Singer Lemon (Instagram, 𝕏), who previously sang in The Hair and Wack Wack Rhythm Band, has released a first 7" solo single. The A-side is a cover of The Style Council's "Shout To The Top" (in Japanese as it used to be sung by Kumiko Koyanagi), and for B-side is an original song written by Geno Satō (Geno London, ex-The Hair). Both songs were arranged by nyacastle a.k.a. Shinsuke Nakamura (ex-New Castle). This is out now on Groove Unchant's label Unchantable Records.

Audio samples can be heard at Juno Records (UK).

Lemon "Shout To The Top" (7")
レモン 「Shout To The Top」

A. Shout To the Top
B. koi no Blue Light

Unchantable Records UCT059
Out 4/30, ¥:2000 (excl. tax)
Order: Disk Union, Jet Set, HMV, Tower (Japan only), Juno (UK)

Dai Nakamura (a.k.a. NUBACK, also of Blank Music, BANK and Vacation Three, ex-Arch) has released a new digital EP of two songs. The release is titled "Small Room" and included are two songs: "Another World (Small Room ver.)" and "Siesta". "Another World" is a new version of a song he first released ten years ago (see 2015 EP "Another World"). Apparently the first of a series of releases, these songs were recorded minimally with guitar and percussions.

The is now available on Bandcamp, and should become available on other streaming platforms around mid-May.

Dai Nakamura "Small Room" (Download)

1. Another World (Small Room ver.)
2. Siesta

Too Young Records
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

Maika Loubté has released a digital EP titled "Dream, Neo, Atmo" consisting of three covers of J-pop songs that mean a lot to her. Those are Spitz' "Robinson", Cocco's "tsuyoku hakanai monotachi" and Puffy's "Asia no junshin".

Maika will hold a solo show on Friday, June 6 at Circus Tokyo in Shibuya, an event titled "Vex's Messy House" in which she will also perform several new songs from the upcoming album she is currently making. Tickets can be bought via e+.

Maika Loubté "Dream, Neo, Atmo" (Download)

1. Robinson (Spitz cover)
2. tsuyoku hakanai monotachi (Cocco cover)
3. Asia no junshin (Puffy cover)

Water Records
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

There will be a release party held on June 7 at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar. Details can be found here, and tickets on the band reservation form (which also lists other upcoming shows).

in-store event with an acoustic set and autograph session held at Tower Records Kichijoji Parco on June 28 starting at 20:15, for those who bought the CD at selected Tower Records in Tokyo (Kichijoji Parco/Shinjuku/Shibuya/Ikebukuro/Machida). Details are in this 𝕏 thread.

Veg "Adrift in Time"

1. Intro
2. Midnight
3. yauyau
4. sono hi
5. Interlude I
6. hinemosu
7. Happy Turn
8. Stay
9. sabaku no yoru
10. michi no hoshi (Reprise)
11. tadashisa wa itsudemo
12. Interlude II
13. Toy Box
14. minato e
15. kaitei ressha
16. senaka o
17. We Band

Veg VEG-001
Out 4/16, ¥3000 (excl. tax)
Order: Tower, Amazon, HMV, CDJapan, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Kaede (Negicco) has released a new song digitally, titled "Rushmore". Written and produced by Yūsuke Satō (caméra-stylo), it also features guitar played by Shinrizumu. It's the theme song for the movie "haru no yukisaki" (directed by Tarō Shibano).

This follows the single "Wrong" released last fall, after which a remix of its title song by Sora Ichikawa was also released digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

Kaede "Rushmore" (Download)

Fall Wait Records
Out now (3/26)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Dai Nakamura (a.k.a. NUBACK, also of Blank Music, BANK and Vacation Three, ex-Arch) has released a new digital EP titled "One Day". Included are sound sketches recorded in January and February 2025, and also a self-cover of BANK's "Himitsu" (a song released on 7" in 2017).

The release can be found primarily on Bandcamp, and it's also up on YouTube and is now also available on other download/streaming platforms: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY.

This follows the EP "Nami Oto" as Dai Nakamura, since which he also released "Nozomu Mono" as NUBACK.

Dai Nakamura "One Day" (Download)
Dai Nakamura 「One Day / 或る日」
(Japanese title: "One Day / aru hi")

1. Himitsu
2. One Day Part 1
3. One Day Part 2
4. A Nettai

Too Young Records
Out now (3/17)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these pages. Tune in at the times below at https://lafaceb.live.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.58) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on March 10, 2025 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: March 11, 2025 from 9:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks, including the times below:

EDT (Montréal/New York) —

Thurs. March 20 at 6h30 a.m.

Japan time —

Thurs. March 20 at 19h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (according to Spotify availability), or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts you can listen to.

1. Owarikarahajimari "We Are Feeling Love" (2025)
(Japanese title: おわりからはじまり 「We Are Feeling Love」)

Owarikarahajimari has released in January a new song titled "We Are Feeling Love" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). This song follows the EP "back to me" released last year (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Owarikarahajimari is an electronic rock band, formed of Ayup1ko (lead vocals & keyboards), Naka Tomizawa (a.k.a. King of Opus) (guitar, bass, programming), ALi Sueoka (guitar), and Wada Masao (computer/sound effects). All members also sing backing vocals.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Owarikarahajimari, OCHA∞ME

2. OCHA∞ME "Salad Days" (2024)
(Japanese title: OCHA∞ME 「サラダデイズ」)

The band OCHA∞ME (Instagram, 𝕏) released its first full-length album "walk on the boat" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) last October digitally and then on vinyl in January. The song "Salad Days" appears on this album. Check out the music video below!

3. Hazy Sour Cherry "Zombilly Rave (till someone call police!)" (2024)

From the latest album of Hazy Sour Cherry (Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp), the horror concept album "Hazy Horror Party" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music), this is the song "Zombilly Rave (till someone call police!)". The album is the original soundtrack of a fictional horror movie, and although dropped in time for last Halloween, it's always time for a fun spooky time. Read more about the album and each of the songs at Bandcamp.

Available mainly on Bandcamp, in digital and colored-LP editions, it can also be found on download/streaming platforms. The LP was released on UK label Damnably. Those in Japan can also order the LP directly from the band's web shop.

4. Kidder Friendly Club "Endless Summertime Blues" (2023)

From girl garage band Kidder Friendly Club (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube)'s latest mini-album "Kidder Friendly Philosophy" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). On it appears the song "Endless Summertime Blues". Check out the music video below!

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Hazy Sour Cherry, Kidder Friendly Club, Salome no Kuchibiru

5. Salome no Kuchibiru "Niju rasen no koi" (2020)
(Japanese title: サロメの唇 「二重螺旋の恋」)

Salome no Kuchibiru (aka Salome Lips) was a unique band that mixed rock and unique singing that often reminded of Japanese minyō chants. They disbanded towards the end of 2020 after some 17 years of activity, but they did release an epic last album titled "Religion" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Since then, leader and bassist Satoshi Mizuno has gone a long way into a different art form: sculpture (see his Instagram account). He will however play bass in an event for the first time in 4 years on March 29 at Green Apple in Kōenji (details), with members of another band he was part of named New Action.

6. AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN "Junk" (2024)

Next is a song from the first album of Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan (𝕏, Instagram), "Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan Republic" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song "Junk" is one that's written and produced by the album's main producer CMJK (Cutemen, ex-Denki Groove).

Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan, nicknamed Konneki, is known both as a comedian/talent and a musical artist. Check out her YouTube channel.

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN, The Pen Friend Club

7. The Pen Friend Club "Tell Me (Do You Really Love Me) (Re-recording 2024)" (2024)

This is the closing song from The Pen Friend Club's latest album "Back In The Pen Friend Club" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), the first album featuring their latest vocalist Niina (UK-born British-Japanese). The album is also available on CD (CDJapan, HMV).

The Pen Friend Club also recently released a greatest hits album covering the last 6 years: "Best Of The Pen Friend Club 2018-2024".

The band is now working on a brand new double album of just original songs, to be titled "Songularity", and there is a crowdfunding project to support it.

Thank you for tuning in! Information about replays can be found at the top of the page.

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some older ones on Mixcloud.

Gallantique Kazue (of Hoshikuzu Scat) has released a new single on CD and vinyl. It features for backband the Yasushi Suzuki Group (a group based at U.F.O. Club in Koenji) and also members of Wack Wack Rhythm Band.

The title song "tada sore dake no koto" is a cover of Kimiko Sakai (and was also covered in the recent years by Aki Yashiro in "Songs Around Midnight"), and also included are covers of "koi wa massakasama" (from the movie "Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal") and "kusari" (a.k.a. "Chain of Love") from the anime "sasurai no taiyō".

The 7" edition will come a bit later at the end of March, and contain "tada sore dake no koto" and "kurari". The 3 songs from the CD are also available digitally on download/streaming platforms.

Gallantique Kazue has upcoming band-backed shows at Cotton Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo on March 8 and 15, and also a piano set on March 23 at Theater Mercury in Shinjuku. Find the full schedule here.

Gallantique Kazue & Yasushi Suzuki Group "tada sore dake no koto" (CD/Download)
ギャランティーク和恵と鈴木やすしグループ 「ただそれだけのこと」

1. tada sore dake no koto
2. koi wa massakasama
3. kusari

CD edition
More More Love MLCD0019
Out now (2/19), ¥1637 (excl. tax)
Order: Amazon, Tower (Japan only), , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Disk Union, HMV

Gallantique Kazue & Yasushi Suzuki Group "tada sore dake no koto" (7")
ギャランティーク和恵と鈴木やすしグループ 「ただそれだけのこと」

A. tada sore dake no koto
B. kusari

7" edition
Clinck Records CREP5751
Out 3/28, ¥2000 (excl. tax)
Order: Tower (Japan only), Disk Union, HMV