, this cassette re-release would suffice. Let’s admit it, Couple never actually had a bad album, and Teenage Disc Fantastic might just be the second best behind Top of the Pop (Let’s argue at the comment section, I’m ready). Let’s revisit the first time we’ve heard ‘Pergi’ on cassette, shall we?
WHERE TO GET: Teenage Head Records, No 20 Jalan SS14/1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Spastically by OAG
In a recent interview on Thinker Studio’s Korek Fizikal, Naza, the lead singer of the Times claimed that this record was the one that impressed him to join OAG. Due to that love for it, his label, Sputnik Records decided to re-release this exclusively for Cassette Store Day. First come, first serve they say, because this one will be selling like mad!
WHERE TO GET: Sputnik Rekordz, TD67, Level 3, Pasar Besar TTDI, Jalan Wan Kadir 1, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Ballad of Jimi Acid by The Times
The Ballad of Jimi Acid was the final release from The Times before they went on hiatus. Maybe not the most decorated one in their discography, but the record still packs a punch with songs like ‘Spektakular’ and ‘Wanita’. You might just want to grab this one, before The Times drop their rumored next album!
WHERE TO GET: Sputnik Rekordz, TD67, Level 3, Pasar Besar TTDI, Jalan Wan Kadir 1, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pop Bilik Tidur by Pastel Lite
After the success of Balada, Pastel Lite wasted no time to produce their latest record, Pop Bilik Tidur. The soft teaser of the album indicated that this one will be more dancey and disco than Balada, which compliments Eff Hakim’s voice really well. We’ve already heard their first single, ‘Hello Sayang’, that also featured Naza, now let’s enjoy the whole album — in casette form!
WHERE TO GET: Sputnik Rekordz, TD67, Level 3, Pasar Besar TTDI, Jalan Wan Kadir 1, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
