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.44) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on December 21 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: December 22, 2023 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks, including the times below:

EST (Montréal/New York) —

Sun. December 31, 2023 at 23h30

Japan time —

Mon. January 1, 2024 at 13h30

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 which you can listen to.

1. bala "Tokyo Survivor" (2023)
(Japanese title: bala 「トーキョーサバイバー」)

This is the latest song of bala (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok). Titled "Tokyo Survivor" (Spotify, (World), (Japan), YouTube Music), it's their 3rd original track so far, and is written and produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella) who had also contributed lyrics to bala's debut song "barla".

bala is a crew of girl artists & creators, fronted by singers MANON and SUNNY ONLY1. This new song also credits KANO (their 3DCG designer) and for the first time singer MERRY. Check out the music video below, in which two directors took turns to picture the group hanging out in Tokyo streets.

bala will appear in a New Year event titled "ASOBIZA" at Zero Tokyo on January 12. Find details and tickets here.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: bala, usabeni

2. usabeni "Charming?" (2023)

Self-produced idol Beni Usakura recently changed her solo artist name to usabeni (until then her nickname), and now she has released a new mini-album titled "textures!" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). "Charming?" is a song from that new release, and it was produced by Muneyoshi Matsuo (ex-instant cytron) with guitar played by Goro Nagase (instant cytron).

"textures!" is also available physically on CD (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower), also via her brand NARUHESON;S' online shop (shipping within Japan).

3. Monari Wakita "mekuru Make Love" (2023)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり 「めくるMake Love」)

Monari Wakita has released just recently a 4th album titled "UNI" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) (pronounced as in "Universe"), of which all the songs are produced by Dorian. The song "mekuru Make Love" is one from this new album, and it has lyrics written by Yurina Da Gold Digger (of Magic, Drums & Love).

The album "UNI" is also available on CD, at Amazon, HMV, Tower, etc.

4. Maika Loubté "A+B=C" (2023)

Maika Loubté has released in October a new mini-album titled "mani mani" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which appeared "A+B=C". She has explained that the album title is from an old Japanese phrase that she interprets as "following the heart".

Several songs from "mani mani" have music videos, such as "Inner Child".

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Monari Wakita, Maika Loubté, Hideki Kaji

5. Hideki Kaji "We Are The Borders" (2023)
(Japanese title: カジヒデキ 「We Are The Borders」)

Hideki Kaji has just released a winter-themed EP, which includes brand new song "We Are The Borders" featuring guest singers Miram and kiss the gambler a.k.a. Kanafun.

The song is available on a CD EP with two exclusive homemade session tracks, and also digitally part of a new compilation titled "Winter Songs For You!" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) of his many winter-themed songs.

6. Jenny Jenny "Jenny Jenny" (2023)
(Japanese title: ジェニ・ジェニ 「ジェニ・ジェニ」)

4-piece girl rock'n'roll band Jenny Jenny (Instagram, 𝕏) was formed in 2022, and they have just released their debut 7" single, which consists of their theme song "Jenny Jenny" (a cover of Little Richard's song), and with for B-side "yureru kami" (a cover of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me"), both sung in Japanese. It's available at Disk Union, Vamp! Shop, among others.

Jenny Jenny will play shows on December 28 at Nishi-Eifuku JAM, and on December 31 at Ogikubo Top Beat Club. Check their 𝕏 account for details.

Jenny Jenny's music isn't available digitally, but here's a live performance of the original song "Tsukemono Twist" followed by a short version of "Jenny Jenny".

7. Voodoo Club "Theme of Voodoo Club" (2023)
(Japanese title: 暴動クラブ 「暴動クラブのテーマ」)

Voodoo Club (𝕏, Instagram) is a rock'n'roll band of four with an average age of 20 years old. Formed in May 2022, their first physical release was for Record Day 2023 last month with the single of their theme song, "Theme of Voodoo Club", of which the B-side is a cover of "Money (That's what I want)". Check out the music video below filmed at one of their shows.

An EP of demos titled "Early Works" is also available digitally: Spotify, .

Upcoming shows include a day event with many bands on Wednesday December 27 at Shinjuku Loft (tickets), among several more. Watch their SNS accounts for more details.

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Jenny Jenny, Voodoo Club, Milk Talk

8. Milk Talk "The Velvet Line" (2023)

Milk Talk (Instagram, 𝕏, Bandcamp) is a duo formed of The Hair Kid, a U.S.-born musician who lives in Himeji (Hyōgō pref.), and the Tokyo-based vocalist Q.i. After having released several singles digitally, "Milk Talk" is their first full-length album "Milk Talk" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music), of which "The Velvet Line" is the lead single.

Milk Talk will perform in Tokyo on February 24, 2024, after touring Hiroshima and Kagawa. Watch their Instagram for details.

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.