Nightmares On Wax’s new album Echo45 Sound System feels like the soundtrack to a twilight walk through memory and possibility. At its core is a deep reverence for sound system culture. The album title refers to a battered old speaker box called Echo45 that first sparked George Evelyn’s love of music when he was young.
Released on 14 November 2025 through Warp Records, the project spans 13 tracks along with a continuous mix version. It features a wide collection of collaborators including Yasiin Bey, Greentea Peng, Oscar Jerome, Liam Bailey and others.
The opener, “Echo45, We Are!” featuring Oscar Jerome, sets a warm and welcoming tone. It feels like a classic radio callout that draws you in. Throughout the record the sound moves between soul, dub, hip hop, reggae and electronic influences. The grooves feel sunlit at times and subterranean at others, giving the album both lift and depth.
“Bang Bien” with Yasiin Bey shows how bold the mixtape can become. Its beat work leans toward the futuristic while the vocals bring a spiritual and meditative energy. “I Remember,” featuring Greentea Peng, offers nostalgia tinted reflections on identity, memory and musical ancestry.
The fluidity of Echo45 is one of its strengths. The album does not commit to a single style, but it also avoids feeling overloaded. Instead, it travels from mood to mood with openness and intention. Fans who have followed Nightmares On Wax for years will hear familiar touches, while newcomers will find a generous and genre crossing introduction to his world.
If the album has a small drawback, it is that the wide range of guests and styles can blur its central identity. A few moments leave you wishing for a firmer through line. Even so, the record’s wandering spirit seems deliberate. Echo45 Sound System celebrates heritage while embracing evolution. It is soulful, warm and spacious, and it invites listeners to get lost in its rhythm.
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