Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.1

This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's first official episode of its own radio show (following a Christmas special)! The show 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 or listen later on Mixcloud.

This time is a selection of recent songs mainly from this year (and a few from late 2018 that weren't to be left behind). Enjoy!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.1) was aired on December 25, 2019 from 21:00, repeated at 23:00 (EST = Montréal/New York/Miami).

Listen anytime on Mixcloud!

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. Maika Loubté "Prismé" (2019)

A song in French to say « Bonjour » at the start of this new show! Maika Loubté is a singer-songwriter and also a synth wiz! Her excellent new album "Closer" is out now digitally (, Spotify) and on clear vinyl. Also check out the charming video for "Prismé" below, shot in Paris.

Since the album, Maika has also released a new song titled "Numbers".

2. CTO LAB. "not(.)but(,)" (2018)

A song from CTO LAB.'s latest album "Beyond The Box" (, Spotify). This one has music written by Okada Tohru, with lyrics by Saeki Kenzō (of Pearl Brothers, Jollits).

CTO LAB. is a supergroup formed of Okada Tohru (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentarō (The Aprils). With a meaning of "Compact Techno Organization", their concept is to use nothing but small synths and gadget instruments.

3. Emiri Kanou "Just a feeling" (2019)
(Japanese title: 加納エミリ「Just a feeling」)

Emiri Kanou is a self-produced singer-songwriter and "neo electro-pop girl" who takes a lot of her inspiration from 80's new wave. 2019 was a big year with her first official releases including new album "GREENPOP" (, Spotify) that was just released in November. "Just a feeling" is from that album, and also a video of it can be watched below.

4. Monari Wakita "If I Fall In Love With You" (2019)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり「恋をするなら」)

This is one of my favorites from Wakita Monari's latest 3rd album "Right Here" released last July (, Spotify). With her powerful voice, she has come a long way since the days when she used to be part of idol group Especia. Always backed by some great producers, the music and lyrics of "If I Fall In Love With You" (Japanese title "koi o suru nara") were made by band Microstar.

5. SOLEIL "Zozoi" (2019)

Another French « Bonjour » ! :) Band SOLEIL, which was fronted by a 16-year-old of the same name, Soleil, did this great cover of France Gall's song "Zozoi" on latest album "Lollipop Sixteen" (, Spotify).

After three amazing albums in approx. 2½ years, the band has just recently put a stop to its activities. Their great music (mostly original songs with a few other exceptions such as this one) which took inspiration from the '60s and early Beatles, sounds completely as if it was from another era. They even went as far as recording and releasing everything in mono, with the only exception of their new remix album "SOLEIL in STEREO". So long, and thanks for all the excellent music!

6. Michiru Hoshino "Bon Voyage, Michiru!" (2019)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる「みちるの泰平洋航」)

And now for some more international variety of hellos, Hoshino Michiru takes us for a trip to many countries. After having traveled different styles in the past years, the singer-songwriter has found her way which is more acoustic but always somewhat surprising and entertaining. Her new album "Moonlight Confessions" (, Spotify) was produced by Sally Kubota of SOLEIL. "Bon Voyage, Michiru!" is an original written by herself, and she gave it an exotic feel.

7. nimit & co. "Bask" (2018)

nimit & co. is the recent bedroom pop unit of Kunimi Tomoko (Twitter), who is best known as a trumpeter in the groovy collective Wack Wack Rhythm Band (see their latest single "Finish feat. Lemon"). In nimit & co., she finds new directions with lots of synths and a very cool post-rock kind of feel! So far only two songs have been released, as a split-cassette with BANK. Can't wait to hear more! There's a video too, check it out below.

8. MANON "COCO BOI ROMANCE" (2018)

Young singer and model Manon (Instagram), who is always produced by Yuppa (aka HNC), made this collaboration with Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth. The song is from her first album "Teenage Diary" (, Spotify).

Here's hoping that it gets heard as much in Ryan's country! Check out the fun video below.

9. xiangyu "Mycorrhizal Fungi" (2019)
(Japanese title: xiangyu 「菌根菌」)

xiangyu is a singer whose music is produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi (best known for Wednesday Campanella). She sings about daily things such as food and taking out the trash (oops!), and in this case: mushrooms. In terms of music, the tracks take their inspiration from an addictive electro dance music genre called Gqom that came from South Africa..!

Check out her first mini-album "The First ○○ Picture Book" ( (World), (Japan), Spotify) and also her latest single "Piano Damper gekini shime saba".

10. BANK "Number 3" (2018)

BANK is a band that takes its roots from new wave, while having several members who originate from Shibuya-kei bands. Their sound always has some added fresh breeze from the Kamakura area of Japan's east coast (a bit south of Tokyo). "Number 3" is a tribute to the approximately #3 band that BANK gives respect to, Bronx post-punk band ESG. The lyrics are made up of ESG song titles.

This is also from the BANK / nimit & co. split-cassette.

11. SOLEIL "Mellotron Girl" (2019)
(Japanese title: SOLEIL 「メロトロンガール」)

One more by SOLEIL! This one is an original written by the band's dedicated arranger, Okada Yumi. The arrangement is very Beatlesque, and of course very SOLEIL-esque! Be sure to check out the music video below in which zombies are after the band, directed and shot by art director Shindō Mitsuo (famous for all of Pizzicato Five's artwork among many other Shibuya-kei artists, etc.). This song appeared on SOLEIL's 3rd original album "Lollipop Sixteen" (, Spotify).

12. La veuve moustachue "Zettai Renai! COUNT DOWN!!" (2018)
(Japanese title: ヒゲの未亡人「絶対恋愛！COUNT DOWN!!」)

La veuve moustachue is a unique act that's like a one-person musical, featuring its protagonist, the mustached widow (acted by Kishino You-ichi). The other members are pianist/composer Gary Ashiya and VJ ALi. In their shows the widow becomes a character who interacts with a large video projection, in an amusing and charming result. La veuve moustachue has often performed abroad, especially in France.

"Zettai Renai! COUNT DOWN!!" is their latest single (released on 7"), and it's an infectiously catchy pop song.

13. Francis avec Haruko "Zero Gravity Love" (2018)
(Japanese title: ハルコとフランシス「ZERO GRAVITY LOVE」)

Francis avec Haruko is a collaboration of Francis (aka bassist Ori Makoto) and Haruko Tajima (a girl who has been gaining popularity with her own electro rap tracks and self-made music videos which can be watched on YouTube).

"Zero Gravity Love" is the title track from their latest mini-album (, Spotify), and it's a shiny electro-pop song that takes you on an adventure into space. Check out the video below!

14. CTO LAB. "Nazo no Enban" (2018)

Another by CTO LAB.! This one has music written by polymoog (who is also a member of lounge pop group Elektel). Actually I had the great opportunity to write lyrics for this song, so of course it's my favorite. :) This is also from their latest album "Beyond The Box" (, Spotify).

15. Vacation Three "City Without Sea" (2018)

The closing song this time is one by Vacation Three i, trio of guitar, sax and percussions: Nakamura Dai (BANK, NUBACK), Nakamoto Kōichirō and Fukuda "Okyon" Kyōko (both active in Wack Wack Rhythm Band, etc.). This song has lead vocals by Okyon, and it's also the last of their excellent first album "One" (, Spotify).

Thanks for listening!

Find other radio shows here.

Maika Loubté "Prismé"