Tom Vek unveils smaller, cheaper Sleevenote music player

Vek first gained attention in 2005 with his album We Have Sound, which received a 7.6 rating from Pitchfork. His music appeared on The OC and the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack. His follow-up, Leisure Seizure, reached No. 79 on the UK charts in 2011, and he released Newer Symbols in 2022. He began working on Sleevenote in 2020, inspired by vinyl packaging. Sourcing components such as square screens proved difficult, and the original prototype was roughly the size of a 7-inch single, but thicker and heavier.

The new Sleevenote is smaller and cheaper, and the final batch of Day One Editions is on sale now. Vek, who is turning his attention to the next chapter of the project, said he welcomes the offline resurgence but wants to see new ideas rather than new retro-style CD and cassette players. “It is a great sign that people want offline dedicated music experiences, but I want to see new ideas,” he told The Verge. He said he is particularly interested in ideas that push digital music purchasing because it is far better for musicians than buying second-hand CDs. “I want my kids’ generation not to be stuck in a retro cycle, or a doomed big tech cycle,” he said. “I want to see thoughtfully created indie tech products that could not have existed at any other time.” He added, “I remember cassettes, they sound awful.”