Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.2

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 or listen later on Mixcloud.

The selection this time puts synthesizers in the spotlight while keeping a comfortable distance from dancefloor beats, going from new wave to synth-pop and some rocking tunes. Lots of dreamy and spacey sounds. Happy listening!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.2) was aired at http://lafaceb.live on January 22, 2020 from 21:00, repeated at 23:00 (EST = Montréal/New York/Miami).
* Japan time: January 23, 2020 from 11:00 and 13:00.

Listen anytime on Mixcloud!

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. Kai "Paper Diamond" (2019)
(Japanese title: カイ「ペーパー・ダイヤモンド」)

Kai, a singer previously part of idol groups Bellring Girls Heart (Bellring Shoujo Heart) and There There Theres, did her solo debut just a few months ago. "Paper Diamond" is the title track of her 2nd mini-album (, Spotify) which is produced by Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders, Controversial Spark, No Lie-Sense), giving her a classic new wave sound. That mini-album also contains a cover of Nomiya Maki's debut single "onna tomodachi" (1981).

A 7" single of "Paper Diamond" (with a previously unreleased Moonriders cover for B-side) is about to be released on January 29. Follow the 7" link for info on some of her upcoming events.

2. Frenesi "jōbutsu sasete yo" (2012)
(Japanese title: フレネシ「成仏させてよ」)

Frenesi, a unique and mysterious artist who wouldn't reveal her face (except when performing on stage), went on hiatus after a last concert in December 2015. "jōbutsu sasete yo" is a song from her latest album "gendai" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) among many other favorites. It's never too late to check out Frenesi's fantastic world.

Frenesi surprised last year with a brand new song she penned for band SOLEIL, "Anachronic Girl" which appeared on album "Lollipop Sixteen".

3. Mira Parameter "Okachimachi Roman" (2017)
(Japanese title: ミラパラメータ「御徒町ロマン」)

Also active as a tarot fortuneteller, Mira Parameter is a singer-songwriter who crafts songs note-by-note in an uncommon manner on her computer, evolving into complex yet beautiful music that surprises and amazes. Two years since her brilliant album "Reborn", she released last month a new song titled "Phantasmagoria". Check out the music video below that show places around Okachimachi in Tokyo. Her other videos are also must-sees, as her works always have mesmerizing visuals.

4. esu-efu "Propeller Song" (2012)
(Japanese title: エスエフ「プロペラソング」)

esu-efu is the unit of singer Nomoto Karia (Twitter) and producer Captain Mirai (Twitter). This song is from their first and latest mini-album "Sing Future" () that remains a favorite over the years. Check out the music video below.

Lately, Karia has been appearing in some movies, such as short film "Shell and Joint" that was screened at several film festivals internationally.

5. Inoue Honoka "niji no Fantasia" (2016)
(Japanese title: 井上ほの花「虹のファンタジア」)

Inoue Honoka (Twitter), who is mostly active as an anime voice actress, released her first mini-album "First Flight" in 2016 under the production of songwriting unit Mukaju Dan (previously active as blue marble). This beautiful song is a duet with her mother Inoue Kikuko who is also a voice actress.

There's a chance to see her sing up close on February 8 at her birthday event to be held at Karaoke-kan in Ginza. Find details here. (She will turn 22 the next day.)

6. dahlia "ai wa doko da" (2017)
(Japanese title: dahlia 「愛はどこだ」)

From dahlia's excellent latest album "Mirror" () which was sound produced by Groove Unchant. This song was written by dahlia herself. On "Mirror" her characteristic soft voice is mixed in loud and clear, somewhat contrasting with previous albums such as "Nude Lumière" and "Beautiful, But Noir".

7. NUBACK "Butterfly" (2019)

NUBACK is the solo unit of Dai Nakamura Dai (BANK, Vacation Three).

This instrumental track was featured on latest mini-album "I'm not in DUB" (, Spotify) released digitally last August, which has guitar-led minimal tracks with hints of '80s dub and new wave. Check it out!

8. Virtual Boys "seeking the brave" (2019)
(Japanese title: バーチャルボーイズ「ゆうしゃをさがしに」 "yūsha o sagashi ni")

Unit of Imai Kentaro (of The Aprils, CTO LAB.) and Asahi Taichi (of Genius), Virtual Boys (SoundCloud) makes chiptune music using Nintendo sounds. While having mainly released their music as CD-R mini-albums sold at their shows, this song was featured on compilation "Light Chiptune VS Dark Chiptune" available for free on Bandcamp.

9. Kit Cat "SPACE CAT WALK" (2015)

Kit Cat was a girl trio with a cool 80's new wave sound, produced by Dr.Usui ((M)otocompo). Although the trio has stopped activities in 2018, they have left behind excellent mini-album "Scratch You!", which contains a cover of Tom Tom Club's "Wordy Rappinghood", and also a split album with (M)otocompo titled "POPLOT TIMES 2016".

Aside from always being active with his ska-electro band (M)otocompo (see their latest release "Yokoshima Borderline ep"), Dr.Usui has lately also been writing songs for several idol groups such as Pico Pico Revolution who has a new single being released on January 22.

10. Nosa Reina "Pink Delusional Aquarium" (2019)
(Japanese title: 野佐怜奈「桃色妄想水槽」 "momoiro mōsō suisō")

Nosa Reina was once the vocalist of group The Lady Spade, and later did a solo debut produced by Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five), to later perform for several years as band Reina & The Blue Valentines. Lately, she is again active as a solo singer (releasing cover album "Endless Party" in 2018) and currently in the process of making a new original album titled "Sports and Distractions" to be released in this year of Tokyo Olympics.

"Pink Delusional Aquarium" (, Spotify) is a song that was released digitally just last November in advance of the new album. It was followed by "City Blue Carnival", there will be a new song released that way each month until the album goes on sale.

Reina can next be seen live on January 26 at a school festival-themed event to be held at Nishi-Azabu Shinsekai (details). Also follow her on Instagram for frequent impromptu ukulele covers.

11. Neil and Iraiza "Love Is Navy Blue" (2017)

From Neil and Iraiza's latest album "Timeless Melodies" (, Spotify), which came 15 years after their previous album "New School". Neil and Iraiza is a band formed of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Horie Hirohisa (The Cornelius Group, Dots+Borders, etc.).

On Sunday March 22, there will be a show featuring Neil and Iraiza, Kaji Hideki and many more, to celebrate Horie Hirohisa's 50th birthday. Details here.

12. Yoshida Tetsuto "hikari no naka e" (2019)
(Japanese title: 吉田哲人「光の中へ」)

Having in the recent years written many songs for various idols, producer Yoshida Tetsuto has just made his own solo debut as a singer-songwriter. His first 7" single ("hitomeguri / hikari no naka e") has songs for which the lyrics were written by idols he has worked with, and those of B-side "hikari no naka e" were written by Kanou Emiri. He plans to release a solo album in 2020.

Yoshida Tetsuto, aka Tetto, will perform at event "Tricolore CH." on February 16 at Ikebukuro Live Inn Rosa (details) and at event "Sunday Girls" on March 29 at Jinbocho Shichoshitsu (details).

13. MANON "GOMENNE GIRL" (2018)

To end this time's selection is one of the quieter from Fukuoka-based singer and model MANON's first album "Teenage Diary" (, Spotify). Check out the music video below.

Having done some interesting collaborations last year ("Winter Lil Life feat. Sleet Mage", "Air Kissing feat. KM & LEX" and an appearance on Yackle's album "Frank Throw") gives hope of more to come for 2020. The Japanese-French singer and model will turn 18 at the end of January.

Manon can next been seen live in Tokyo at event "Tokyo Pico Pico Fes" on February 11, also featuring Nakata Yasutaka, DÉ DÉ MOUSE, RAM RIDER, banvox, TORIENA, Yackle and more. Details here.

Thanks for tuning in!

Find other radio shows here.

Mira Parameter "Okachimachi Roman"