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.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.38) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on April 20 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: April 21, 2023 from 9:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks, between Thursday noon and Friday noon (EDT), including the times below:

EDT (Montréal/New York) —

Fri. April 28 at 2h30

Japan time —

Fri. April 28 at 15h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (some replaced 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 that you can listen to.

1. Wink Music Service "To Rome With Love" (2023)
(Japanese title: Wink Music Service 「ローマでチャオ」 "Roma de Ciao")

Wink Music Service is a brand new group formed of Keitaro Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). The project is expected to feature various guests, and the first single is sung by 17-year-old Angie Hiyori, an actress and currently high-school student who has a Colombian father and Japanese mother. This first original song has music written by Yumi Okada (who was the arranger of SOLEIL), with lyrics by Yūko Iizumi (of microstar).

It is out now on 7" vinyl and digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). This was mastered by Seiki Satō (microstar).

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Wink Music Service, Hideki Kaji

2. Hideki Kaji "April Fool" (2022)
(Japanese title: カジヒデキ Kaji Hideki 「April Fool」)

Since it's already April I was inspired to play two favorite songs about April that I like. First is Hideki Kaji's "April Fool". Featured musicians are Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums (who also plays on Wink Music Service heard just before), and Usiho Kenta (of band Otogivanashi) on electric guitar. This one was released in April 2022.

Since then he has released new songs "Summer Sunday Smile" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) and "A Room Without You" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and more recently produced a song for Nao☆ (Negicco): "Keep Banging on the Door!" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). There has also been a LP edition of 2nd album "Tea" released last year, which is still available at this time.

Hideki Kaji has a show this weekend Saturday April 22 at mona records, with also Hideki Kaji, The Pen Friend Club, Grenfelle, and DJ Toru Hashimoto. Find details here. Also, a special "Blue Boys Club" event for his birthday will be held on May 7 at Shimokitazawa Flowers Loft (details).

3. The Aprils "Aprilster" (2020)
(Japanese title: エイプリルズ Aprils 「4月の人」 "4gatsu no hito (Aprilster)")

Another April favorite, "Aprilster" is an original song by The Aprils released digitally in 2020 (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Since then The Aprils have contributed several songs to compilation "Dengeki! Picompilation Ele-Punkers" (Spotify, ), in collaboration with guitarist Shingo (of Tokimeki Express), and also two tracks to instrumental compilation "A vs B ! Riff-Collection" (Spotify, ).

4. Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Kikenga Ippai" (2023)
(Japanese title: Wack Wack Rhythm Band 「危険がいっぱい」)

Wack Wack Rhythm Band has just released a brand new album, which is actually their first cover album, titled "at the Friday Club". This song titled "Kikenga Ippai" is originally by Essence Of Capricorn, an obscure track from a 7" single made in 1975 (perhaps promo only). This cover by Wack Wack Rhythm Band features singer and ex-member Lemon.

The album also includes covers of Marvin Gaye, The Friday Club, Cold Blood, The Supremes, Frankie Valli, Georgie Fame, Young-Hold Unlimited, and also a self-cover of "Hit & Run". The album is available on CD and digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Wack Wack Rhythm Band have a show this weekend Saturday April 22 at mona records, with also Hideki Kaji, The Pen Friend Club, Grenfelle, and DJ Toru Hashimoto. Find details here. They also have an upcoming show on May 3 at Koenji U.F.O. Club together with The Scooters.

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: The Aprils, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, Kanako Hara

5. Kanako Hara "Tokyo Neon feat. Hiromi" (2023)
(Japanese title: はらかなこ Hara Kanako 「Tokyo Neon feat.宏美」 "Tokyo Neon feat. Hiromi")

Kanako Hara is a pianist, songwriiter and producer will be releasing an EP titled "Tokyo City Pop vol.1 'Portrait'" in June. "Tokyo Neon feat. Hiromi" is one song from it, and has been released in advance digitally this month (Spotify, , YouTube Music). "Tokyo Neon" uses samples from Anri's 1983 city pop classic song "Remember Summer Days".

Stay tuned for more info about the upcoming EP, to be announced on this site.

6. Beni Usakura "Cosmic Dress" (2023)
(Japanese title: 宇佐蔵べに Usakura Beni 「コズミックドレス」 "Cosmic Dress")

This is the latest solo single of self-produced solo idol Beni Usakura: "Cosmic Dress" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The melodic piano-led dance tune is written by long-time collaborator Tsuruuchi Hana (of the Hana to Pops label). There's a music video that can be watched below, directed and edited by Beni herself, who also did the artwork.

In terms of solo works, "Cosmic Dress" follows mini-album "NEW" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) which was sound-produced by Emiri Kanou. She also recently sang on single "Yoakemae" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), a collaboration with Kobe band Yoimachi.

Beni Usakura always has several upcoming events. An important one of which she is the main performer will be on May 5 at Shinjuku Marble from noon (details). For those who want to see Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura, there's a show on May 19 at Shimokitazawa Club Que starting at 19:00 (tickets).

7. xiangyu "katappo shoes" (2023)
(Japanese title: xiangyu 「かたっぽshoes」 "katappo shoes")

xiangyu (Twitter, Instagram) has released last month a new song titled "katappo shoes" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), taking inspiration from abandoned single shoes strangely found on a highway. The track is by Gimgigam, like the previous "tofu so good / Zarigani" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Check out the video below!

xiangyu will perform on Sunday April 23 at the Connect Kabukicho event to be held in 8 nearby venues simultaneously.

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Beni Usakura, xiangyu, bala

8. bala "barla" (2023)

bala (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok) is a recently formed collective of girl artists and creators with an international background, featuring MANON, SUNNY ONLY1, art director DAN and 3DCG designer KANO. Their first single is "barla" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), produced by Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) with lyrics by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella).

bala have performed a virtual metaverse show following the single release, and it can be watched on YouTube and some unreleased music can be heard in it.

bala's next show will be at event "ASOBIZA" on Friday April 28 starting at 21:00. Find details here.

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.