Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.3

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. If you couldn't tune in at the times below, you can still listen anytime on Mixcloud.

This time is a selection of songs that may vaguely classify as adult contemporary pop music, all of which being relatively recent works by Japanese artists that are very active nowadays.
Also, having heard that city pop has been gaining popularity abroad, this selection might give insights into new music that shares some elements with the genre. All songs played are originals.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.3) was aired at http://lafaceb.live on March 25, 2020 from 21:00, repeated at 23:00 (EDT = Montréal/New York/Miami).

* Japan time: March 26, 2020 from 10:00 (a.m.) and 12:00 (noon).

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. microstar "Sunset Girl" (2016)
(Japanese title: マイクロスター「夕暮れガール」 "yūgure Girl")

microstar is a duo of producer Satō Seiki and singer Iizumi Yūko (aka P-chan). While their latest and 2nd album "She's Got the Blues" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) goes back a few years ago, the two often contribute songs to other artists, such as Wakita Monari ("If I Fall In Love With You", "hashiru boku", "Boy Friend", "akai Skirt"), SOLEIL ("Red Balloon", "Baby Boo", "Marine I Love You") and RYUTist ("Va Va Vacances!", "a birthday song"). Satō Seiki also does a lot of mastering work.

2. Nakatsuka Takeshi "hatsunatsu no Melody" (2016)
(Japanese title: 中塚武「初夏のメロディ」)

A member of Shibuya-kei band Qypthone (who returned with a show in Vietnam last year!), and ever since active as a solo singer-songwriter, here's a track from his latest album Nakatsuka Takeshi's latest album "EYE" ( (Japan), Spotify).

3. Hoshino Michiru "My Dear" (2019)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる「私だけの人」 "watashi dake no hito")

Singer-songwriter Hoshino Michiru has went through several stages and genres since the days when she used to be a member of idol group AKB48. On her latest album "Moonlight Conferssions" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), on which this song appears, she has went for a sound more acoustic than ever, with piano played by herself, woodbass and cello. That latest album was produced by Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, Les 5-4-3-2-1, etc.).

4. hitomitoi "Mystery Train" (2015)
(Japanese title: 一十三十一「ミステリートレイン」)

One of the first names that come to mind when thinking of recent years city pop is singer hitomitoi's, who just keeps surprising with awesome albums one after another. The song "Mystery Train" is one from her second-to-last album titled "The Memory Hotel" ( (Japan), Spotify). While her previous albums had more down-to-earth themes, in "The Memory Hotel" she went for a mysterious imaginary setting.

Be sure to also check out hitomitoi's latest album "Ecstasy", which was produced by Dorian. Also, her classic album "City Dive" is about to be released as a 2LP on May 20, 2020.

5. Wakita Monari "A la Espadrille" (2019)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり「エスパドリーユでつかまえて」 "Espadrille de tsukamaete")

This song is from Wakita Monari's latest solo album "Right Here" (, Spotify, YouTube Music). Its music and arrangement were done by Dorian, with lyrics written by hitomitoi (who you've just heard)! "A la Espadrille" was also released on 7". There's a music video that you can watch below.

6. Her Serves & Receive "Cheerio!" (2018)
(Japanese title: 彼女のサーブ＆レシーブ「Cheerio!」 kanojo no Serve & Receive "Cheerio!")

Her Serves & Receive is a girl vocal duo described as "future tennis icons". In their live shows, they often appear in tennis wear and holding rackets. Beyond the cool looks, their sounds have an addictive and soothing city pop feel. The song "Cheerio!" is one favorite that was written by (ex-)members of Instant Cytron. It's from their first album "Service Ace" (,, Spotify, YouTube Music).

7. Blue Peppers "Believe in Love" (2019)

Blue Peppers is a duo of two male songwriters, Fukuda Naoki and Inoue Kaoru. "Believe in Love" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) is their brand new song that was released digitally last December, as well as on 7". Aside from their own works, they have contributed a song to Hoshino Michiru ("ki ga tsukeba Looking for your love"), and she was also featured on one song on Blue Peppers' first full-length album "Retroactive" (Spotify, (Japan), YouTube Music). Inoue Kaoru is also often seen playing keyboards in many artists shows such as Tweedees and Amane Trill.

8. HALLCA "Milky Way" (2018)

HALLCA is a singer-songwriter and also keyboardist who last year released her first solo album "Villa" (, Spotify), following a mini-album titled "Apéritif e.p" (, Spotify, YouTube Music). Both of those included the song "Milky Way". For a bit of history, HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka) was previously the leader of idol group Especia, of which Wakita Monari was also part. After the group disbanded HALLCA went her way as a solo artist and has kept collaborating with some producers who often backed Especia, like for this one which was produced by PellyColo.

HALLCA performs live on YouTube every Sunday at 21:00 (Japan time). You can watch her latest archived show here, and subscribe to her channel to stay tuned for more. Also check her Twitter account for show announcements.

9. Sugar's Campaign "Big Wave" (2015)

Sugar's Campaign is a unit formed of two producers, Avec Avec and Seiho. "Big Wave" is from their first album "Friends" (, Spotify), and it's sung by their main singer Akio, although many of their songs feature various other singers. Since then they've released a 2nd album titled "Mamagoto" (Spotify), and more recently a new digital single titled "City Pop" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Individually, Avec Avec can be seen DJing on May 9 at Tokyo Dome City Hall, part of the release party planned for Nijisanji's album "Smash The Paint!" (to which he contributed the song "Playtime Magic" (YouTube)). Find event details here. For Seiho's schedule watch his Twitter account.

10. Izumi Ookawara x P.O.P "How I met you" (2017)
(Japanese title: 大河原泉×P.O.P 「How I met you」)

Izumi Ookawara (Facebook page) is the singer of Qypthone, and she has been mainly active singing solo for the past years. Her latest release was this single titled "How I met you" (, Spotify) in collaboration with P.O.P, a group featuring skillful twin rappers.

Several more of her solo songs were released digitally in the recent years (find a list here). She also appeared on a 7" by unit WabiSabi which contains a cover of Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime... moi non plus" (details). By the way, Qypthone were featured on NY producer Ursula 1000's latest album Esoterique (song "Campari and Soda") (, Spotify)!

11. Yoshida Tetsuto "hitomeguri" (2019)
(Japanese title: 吉田哲人「ひとめぐり」)

The first solo single by singer-songwriter Yoshida Tetsuto (and producer of many songs for various idols) is "hitomeguri", which was recently released only on 7". This song's lyrics were written by idol group WHY@DOLL for which Tetto (his nickname) wrote and produced many songs (check out the video for their song "Que Sera Sera" below, which appears on album "@LBUM"). Also check out last time 's program which featured B-side "hikari no naka e".

12. BANK "7 Days" (2015)

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). The song "7 Days" is taken from their album "True Tempo" (, Spotify, YouTube Music). BANK's leader and vocalist Nakamura Dai has also been active with a more acoustic band called Vacation Three.

13. Nakatsuka Takeshi "Miracle of Time" (2013)
(Japanese title: 中塚武「トキノキセキ」 "toki no kiseki")

One more by Nakatsuka Takeshi to wrap up the show! This one is from his second-to-last album "Lyrics" ( (Japan), Spotify).

Thanks for tuning in!

Find previous radio shows here.

Below are videos of songs and artists featured in this radio show.

First, some of the songs that you heard in the show above.

Wakita Monari "A la Espadrille"