Disk Union, which ships directly within Japan only, gives away a promo keychain while supplies last.
A show in Osaka for the release will be held on April 14 at Umeda Hardrain. In Tokyo, Tetsuko's guitarist/vocalist Reiko will perform solo on March 29 at Higashi-Koenji UFO Club. Her other band Super Gentle also has a show planned at UFO Club on April 21. Details can be found here.
Tetsuko "Curl"
テツコ 「Curl」
1. Holy girl Tetsuko
2. Sad
3. Kyoto Girl
4. 15000 time
5. HELLO (album version)
6. Permanent
7. BABY BABY BABY
8. Stocking Lady
9. Spring a black hole
10. Mr.Thunder (album version)
Sazanami Label SZDW1112
Out now (3/6), ¥2273 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, CDJapan, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Amazon, Disk Union
"Holy girl Tetsuko"
"Hello" (Single version)
]]>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.47) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on March 21 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: March 22, 2024 from 9:30 a.m.
This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks.
Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (some replaced 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 which you can listen to.
1. xiangyu "michibata ni negi" (2023)
(Japanese title: xiangyu 「道端にネギ」)
We're starting with the most recent song by xiangyu (Twitter, Instagram), "michibata ni negi". It's from her latest EP titled "OTO-SHIMONO" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) made in collaboration with trackmaker Gimgigam.
"Otoshimono" translates to "lost items" (or in a more direct translation, "dropped things"), as xiangyu's recent tracks were all about things found on the street are all in: shoes, gloves, and dentures... In this new song she sang about inadvertently dropped negi (green onion or Japanese leek). While not an everyday sight, it's also not a very rare one in Japan as these long veggies may be the most likely to slip out of a shallow shopping bag. Check out this cool video!
xiangyu will be part of the "Synchronicity '24" festival to be held in various venues in Shibuya on April 14. Tickets are available at Pia.
🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: xiangyu, Voodoo Club
2. Voodoo Club "If You Fall In Love" (2024)
(Japanese title: 暴動クラブ bōdō Club 「恋に落ちたら」 "koi ni ochitara")
Voodoo Club (𝕏, Instagram) is an up-and-coming young rock band. "If You Fall In Love" is a new single released digitally on Valentine's Day. Check out its music video below! The release also contained a cover of "My Coo Ca Choo" originally by Alvin Stardust. Check it out here: Spotify, , YouTube Music.
Upcoming shows of Voodoo Club include event "Rock'n'Roll Circus" on April 4 at Ogikubo Top Beat Club, and label event "Beat East x Donut 'Beat Donut'" on April 25 at Shindaita Fever. A new 7" single has also be announced to be coming for Record Store Day on April 20.
3. THE LET'S GO's "boku wa Bandman" (2024)
(Japanese title: THE LET'S GO's 「ぼくはバンドマン」)
Girl rock trio THE LET'S GO's has recently released a 2-song single, of which the title song is "boku wa Bandman" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Watch the song's teaser clip below.
The single is available digitally, and also on CD at their shows and at online shop (shipping within Japan).
THE LET'S GO's' upcoming shows include one at a release party of Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass, to be held at Flowers Loft in Shimokitazawa on March 20. Find all upcoming show info here.
"boku wa Bandman" teaser clip
4. IGUWANNAS "NingenDesu" (2024)
(Japanese title: IGUWANNAS 「人間です」)
IGUWANNAS is a rock band from Kyoto that was formed in 1994, and has released two albums in the 2000s before breaking up in 2013. 10 years later they're back with the digital release of two new songs. "NingenDesu" is a brand new one (Spotify, , YouTube Music), while the other one "NandemoYokattaNoni" which was first played as a new song in their farewell show 10 years ago and found in a recording from back then (Spotify, , YouTube Music).
A show will be held in Tokyo on April 6 at Top Beat Club, also featuring The Bawdies and Yoru no Strangers. Tickets are on sale via e+.
🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: THE LET'S GO's, IGUWANNAS, °C-want you!
5. °C-want you! "Costello Megane" (2024)
(Japanese title: ℃-want you! 「コステロメガネ」)
This is the new single of singer-songwriter ℃-want you! (𝕏, Instagram) (also a member of Magic, Drums & Love). "Costello Megane" (megane = glasses 👓) was released on 7" and digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music), with the 7" containing an exclusive B-side titled "Sugar Sugar". Both songs are originals written by ℃-want you!, and both were produced by Seiji Mutō.
℃-want you!'s upcoming shows include event "Gasoline Idol Rock Festival" on April 28 at Ogikubo Top Beat Club (info), and at event "Delicatessen Recordings presents Escapade!" on June 22 at Shibuya Under Deer Lounge, the latter where she'll be backed by band Meet the Hopes (info).
6. Tetsuto Yoshida "Kiefer Sutherland mitai na yatsu" (2023)
(Japanese title: 吉田哲人 「キーファー・サザーランドみたいな奴」)
Singer-songwriter Tetsuto Yoshida (𝕏) recently released a first solo album titled "The Summing Up" (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower), which contains the song "KIefer Sutherland mitai na yatsu" in its latest shiny version. Also released at the same time is another 2-CD album titled "The World Won't Listen" of works consisting of acid/techno sounds.
While "The Summing Up" is available so far on CD only, a vinyl edition will also be released for Record Store Day on April 20. A release event will be held on April 27 at Shibuya La.mama, starting at 11:30, also featuring Shino Kobayashi and more (full details should be announced soon).
Album "The Summing Up" trailer clip
7. The Caraway "Fall in love again" (2024)
The Caraway (𝕏) is the guitar pop solo project of Osamu Shimada (Swinging Popsicle), and he has just released a brand new album titled "Our brilliiant weekend". It had been 18 years since the first self-titled album (2006).
Find the whole album on CD or digitally at Bandcamp. The CD is also available at disques blue-very, Amazon, Tower Records, and within Japan directly from The Caraway's official online shop.
🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Tetsuto Yoshida, the Caraway, The Second Waltz
8. The Second Waltz "suki ni nacchatta" (2023)
(Japanese title: セカンドワルツ 「好きになっちゃった」)
The Second Waltz (𝕏, Instagram) is the unit of Yūnosuke Kawamura (a.k.a. Chiyoji), and was until last year known as The Romans. Last year The Second Waltz released its first album titled "Telepath Girl" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which is featured the song "suki ni nacchatta".
This song was also released recently on 7" via the San Francisco-based Tokyo Beatniks Record Label (Bandcamp), and can be ordeered via the label's Bandcamp. The 7" is a split-single and has on the flipside the song "Colours" by Ichiban (California) (Bandcamp, Instagram).
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.
]]>Aside from the CD and digital release of this album, two 7" cuts have of the first 4 songs been announced to be coming on April 20: "Oshare Middle / Tokyo No Yane No Shita" (CDJapan, Amazon, Tower) and "Hey Hey Boogie / Kaimono Boogie" (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower).
Various Artists "seiki no uta, kokoro no uta -Ryōichi Hattori Tribute-"
オムニバス 「世紀のうた・心のうた -服部良一トリビュート-」
(Title / Artist)
1. Hey Hey Boogie / Magokoro Brothers
2. Oshare Middle (Contains Samples Of "oshare musume") / Scha Dara Parr
3. Kaimono Boogie / Keiichi Sokabe & Inokashira Rangers
4. Tokyo No Yane No Shita / Konishi Yasuharu feat. Miyako Kōda
5. Wakare No Blues / Tjiros
6. Osaka Boogie Woogie / Hitomi Yaida
7. Aoi Sanmyaku / Kanji Ishimaru
8. Tokyo Boogie Woogie / Nozomi Fūto
9. Soshū Yakyoku / Yoshio Inoue
Nippon Columbia COCP-42193
Out now (2/21), ¥3000 (excl. tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, CDJapan, , Spotify, YouTube Music
IGUWANNAS is a rock band from Kyoto that was formed in 1994, and has released two albums in the 2000s before breaking up in 2013. 10 years later they're back with the digital release of two new songs: one which was first played as a new song in their farewell show 10 years ago ("NandemoYokattaNoni"), here released as it was found in a recording from back then, and the other which is a brand new one ("NingenDesu").
Both of their previous albums are now also available digitally: "FALL iN LOVE WiTH EiGHT BEAT... " (2002) (, Spotify, YouTube Music) and "Rock'n'Roll After School" (2009) (, Spotify, YouTube Music).
A show will be held in Tokyo on April 6 at Top Beat Club, also featuring The Bawdies and Yoru no Strangers. Tickets are on sale via e+.
IGUWANNAS "NandemoYokattaNoni" (Download)
IGUWANNAS 「なんでもよかったのに」
DECKREC/UK.PROJECT DCRC-0089
Out now (2/28)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
IGUWANNAS "NingenDesu" (Download)
IGUWANNAS 「人間です」
DECKREC/UK.PROJECT DCRC-0090
Out now (2/28)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
"NandemoYokattaNoni"
"NingenDesu"
]]>NUBACK (pronounced Noo-back), the solo project of singer-songwriter Dai Nakamura (also of Blank Music, BANK and Vacation Three, ex-Arch), has just released two new tracks on Bandcamp.
The new songs should become available in a month or so on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.
This NUBACK release follows "Kanata / Tagai Chigai" out in September last year. Dai Nakamura also released two songs in December under his own name: "Goodbye / for Alison".
NUBACK "Yuragi / Always Changing" (Download)
1. Yuragi
2. Always Changing
Too Young Records
Out now (2/25)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp
Voodoo Club (𝕏, Instagram) has released a brand new single digitally. Check out the music video of "If You Fall In Love" (Japanese title "koi ni ochitara") below! The B-side is a cover of "My Coo Ca Choo" originally by Alvin Stardust.
This follows the 7" single "Theme of Voodoo Club" released for Record Day 2023.
A 2nd 7" single has also be announced to be coming for Record Store Day on April 20, titled "Cynical Baby c/w ki ni naru omae".
Upcoming shows include event "Rock'n'Roll Animal" on March 3 at Hatagaya Club Heavy Sick inn Hatagaya, "Rock'n'Roll Circus" on April 4 at Ogikubo Top Beat Club, and label event "Beat East x Donut 'Beat Donut'" on April 25 at Shindaita Fever.
Voodoo Club "If You Fall In Love c/w My Coo Ca Choo" (Download)
暴動クラブ
「恋におちたら c/w 俺のあの娘」
(Japanese title: "koi ni ochitara c/w ore no ano ko")
1. If You Fall In Love
2. My Coo Ca Choo
Beat East
Out now (2/14)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
The album consists of original songs except for covers of "Since Yesterday" (Strawberry Switchblade) and "Time After Time" (Cindy Lauper). The songs "So" and "Since Yesterday" were previously released as a digital single, though these have been updated into album versions.
This also follows the release of "Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan E.P" digitally in January last year: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY.
A performance in Tokyo Tower was held on February 22, and a document movie of it can be watched on YouTube.
Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan "Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan Republic" (Download)
1. Democratic People Republic of KON NEKI
2. So (Album Version)
3. Since Yesterday (Album Version)
4. George JAZZ
5. Ami
6. Name In The Moon
7. Konya
8. WHITE WOLF
9. Time After Time
10. Gam'n
11. Junk
12. Riviera
22nd Century Tunes 22CT-73
Out now (2/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
"So" (Single version)
]]>The two songs were first released digitally, and are now available as an album on CD and digitally with for bonus tracks live performances by the two singers of some famous songs by the composer taken from a show of Maki Nomiya's Shibuya-kei show series on September 18, 2023 at Billboard Live Tokyo.
Miki Hirayama & Maki Nomiya "Artist / Hot na chikyū yo"
平山みき & 野宮真貴 「アーティスト/ホットな地球よ」
Disc1
1. Artist
2. Hot na chikyū yo
Disc2
1. MC
2. kurenai Hotel / Maki Nomiya
3. Hey Girl / Maki Nomiya
4. manatsu no dekigoto / Miki Hirayama
5. isuka dokoka de / Miki Hirayama
6. Friends / Miki Hirayama & Maki Nomiya
7. Artist / Miki Hirayama & Maki Nomiya
8. Dancing Seventeeen / Maki Nomiya
Space Shower Music DDCB-12985
Out now (2/14), ¥3000 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, CDJapan, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Amazon
"Artist"
"Hot na chikyu yo"
]]>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.46) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on February 15 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: February 16, 2024 from 10:30 a.m.
This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks, including the times below:
Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (some replaced 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 which you can listen to.
1. Yucca "3am" (2024)
The first song is a new one by indie-pop band Yucca (Bandcamp, Facebook, 𝕏), which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. In January they released this brand new song titled "3am" (Bandcamp, Spotify, ). Check out the music video below.
It had been 8 years since their previous song. Most (if not all) of Yucca's music can be found on Bandcamp.
🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Yucca, Color Filter
2. Color Filter "Light and Shadow" (2023)
Color Filter (Bandcamp) is a unit led by Ryuji Tsuneyoshi that started in the late 90s and made several releases in and out of Japan across a decade (some of those can be found on Spotify and other download/streaming platforms). The unit resumed its activities a few years ago, joined by vocalist Minami Taga (also a singer in dream pop duo macominaming (𝕏)).
"Light and Shadow" is their latest song, available on Bandcamp, along with four more.
Color Filter will perform at café North Marine Drive in Shibuya on April 21, 2024. Details should be announced later here.
3. Frontier Backyard with Neil & Iraiza "Enjoy The Ride" (2024)
2024 marks the 20th of Frontier Backyard. To kick it off, they were joined by Neil & Iraiza (𝕏, Instagram) for a collaboration song titled "Enjoy The Ride" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) which was released digitally in January.
Frontier Backyard is the unit of TGMX and Tadaaki "TDC" Fukuda, and Neil & Iraiza is formed of Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda and Hirohisa Horie.
4. Keichi & The Coconut Groove "Voyage to Cythera" (2024)
(Japanese title: ケイチ&ココナッツ・グルーヴ Keichi & Coconut Groove 「シテール島への船出」 "Cythera-tō e no funade")
Keichi & The Coconut Groove (𝕏, Instagram) is a young band self-described as the Shibuya-kei of subscription music age. "Voyage to Cythera" is a new song from their latest single released in January, "Tell Me You Are There" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).
Keichi & The Coconut Groove will host an event titled "Neuromantic" on Tuesday March 19 at Moonromantic in Aoyama, Tokyo. Also playing will be Ruan with Exotic Club and Tyrkouaz. Find details here.
🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Frontier Backyard with Neil & Iraiza, Keichi & Coconut Groove, YMCK
5. YMCK "TEN" (2023)
YMCK recently celebrated its 20th anniversary! They released in September a new album titled "TEN+TEN" (read "Ten Ten") (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The double album is made of 20 tracks, ten original songs that revisit all of their previous works, plus the brand new song "TEN" (played this time), and ten remixes and covers by other artists.
"TEN+TEN" is also available as a 2-CD set via Amazon.
6. AOI12SAI "Sea of Neon" (2023)
(Japanese title: あおい12さい 「Sea of Neon」)
AOI12SAI (Instagram, 𝕏) is a singer-songwriter also active as part of ARAKAWAYA. She has released at the beginning of this year the new song "Sea of Neon" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). This song follows the mini-album "POV" released in May last year.
AOI12SAI will perform at BAR OPK in Nishi-Ogikubo on February 17, 2023. Details can be found here.
🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: AOI12SAI, Dai Nakamura
7. Dai Nakamura "Good Bye" (2023)
(Japanese title: Dai Nakamura 「グッドバイ」)
Dai Nakamura (aka NUBACK, Blank Music, also of bands BANK and Vacation Three) released a new single of two songs recently, one of which is "Good Bye" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music).
These songs followed the full-length album "Room, Sea and Me" out in February 2023. Dai Nakamura also recently released music as Blank Music ("Last Night / Zero") and NUBACK ("Kanata / Tagai Chigai"). More from NUBACK is expected to be coming very soon. Stay tuned!
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.
]]>This compilation was first released in September 2023 as a 17-track CD exclusive to Tower Records, and also digitally with a few tracks removed ( (Japan), Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).
Find a list of all previous releases of the series below.
Various Artists "City Music Tokyo interchange" (12")
(Title / Artist)
A1. tōzakaru inu / Souki Urakami
A2. watashi o hanasanai de / Orangeade
A3. underline / Manabu Imada
A4. wakai / Ornithology
A5. Believe in Love / Blue Peppers
B1. Sunset Beach feat. Hiyori Nara / City Himes
B2. Million Miles Away -Edit / Milk Talk & Vantage
B3. dakishimetai yo (feat. HIMI) / LAGHEADS
B4. DAYZ / AAAMYYY x MONJOE
B5. INVISIBLE feat. Kurumi / Yusuke Hirado
Insense Music Works Inc. IMWVR-1025
Out now (1/24), ¥3500 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, Amazon
Previous releases of the "City Music Tokyo" series:
- "City Music Tokyo invitation"
- "City Music Tokyo junction" (Tower Records exclusive CD) and its vinyl edition (see City Pop on Vinyl 2022)
- "City Music Tokyo tremolo" (Tower Records exclusive CD) and its vinyl edition (see Record Store Day 2023)
- "City Music Tokyo signal"
- "City Music Tokyo parallelism"
- "City Music Tokyo corner" and its vinyl edition (see Record Day 2023)
- "City Music Tokyo multiple"
- "City Music Tokyo invitation" (Tower Records exclusive CD)
- "City Music Tokyo reflection" (Amazon, HMV, Tower)
Natsu Summer (Facebook, Instagram) has released just recently a new 7", of her latest song "Think of Summer". The city pop reggae song was written and arranged by her main producer Cunimondo Takiguchi (Ryusenkei).
First released digitally last October, and also featured on Natsu Summer's first mix CD "Endless Natsu Summer" (exclusive to Tower Records), the song is now available physically in full for the first time. The B-side is an instrumental version exclusive to this 7".
Natsu Summer will DJ on February 13 at a release event for SAKUra's 7" single, to be held at restaurant Chompoo at Shibuya Parco. It seems that this will be the singer's first public appearance, who was 12-year-old at the time of the recording (in 2021). The event details can be found here.
Natsu Summer "Think of Summer" (7")
ナツ・サマー 「Think of Summer」
A. Think of Summer
B. Think of Summer (Instrumental)
Insense Music Works IMWVR1026
Out 1/24, ¥2000 (excl. tax)
Order: Tower (Japan only), HMV, Amazon
Guest musicians include Momoko Kawakami (of Keichi & Coconut Groove) who plays trumpet on "Our brilliant weekend", Mayumi Ikemizu (Three Berry Icecream) playing accordion on "Cookies dances waltz at midnight", and Hisashi Iwabuchi (Sloppy Joe) on bass on "All up to you".
Check out the sampler clip below, and find the whole album on CD or digitally at Bandcamp or disques blue-very. Within Japan, the CD can also be ordered directly from The Caraway's official online shop. Distribution through other shops (such as Amazon and Tower Records) will start on February 24.
The Caraway "Our brilliant weekend"
1. Sunday morning biking
2. Fall in love again
3. Our brilliant weekend
4. Birthday girl
5. Venus in motion
6. Cookies dances waltz at midnight
7. Love is a miracle
8. All up to you
9. Long tailed Sally
10. Last night
11. When I look into the camera
blue-very label blvd-036
Out now (1/28), ¥2273 (excl. tax)
Order: Bandcamp, disques blue-very, Tower, Amazon
Sampler clip
]]>Singer-songwriter ℃-want you! (also a member of Magic, Drums & Love) has just released a brand new single, titled "Costello Megane" (megane = glasses). Both songs are originals written by ℃-want you!, and both were produced by Seiji Mutō.
The A-side is also available digitally: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY. The B-side though is so far exclusive to this 7".
This release follows the 7" single "Peppermint Patty Telephone / Tokimeki" released last summer also on Rhion Records.
℃-want you! will perform on Friday February 16 at event "Modern Beatniks" (presented by Tokyo Beatniks and The Second Waltz) to be held at Chofu Cross. Find details at Tokyo Gig Guide.
°C-want you! "Costello Megane" (7")
℃-want you! 「コステロメガネ」
A. Costello megane
B. Sugar Sugar
Rhion Records RHION-35
Out now (1/31), ¥1600 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, Jet Set
In 2023, Morio Agata also released an original soundtrack for the movie "Jiririta" (HMV, Tower), and there was a tribute of his debut album released as "Romance Girl A / otome no Roman Noel" featuring Ryōhei Shima (Dresscodes) Machi Akari, Himeno Tama, Takurō Gō (detune.) and many more (HMV, Tower, CDJapan).
Morio Agata "Enshūnada 2023"
あがた森魚 「遠州灘2023」
1. anata to iru shiawase
2. umisaboten no fuyu to haru
3. Street Waterman (Prologue)
4. Mariko-san no sansuisha
5. Midori-san no shōbō jidōsha
6. okaasan no Heliosphere
7. Street Waterman
8. bokura yogisha
9. Keihin-Tōhoku sen Ōji eki
10. Street Waterman (Jingle)
11. otōsan no Heliosphere
12. umisaboten no natsu to aki
13. oishi koishi naruishi shizumu
14. tanjōseki
15. kanata o
16. anata ni aeru shiawase
Qpora Purple Hz QPHZ026
Out now (1/17), ¥3000 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, Amazon
Teaser clip
]]>A 7" edition of the latest EP from Sally Kubota Group's "Girls At Our Best" series has just been released. Featuring singer Miki Hirayama, it contains covers of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting For The Man" and France Gall's "Zozoi". Check out the teaser clip below. The release comes on clear yellow vinyl, yellow being the singer's lucky color.
The corresponding CD EP released in December also includes live performances of Miki Hirayama self-covers, backed by Sally Kubota Group.
In Japan, the 7" can also be ordered directly from the label's own online shop Merurido. This is the 2nd 7" from the series, following "Video Killed The Radio Star feat. Emiri Kanou / Just What I Always Wanted feat. Natsumi Kiyoura" released last year.
Previous CD EPs were of collaborations with Chiyono Ide from 3776 ("Hong Kong Garden"), Natsumi Kiyoura of Tweedees ("Just What I Always Wanted"), and Emiri Kanou ("Video Killed The Radio Star"). Collect them all!
Sally Kubota Group feat. Miki Hirayama "I'm Waiting For The Man / Zozoi" (7")
サリー久保田グループ feat. 平山みき 「僕は待ち人 / ZOZOI」
(Japanese title: Sally Kubota Group feat. Hirayama Miki "boku wa machibito / ZOZOI")
A. I'm Waiting For The Man
AA. Zozoi
Girls At Our Best ODREP45048
Out now (1/29), ¥2000 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower
Teaser clip of the CD EP
]]>MEGA X is an indie band whose sound qualifies as power pop, punk, garage rock, etc. They released this month a new 7" single, of which the title song "Hologram City" is inspired by a tour to Okinawa where they went in 2022.
"Hologram City" is available digitally: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music.
The next show of MEGA X will be held on February 10 at Shimokitazawa Live Haus. Find details here, and check their official site for more upcoming events.
MEGA X "Hologram City" (7")
MEGA X 「ホログラムシティ」
A. Hologram City
B. You Do You
KiliKiliVilla KKV-163VL
Out now (1/12), ¥1800 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, KiliKiliVilla
Loupx garoux is the latest project of singer-songwriter and guitarist Mariko Nii (𝕏, Instagram), also featuring Yurina da Gold Digger on drums (of Magic, Drums & Love), okan on bass (of roijypsy/WAO!) and Romantic on synthesizers (ex-Bakudan Johnny, betcover!!). Their first release is a digital EP titled "xxx". Watch the music video of "L'arrache-Cœur" below (Japanese title: "shinzō nuki"), and find the release on your favorite download/streaming platform. Each song is also available individually at Mariko Nii's Bandcamp.
A live performance of another song titled "Maps to the stars" can be seen on YouTube.
Loupx garoux "xxx" (Download)
ルー・ガルー "xxx"
1. Early Summer
2. L'arrache-cœur
3. Parallel
Trash-Up!! Records
Out now (2023/11/20)
Sample/buy: Spotify, , YouTube Music, OTOTOY
"L'arrache-cœur"
]]>The Pen Friend Club has just released a new 7" single, their first with new vocalist Niina (a British-Japanese) who joined the band last year. Included are two covers, of The Beach Boys' "Darlin'" (1967) and Tatsurō Yamashita's "doyōbi no koibito" (1985). Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set.
A new album titled "Back In The Pen Friend Club" is expected to be released on May 1st. Stay tuned for details!
Upcoming shows include one at Tokyo Tower's Club333 on January 28 (details & tickets), and one of the "Add Some Music To Your Day" seriese on March 17 at Kichijoji Jirokichi. Find their full schedule on their official site.
The Pen Friend Club "Darlin' / doyōbi no koibito" (7")
The Pen Friend Club 「Darlin' / 土曜日の恋人」
A. Darlin'
AA. doyōbi no koibito
Penpal Records/Jet Set JS7S391
Out now (1/17), ¥1900 (excl. tax)
Order: HMV, Tower, Jet Set, , Spotify, 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.45) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on January 18 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: January 19, 2024 from 10:30 a.m.
This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks.
Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (some replaced 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 which you can listen to.
1. Magic, Drums & Love "Keep Romance Alive" (2023)
The first song is the latest by rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love, titled "Keep Romance Alive" and released on 7" and digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song was written by member Jinta=Jinta, and as always it's produced by Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (Neil and Iraiza, cubismo grafico). The single's B-side is a remix by Chabe, and it's also a must!
A release party will be held on Sunday January 21 at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar, also featuring Koncos, DJ Chabe and more. Meanwhile they can also be seen at a year end party on December 30 also at Basement Bar. Find details on Magic, Drums & Love's gig page. Another show coming up will be on Sunday February 18 at Shimokitazawa Club Que, for the 73rd birthday of rock critic and DJ Kensho Ōnuki, along with Chabe and Childish Tones (in which I play the toy drums!) (details at Tokyo Gig Guide).
🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Magic, Drums & Love, Bakubaku Dokin
2. Bakubaku Dokin "Mint" (2023)
(Japanese title: バクバクドキン 「MINT」)
Three years since their previous song, wacky two-girl unit Bakubaku Dokin (𝕏, Instagram) is back with a brand new song titled "Mint" (as in "mint condition"), out now digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). It's produced by DJ Fumiya (of Rip Slyme) who had produced their early works some 13 years ago.
There's also word of an album coming hopefully in Spring 2024, so stay tuned!
3. kimriri "episode" (2023)
Teenage singer-songwriter kimriri (Instagram, Twitter) has recently released a new single digitally, titled "episode" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). This is her 4th song released digitally since she was introduced as a new-comer by label feliicity. Check out the music video of "episode" below.
kimriri will be DJ at event "3 Sides vol.4" on Thursday January 25 at Shimokitazawa Three. There will be performances by Hideki Kaji, Keichi & The Coconut Groove and more (details at Tokyo Gig Guide).
4. Hazy Sour Cherry "It's Only The End Of The World" (2023)
(Japanese title: Hazy Sour Cherry 「たかが世界の終わり」 "takaga sekai no owari")
This is the latest single of Hazy Sour Cherry (Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp), out now on 7" (Bandcamp, HMV, etc.). This is their first release with the band's latest line-up, with new drummer Super Nagai. As hints its title, the song apparently takes inspiration to the movie of the same name, and it is dedicated to director Xavier Dolan.
The single is also available digitally at Bandcamp, or otherwise the title song only is available on streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music).
Hazy Sour Cherry have several upcoming shows, including one on January 21 at Music Bar Journey Yokohama, for the Japan tour of Kim Salmon's Smoked Salmon. Find details of all of their upcoming shows here.
🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: kimriri, Hazy Sour Cherry, Sally Kubota Group feat. Miki Hirayama
5. Sally Kubota Group feat. Miki Hirayama "I'm Waiting For The Man" (2023)
(Japanese title: サリー久保田グループ feat. 平山みき 「僕は待ち人」 "boku wa machibito")
This collaboration of Sally Kubota Group and singer Miki Hirayama is the 4th EP of the "Girls At Our Best" series. Its title song is a cover of Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting For The Man". This was released as a CD EP also including a cover of France Gall's "Zozoi" plus four songs from a live performance. Watch the teaser clip below.
A 7" will be released on January 29, which can be pre-ordered at HMV, Tower Records.
Sally Kubota Group is a trio featuring Sally Kubota on bass, Nakayama Tsutomu on Hammond organ and Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums, joined by guest musician Takashi Itani on percussions.
Since the song isn't available digitally so far, a song from a previous release is included in the Spotify playlist.
6. Kidder Friendly Club "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" (2023)
(Japanese title: Kidder Friendly Club 「Kidderちゃん is happy bunny」)
Girl garage band Kidder Friendly Club (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube) has released last month a new mini-album titled "Kidder Friendly Philosophy" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" appears. Check out the fun music video below!
Kidder Friendly Club has a show on Thursday January 25 at Shinjuku Red Cloth. Find details here.
7. AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN "So" (2023)
(Japanese title: AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN 「ソー」)
Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan (𝕏, Instagram), nicknamed Konneki, is known both as a comedian/talent and a musical artist, and her music is produced by CMJK (Cutemen, ex-Denki Groove). "So" is her latest single released last October, it's an aggressive "no wave" track with sax and guitar. Check out the lyric video below (short version), and find the full song digitally here: Spotify, , YouTube Music.
Also check out the B-side which is a cover of Strawberry Switchblade's "Since Yesterday", and her previous and first release, "Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan E.P" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).
🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Kidder Friendly Club, AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN, Mukaju Dan
8. Mukaju Dan "Kaifuku to Sosei" (2023)
(Japanese title: 無果汁団 「回復と蘇生」)
Techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan has recently released a brand new 3rd album titled "Hinafu Tone" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which appears "Kaifuku to Sosei".
The album is named after its vocalist, Hinafu. Mukaju Dan is a production unit of which the main members are arranger Shock Tarō and composer Ton-chan, and their sound is reminiscent of Japanese new wave pop music such as early Pizzicato Five and Saeko Suzuki.
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.
]]>2024 marks the 20th of Frontier Backyard. To kick it off, they are joined by Neil & Iraiza (𝕏, Instagram) for a collaboration song titled "Enjoy The Ride" out now digitally! Check it out on your favorite download/streaming platform.
The two bands are also doing a tour this month, at Shindaita Fever (Tokyo) on January 26, at Yokkaichi Advantage (Mie) on January 27, and at Kyoto Urbanguild on January 28.
Frontier Backyard with Neil and Iraiza "Enjoy the Ride" (Download)
Niw! Records NIWS127
Out now (1/10)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY