Tokyo's Coolest Sound

The recent album by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five), "Love, Lost And Found", released on CD and digitally last October, is being released on vinyl! The jacket photo has been renewed for this LP edition.

His first studio album sung by himself and under his own name, it contains many songs taken from Pizzicato Five's vast repertory, and also ones that he wrote for other artists (Mari Natsuki, Mayumi Chiwaki) and some covers (Hikaru Hayashi's "kokoro no kakera" and "kokoro", and Sumio Wakabayashi's "asa"). The music is performed of Tetsurō Yafune Trio plus guitarist Mitsukuni Tanabe and cellist Orie Hirayama.

Konishi Yasuharu's next show will be at Shimokitazawa Mona records on release day May 30, where he will performed unaccompanied, in an event also featuring chanson singer Seiji Semenov (find details here). Live and DJ information can always be found at Readymade Journal.

Konishi Yasuharu "Love, Lost And Found"
小西康陽 「失恋と得恋」
(Japanese title: "shitsuren to tokuren")

(Original English/French titles are included for reference)
A1. kokoro no kakera (Fragments Of The Heart) (Cover of Hikaru Hayashi)
A2. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (the night is still young)
A3. eisei chūkei (Satellite Hour)
A4. watashi no jinsei, jinsei no natsu (Ma vie, l'été de vie)
A5. anata no koto ga wakaranai
A6. soshite imademo (What Now Our Love)
A7. kanasahii uta (Triste)
A8. asa (Cover of Sumio Wakabayashi)
B1. hi no ataru ōdōri (On the sunny side of the street)
B2. mukashi watashi ga ai shita hito (L'homme que j'aimais) (Originally sung by Mayumi Chiwaki, Mari Natsuki)
B3. kimi ni naritai (I Wanna Be Like You)
B4. dōbutsuen ni te (at the zoo) (Originally sung by Mari Natsuki)
B5. nemusō na futari (Two Sleepy People)
B6. utsukushii hoshi (Stars)
B7. kokoro (The Heart) (Cover of Hikaru Hayashi)

Universal Music UCJJ-9051
Out 5/30, ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Disk Union
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kimi ni naritai (I Wanna Be Like You)"

-->

Geno London (𝕏), the band of guitarist Geno Sato (previously known as Ai Satō of The Hair), has recently released a new instrumental EP titled "french ep". Check it out on your favorite download/streaming platform.

This follows "girlfriend" and "geno london beat" out last December.

For the band's latest information and gig info, watch their 𝕏 account.

geno london "french ep" (Download)

1. Happi Coat
2. Reggay Steady Go Go
3. French Branch

geno london pop
Out now (4/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Cat Trooper (Instagram, Facebook, 𝕏) is a brand new electro duo formed of Michiyo Honda (Instagram) (ex-Overrocket) and actor Mansaku Ikeuchi, and they have just released a first digital EP titled "The World Is Beautiful". Nostalgic rave-y sounds are mixed with touches of philosophy and humour for a fun time!

There's word that they may be releasing a new song monthly. Stay tuned!

Cat Trooper "The World Is Beautiful" (Download)

1. Cat Trooper's Theme
2. The Creation
3. The Eternity
4. Particles
5. The World Is Beautiful

Cat Trooper
Out now (5/2)
Sample/buy: , 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.59) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on May 12, 2025 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: May 13, 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. May 15 at 6h30 a.m.

Japan time —

Thurs. May 15 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. hitomitoi "anata to Contigo feat. Juanpalitoschinos" (2025)
(Japanese title: 一十三十一 「あなたとContigo feat. Juanpalitoschinos」)

Hitomitoi is back this year with a brand new album, titled "Telepa Telepa" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), the follow-up to "Ecstasy" (2017). Included are songs with special collaborations with international artists, such as "anata to Contigo" which features Mexican duo Juanpalitoschinos.

It has been announced that a vinyl edition of "Telepa Telepa" will be released for City Pop on Vinyl on August 2, 2025. Also, a band-backed special show will be held for the album release at Billboard Live Tokyo on July 3, 2025 (and also at Billboard Live Osaka on June 30). Details can be found here.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: hitomitoi, She's a Rainbow

2. She's a Rainbow "Baby Boo" (2025)
(Japanese title: シーズ・ア・レインボー 「BABY BOO」)

She's a Rainbow is a new girl group project produced by Sally Kubota (Wink Music Service, The Scooters, ex-The Phantom Gift, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL), featuring four young singers with the average age of 14. Members are Lin Oberndorff and Kokoa (both of idol unit ww), and Mio Amakawa and Nanako Aoyama (both of girl group Harajuku Gakuen). Lin Oberndorff was also featured in Wink Music Service (see album "It Girls").

Taken from their first EP "Pinky Fluffy", this is an English cover of SOLEIL's "Baby Boo", a song that was written by the two of Microstar (music by Seiki Satō and lyrics by Yūko Iizumi). I translated the original lyrics to English, with respect to past and future listeners, and to the original song.

The EP comes as a CD in a 7"-sized package (HMV, Tower, Disk Union). Songs other than the Japanese versions can also be found on download/streaming platforms: Spotify, , YouTube Music.

3. taro "BOO!" (2025)
(Japanese title: タロ 「BOO!」)

taro is a new band led by mmm (read "me-my-mo") l(a.k.a. Moe Ishii (Bandcamp, Instagram). The first self-titled EP "taro" features support members Emerson Kitamura on keyboards and Yuta Suganuma on drums. The 4-song release is available mainly digitally (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music), though a physical CD can also be found on Bandcamp.

4. Loupx garoux "WONDERWALL" (2024)
(Japanese title: Loupx garoux 「ワンダーウォール」)

Loupx garoux (𝕏) is a band fronted by singer-songwriter Mariko Nii, and also featuring drummer Yurina da Gold Digger (of Magic, Love & Drums), bassist okan (of roijypsy and WAO!), and keyboardist Romantic (ex-Bakudan Johnny). The song "WONDERWALL" comes from their first album "Anya" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music).

A full show, held for the album release, can be viewed on YouTube.

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: taro, Loupx garoux, Tiroleantape Chapter 4

5. Tiroleantape Chapter 4 "Red Guitar" (2000, 2025)
(Japanese title: チロリアンテープ チャプター4 「Red Guitar」)

For Record Store Day 2025 were released re-issues of Tiroleantape Chapter 4's 1st album "the first session with Tiroleantape Chapter 4" (Jet Set, Disk Union), and also a first ever 7" edition of single "Red Guitar" (Jet Set, Disk Union) (at the time only released on CD). The song "Red Guitar" appears on both of these.

Tiroleantape Chapter 4 was formed of Momoko Yoshino (Momo-Sei), Nemoto De Chôbeaullet (Childish Tones), Jazz Drummer Iwajimir and Ura De Joringo, as a band continuity of Momoko's solo project Tirolean Tape.

6. Tetsuto Yoshida "McCarthy" (2023)
(Japanese title: 吉田哲人 「McCarthy」)

From singer-songwriter Tetsuto Yoshida (𝕏)'s first solo album "The Summing Up" (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower), here's the song "McCarthy".

The album was also released on vinyl for Record Store Day 2024.

Album "The Summing Up" trailer clip

7. Mukaju Dan "Humanoid No Koi Wa" (2023)
(Japanese title: 無果汁団 「ヒューマノイドの恋は」)

From techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan's latest 3rd album titled "Hinafu Tone" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), this is the song "Himanoid No Koi Wa".

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.

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Tetsuto Yoshida, Mukaju Dan, Kanako Hara

8. Kanako Hara "Exposure feat. Hana Hope" (2025)
(Japanese title: はらかなこ 「露光 feat. Hana Hope」 "rokō (Exposure) feat. Hana Hope")

"Exposure" is a new song by songwriter and pianist Kanako Hara, which features singer Hana Hope. It has lyrics written by Shō Kurashina (of Good Bye April), and is a first advance release from the upcoming "Tokyo City Pop vol.2 'Portrait'", follow-up to "Tokyo City Pop vol.1 'Portrait'" (2023). "Exposure" is available digitally: Spotify, , YouTube Music.

Hana Hope is the same Hana who sang part of Yellow Magic Children at the age of 13, and also in Towa Tei's songs "Magic" and "Birthday", since which she has participated in many more recordings.

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.

Color Filter 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). Having been back indie style and on stage since a few years with new vocalist Minami Taga, they are now supported by label felicity. Their first release on the label is titled "Star Cloud". Check out the music video below, and find the song on your favorite download/streaming platform.

A 2nd release, of the song "Summer Days", has been announced for May 28.

Also check out a song titled "Magic" by Yuki Kawamura released last month, co-produced by Ryuji and featuring Minami's voice (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY). This one's jacket artwork is also a painting by Minami.

Color Filter "Star Cloud" (Download)

felicity
Out now (5/7)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Just a few days after the release of "Beat Michi feat. Robochu", Scha Dara Parr have dropped another brand new track! This one is titled "B Men" and features rapper Dengaryū.

It has been announced that a vinyl re-issue of Scha Dara Parr's 5th album "5th Wheel 2 the Coach" (1995) will be released on August 27 (pre-order at CDJapan, Amazon, HMV and Tower). There will also be a show on September 2 at Line Cube Shibuya. These are to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album.

Scha Dara Parr "B Men feat. Dengaryu" (Download)
スチャダラパー 「Bメン feat. 田我流」

Zenryo Records / Space Shower Music
Out now (5/9)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Scha Dara Parr has released a new song titled "Beat Michi", featuring rapper Robochū (Instagram, 𝕏) who often appears in their shows. The song coincides with their 35th anniversary for which they have just held shows in Osaka and Tokyo.

Last year was also the 30th anniversary of their hit song "konya wa Boogie Back", and they released a sequel titled "Boogie Back Baby". In December a remix by LUVRAW of the original song was also released on 7" (Jet Set, HMV) and digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music) .

Scha Dara Parr "BEAT MICHI feat. Robochu" (Download)
スチャダラパー 「ビート道 feat. ロボ宙」

Zenryo Records / Space Shower Music
Out now (5/5)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura) has released a new solo single titled "City Girl Velocity". The music was written and produced by Q-Rabbit, and lyrics by usabeni herself. She also did the artwork, and directed the music video that can be watched below.

The title song is available digitally, while a limited CD-R containing a remix and instrumental can be purchased at usabeni's shop NARUHESON;S (shipping directly within Japan only).

This new song follows usabeni's solo release "Patchwork", since which she also released several collaboration songs.

Upcoming shows include a release party for usabeni & MaNaMaNa's "Female Friend" single (a cover of Maki Nomiya's "onna tomodachi") to be held on May 18 at Maple House in Gakugei-daigaku (Tokyo) (tickets), and an event for the 10th anniversary of Trash-Up!! Records on May 21 at Moon Romantic in Gaienmae (details & tickets).

usabeni "CITY GIRL VELOCITY"

1. CITY GIRL VELOCITY
CD-R edition bonus tracks
2. CITY GIRL VELOCITY (Q-Rabbit NightGroove Remix)
3. CITY GIRL VELOCITY (Instrumental)

NARUHESON;S NRHS-008
Out now (5/7)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

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. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, Juno (UK), Disk Union
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

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.

This 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