Tokyo's Coolest Sound

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.

"Noël Nippon" édition 2024 was aired at https://lafaceb.live on December 19 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: December 20, 2024 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is.

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. Hazy Sour Cherry "Bell of the beginning" (2021)

"Bell of the beginning" is Hazy Sour Cherry (Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp)'s first Christmas-themed song, released in 2021. The EP of the same name can be found on Bandcamp, and on various streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music). It also includes a cover of The Pixies Three's "Cold, cold winter".

Hazy Sour Cherry just recently released a horror-themed album, titled "Hazy Horror Party". It's available on vinyl and download/streaming.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Hazy Sour Cherry, YMCK

2. YMCK "Minasama, Go Anzen ni" (2024)
(Japanese title: YMCK 「皆様、ご安全に」)

YMCK has released this month an EP of three Christmas songs, titled "YMCK's Cozy Christmas Song Collection" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). It includes this brand new song titled "Minasama, Go Anzen ni" (meaning "Stay safe, everyone") as well as two more songs previously performed only live. Watch the music video for "Minasama, Go Anzen ni" below, their first live-action music video.

Find a message about the release on YMCK's Facebook page.

3. Michiru Hoshino "suteki ni X'mas Night" (2016)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる 「素敵にX'mas Night」)

This is Michiru Hoshino's Christmas single from 2016. It seems that Tower (Japan only) still has the 7" available for backorder.

Michiru hadn't been active musically for the last few years, her latest album being "Midnight Confessions" (2019). However, she has recently appeared in some Smooth Ace shows singing backing vocals. She also opened an online shop of goods she designs, named Okao Shop.

Single sampler clip

4. The Pen Friend Club "Christmas Delights" (2018)

"Christmas Delights" is an original Christmas song by The Pen Friend Club. First released in 2018 on their Christmas album "Merry Christmas from The Pen Friend Club" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), it has also appeared on their brand new greatest hits compilation "Best Of The Pen Friend Club 2018-2024" out now on CD and digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

The band released this year a new album titled "Back In The Pen Friend Club", the first featuring their latest singer Niina.

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Michiru Hoshino, The Pen Friend Club, Learners

5. Learners "Hot Club Of Christ" (2016)

This one is a cover of Aztec Camera's "Hot Club Of Christ", performed by Learners, from a 7" Christmas EP released in 2016. One copy of the 2nd pressing is available at time of writing at Bandcamp! It's also available digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Learners is the rockabilly-style band led by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (also of Neil & Iraiza, aka Cubismo Grafico), featuring on vocals Sara Mary, and on guitar Chie Horiguchi, on bass Masamitsu Hamada, and on drums Taichi Furukawa (Konkos). The band is currently on hiatus but several members are active separately. Chie Horiguchi has a new single titled "Cosmic Highway" to be released on January 10, 2025. Chabe has recently released a track as cubismo grafico, find details here.

6. Hideki Kaji "The Winter Fields" (2021)
(Japanese title: カジヒデキ Kaji Hideki 「冬の野原を疾走する子供たち」 "fuyu no nohara o shissō suru kodomotachi")

"The Winter Fields" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) is an original instrumental song from Hideki Kaji's 3-song Christmas CD EP "(I Wish It Could Be) Christmas Everyday", released in 2021.

Hideki Kaji released this year the brand new album "Being Pure At Heart", also available on vinyl.

7. MANON "Winter Lil Life feat. Sleet Mage" (2019)

Maybe this song isn't available anymore? But here it is as a winter favorite!

MANON (Instagram, 𝕏) has been active with her unit bala —releasing this year the EP "bala-llel world" (Spotify, , YouTube Music)—, and recently she released new solo songs "seichōtsū" (music video) and just today "Nobody Like Kyun" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Hideki Kaji, MANON, Toshiyuki Yasuda & Tarō Sukegawa & The Firefly Clan & Satoru Wono & Seigen Tokuzawa

8. Toshiyuki Yasuda & Tarō Sukegawa & The Firefly Clan & Satoru Wono & Seigen Tokuzawa "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (2011)
(Japanese title: 安田寿之 & 助川太郎 & The Firefly Clan & Satoru Wono & 徳澤青弦 「Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas」)

In December 2010, I had the great pleasure to be at this event organized by Toshiyuki Yasuda and held in an old and comfortable house. For the show's encore, all of the musicians part of the event got together to perform this cover of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Find a report of the event with photos, even one taken during this song, here.

A year later, songs from the event series were released digitally as album "We 'hub' music Vol. 01-04" (2011), available on iTunes.

Toshiyuki Yasuda has been working on a new 7th album, from which several songs have been released in advance. These can be found in a Spotify playlist.

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.

hitomitoi is back with a surprise new song, a collaboration with U.S. artist Wild Nothing (a.k.a. Jack Tatum). "LIke a First Kiss" is said to be from her upcoming 8th album. Wild Nothing produced the track and is also heard singing in duet.

It has been 7 years since the release of a full-length solo album by hitomitoi, the latest being "Ecstasy" (2017). Since then she had been keeping busy, and you can find about all of her works under this site's hitomitoi tag.

hitomitoi recently went to tour China, and she has upcoming shows in Nagoya (on December 27) and in Osaka (on January 24). Find details of upcoming shows on hitomitoi's Instagram.

hitomitoi "Like a First Kiss feat. Wild Nothing" (Download)
一十三十一 「LIKE A FIRST KISS feat. Wild Nothing」

Billboard Japan Records HBDT-1003
Out now (12/11)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

YIKO (𝕏) (pronounced "ikō") is a brand new band fronted by singers Monari Wakita (ex-Especia) and Satori (ex-The Nampa Boys, ex-Healthy Dynamite Club), with five more members totaling seven. Monari fans may recognize more familiar faces, as the band also features CHAAN —previously known as Kayo-chaaan, who often performed in Monari's shows— and also guitarist Love Unlimited Shimada (a.k.a. Simmerdown) —ex-Healthy Dynamite Club, and also known for playing in Monari's backband and writing the music of her song "Dear".

This release is their first mini-album, self-titled "YIKO", and it's available on CD and digitally. Check out the music video for opening track "Doukashitel" below!

YIKO's first show will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Shibuya Lush. The event will also feature Qnel (guitarist of Lucky Tapes). Details and tickets can be found here.

YIKO "YIKO"

1. Doukashitel
2. Cho Tenjiku
3. Ano Natsu
4. Utopia
5. Night of the Animals
6. Monster

High Contrast HCCD9623
Out 12/11, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Doukashitel"

The Pen Friend Club recently released a greatest hits album covering their 2018 to 2024 period, which included the presence of three different vocalists over time: Yuka Fujimoto, Megumi and current singer Niina. Included are 21 tracks, many of which were newly mixed (by leader Yūichi Hirakawa himself), plus also a special new version of "Our Place" and a re-recording of "Darlin'".

The album is available in CD format and digitally. This is their 2nd greatest hits album, the first having been "Best Of The Pen Friend Club 2012-2017".

The Pen Friend Club will hold a Christmas-themed show on December 15 at Suidōbashi Words (Tokyo), with doors opening at 12:00. For details and reservations, check The Pen Friend Club's schedule. The show will also be streamed online and archived until December 29 (JST), all details here.

The Pen Friend Club "Best Of The Pen Friend Club 2018-2024"

1. Our Place (2024 Special Version)
2. Darlin' (Re-recording 2024)
3. hishō suru nichijō (2024 Mix)
4. Ketzal (2024 Mix)
5. Got To Get You Into My Life
6. Along Comes Mary (2024 Mix)
7. ippon no ongaku (2024 Mix)
8. Don't Take Your Time (2024 Mix)
9. Pleasant Valley Sunday
10. The Sun Is Up (2024 Mix)
11. All I Want For Christmas Is You (2024 Mix)
12. For Once In My Life
13. Beyond The Railroad (2024 Mix)
14. River Deep Mountain High (Live) (2024 Mix)
15. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
16. My New Melodies (2024 Mix)
17. Christmas Delights (2024 Mix)
18. Let It Shine
19. Mind Connection (2024 Mix)
20. Love Can Go The Distance (2024 Mix)
21. Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Sazanami Label SZDW1115
Out now (11/6), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

Christmas time is coming soon! Here's a brand new Christmas song, the first of solo idol Yuri Hirano a.k.a. Yurimaru, and also featuring MaNaMaNa (𝕏) and usabeni. The track is by EnnU (𝕏, Instagram) who often contributes to Yurimaru's repertory.

Yuri Hirano released in September an album titled "MusicBox" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) of which a CD edition is available.

Yuri Hirano feat. MaNaMaNa & usabeni "Get me Xmas" (Download)
平野友里 feat. MaNaMaNa & usabeni 「Get me Xmas」

miraclebox
Out now (12/7)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Maika Loubté has released a first ever live album, of a show held last year on November 16 (2023) at Shibuya WWW X. It was a show for the release of album "mani mani", and featured special guests AAAMYYY, LISACHRIS and Chinza Dopeness, and also support musicians Sountrive and So Kanno (Breimen). Maika mixed the whole by herself. It is available digitally on the artist's Bandcamp and download/streaming platforms.

I was there and it was a fantastic party that I'm happy to hear again!

In other Maika-related news, she has recently been featured on a recent song by Tendouji, titled "KissKissKiss". It's available digitally: , Spotify, YouTube Music.

Maika Loubté "art of mani mani (Live at WWW X)" (Download)

1. Ice Age (Live)
2. Nobara (Live)
3. Ah-Uh (Live)
4. Inner Child (Live)
5. Rainbow Light Eyes (Live)
6. Min Mania (Live)
7. Hanabi feat. Chinza DOPENESS (Live) (with LISACHRIS)
8. Mist (Live)
9. It's So Natural feat. AAAMYYY (Live)
10. Spider Dancing (Live)
11. Candy Haus (Live)
12. Show Me How (Live)
13. Lucid Dreaming (Live)
14. Zenbu Dreaming (Live)
15. Celine (Live)
16. Mountaintop (Live)
17. A+B=C (Live)
18. You and I (Live)
19. Melody Of Your Heart (Live)

Water Records
Out now (12/4)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Cocopuff Club (Bandcamp), the solo project of COCO (𝕏, Instagram) (lead singer and guitarist of THE LET'S GO's), recently released a 4th song on Bandcamp. "France à la mode" was most likely inspired by THE LET'S GO's France tour last summer!

THE LET'S GO's can be seen on Sunday December 8, part of a 2-day Ramones 50th anniversary tribute event at Section 9 in Numabukuro (Nakano, Tokyo) (details & timetable). And then, a show on Tuesday December 24 at Shimokitazawa Club Que will be their last with current drummer Mariko-Mariko (details).

A recent solo show of THE LET'S GO's, held on July 23 at Shimokitazawa Shelter, can be found on the band's Bandcamp in two parts: Part 1 & Part 2.

Cocopuff Club "France à la mode" (Download)
Cocopuff Club 「ふらんす・あらもーど」

Out now (10/23)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

NUBACK (pronounced Noo-back), the solo project of singer-songwriter Dai Nakamura (also of Blank Music, BANK and Vacation Three, ex-Arch) has released digitally a set of two new songs. This includes the title song "Nozomu Mono", a vocal track, and the instrumental B-side "kankaku". The release is available first on Bandcamp, and should be made available on other streaming platforms later in December.

This release follows "Yuragi / Always Changing" out in February this year, since which the artist also released as Dai Nakamura an EP titled "Nami Oto".

A show of Dai Nakamura & Nobuyuki Ohashi (of Wack Wack Rhythm Band, ex-Bridge, a.k.a. Pate) will be held on Friday, December 20 at Shimokitazawa lete. Find details here

NUBACK "Nozomu Mono" (Download)

1. Nozomu Mono
2. kankaku

Too Young Records
Out now (11/26)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

YMCK has released an EP of three Christmas songs. It includes a brand new song titled "Minasama, Go Anzen ni" (meaning "Stay safe, everyone"), and also two songs previously performed only live but finally available in recorded form: "PaPaPaPa Christmas for You" and "LaLaLaLa Christmas for You". Watch the music video for "Minasama, Go Anzen ni" below, their first live-action music video.

Find a message about the release on YMCK's Facebook page.

YMCK "YMCK's Cozy Christmas Song Collection" (Download)
YMCK 「YMCKのやさしいクリスマス曲集」
(Japanese title: "YMCK no yasashii Christmas kyoku shū")

1. Minasama, Go Anzen ni
2. PaPaPaPa Christmas for You
3. LaLaLaLa Christmas for You

not records NOT0076
Out now (11/27)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Following "Machi Akari Techno Phase I" released two weeks ago, here comes the 2nd half of Machi Akari's take on techno. This time the songs were made in collaboration with DÉ DÉ MOUSE ("Hula Girl nya Ura ga aru!") and "Hayama Kazuhiro" (said to be a collective featuring someone (?) from Pasocom Music Club) ("Uchu Jangara Odori"). Like the previous, this is available on CD and digitally.

This release concludes the four physical releases of 2024, which started with "Disco Akari" and "New Folk".

In-store events will be held for the new techno releases. The first one is on Thursday December 5 at Disk Union Rock in Tokyo Shibuya, starting at 19:00 (details). The second one will be held on Thursday December 12 at Tower Records Yokohama Vivre, from 19:00 (details). Both of these include a mini-live part that's free to watch, after which a meet & greet session will be held for those who bought related items.

Also, a release party will be held on December 29 from 11:30 a.m. at Shimokitazawa Live Haus, featuring a special set as Machi Akari & Techno Paradise, and also a live performance by Cherryboy Function, and DJs Nagata Kazunao, Dela and Hazemoto (Sigh Society). Find details here.

Machi Akari "Machi Akari Techno Phase II"
町あかり 「町あかり テクノ編 後編」
(Japanese title: "Machi Akari Techno-hen kōhen")

1. Hula Girl nya Ura ga aru!
2. Uchu Jangara Odori
3. Hula Girl nya Ura ga aru! ~Original Karaoke~
4. Uchu Jangara Odori ~Original Karaoke~

Hotwax Trax HOTWAXCD-2014
Out (12/4), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.