Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Towa Tei has suddenly released a brand new album titled "AH!!". The album celebrates his 60th birthday. Included are collaborations Yukihiro Takahashi & Haruomi Hosono, Takkyu Ishino, Verbal, Taprikk Sweezee & BAKUBAKUDOKIN, Ruka, Chappo & Miya (Älborg), and also featuring guests Hiroshi Takano, Tomohiko Gondō, Ren Takada, and more. The jacket artwork is by Tadanori Yokoo.

The album was suddenly released digitally, in advance of an upcoming LP edition to be released on June 6.

Those in Japan can order directly from the Mach shop, where the first 200 copies will be given an autographed sticker.

Towa Tei "AH!!" (12"/Download)

A1. THE FINEST (feat. VERBAL)
A2. TYPICAL! (feat. TAKKYU ISHINO)
A3. LUDLOW
A4. INSECTA
A5. HAPPYHOUR (feat. RUKA)
B1. THE PROPHET (feat. YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI & HARUOMI HOSONO)
B2. GUM (feat. Taprikk Sweezee & BAKUBAKU DOKIN)
B3. B4GP4B
B4. WELCOME RAIN (feat. CHAPPO & MIYA (Älborg))
B5. TIME IN TOKIO
B6. HAPPYEND

Digital edition
Machbeat.com
Out now (3/29)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

LP edition
Machbeat.com MBLP-2501
Out 6/6, ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†, Disk Uniion,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

This is a new song by songwriter and pianist Kanako Hara, which features singer Hana Hope. The song "Exposure" has lyrics written by Shō Kurashina (of Good Bye April), and it is a first advance release from the upcoming "Tokyo City Pop vol.2 'Portrait'", follow-up to "Tokyo City Pop vol.1 'Portrait'" (2023).

Hana Hope is the same Hana who sang part of Yellow Magic Children at the age of 13, and also sang in Towa Tei's songs "Magic" and "Birthday", followed by many more performances.

Kanako Hara's "Birthday Live 2025" will be held on Friday March 28 at Cotton Club in Tokyo, with guests Hana Hope and Yoshihiro Tsujimoto. Find details here.

Kanako Hara "Exposure feat. Hana Hope" (Download)
はらかなこ 「露光 (Exposure) feat. Hana Hope」
(Japanese title: Hara Kanako "roko (Exposure) feat. Hana Hope")

DOBEATU DBTU3101
Out now (3/26)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Kaede (Negicco) has released a new song digitally, titled "Rushmore". Written and produced by Yūsuke Satō (caméra-stylo), it also features guitar played by Shinrizumu. It's the theme song for the movie "haru no yukisaki" (directed by Tarō Shibano).

This follows the single "Wrong" released last fall, after which a remix of its title song by Sora Ichikawa was also released digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

Kaede "Rushmore" (Download)

Fall Wait Records
Out now (3/26)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Hitomitoi is back this year with a brand new album, the follow-up to "Ecstasy" (2017). Included are songs with special collaborations with Wild Nothing, Juanpalitoschinos, and Los Retros (who previously collaborated with Jintana & Emeralds), and also songs produced by Dorian ("Déjà-vu no Blue"), Kengo Kakudate (Yogee New Waves) ("Wave Of You"), Shōhei Takagi (cero) ("Hamon Baby Boy") and Chocoholic ("Lost City").

Hitomitoi will perform part of event "Shinjuku Music Cruise" to be held on April 29 at Shinjuku Face, in a previously unseen set backed by Yuzuru Tomita and Leo Nanjo (Central). Find details here.

A band-backed special show will be held for the release at Billboard Live Tokyo on July 3 (and also at Billboard Live Osaka on June 30). Details can be found here.

Hitomitoi "Telepa Telepa"
一十三十一 「Telepa Telepa」

1. Like A First Kiss feat. Wild Nothing
2. Déjà-vu no Blue
3. Wave Of You
4. Before You Go feat. Los Retros
5. Lost City
6. Hamon Baby Boy
7. anata to Contigo feat. Juanpalitoschinos

Billboard Japan Records HBRJ-1029
Out 3/26, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Like A First Kiss feat. Wild Nothing"

Dai Nakamura (a.k.a. NUBACK, also of Blank Music, BANK and Vacation Three, ex-Arch) has released a new digital EP titled "One Day". Included are sound sketches recorded in January and February 2025, and also a self-cover of BANK's "Himitsu" (a song released on 7" in 2017).

The release can be found primarily on Bandcamp, and it's also up on YouTube and should be coming to other download/streaming platforms.

This follows the EP "Nami Oto" as Dai Nakamura, since which he also released "Nozomu Mono" as NUBACK.

Dai Nakamura "One Day" (Download)
Dai Nakamura 「One Day / 或る日」
(Japanese title: "One Day / aru hi")

1. Himitsu
2. One Day Part 1
3. One Day Part 2
4. A Nettai

Too Young Records
Out now (3/17)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

Sally Kubota (Wink Music Service, The Scooters, ex-The Phantom Gift, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL) is producing a new girl group named She's a Rainbow, featuring four young singers with the average age of 14. Members are Lin Oberndorff (of and Kokoa (both of idol unit ww), and Mio Amakawa and Nanako Aoyama (both of girl group Harajuku Gakuen). Lin Oberndorff was also featured in Wink Music Service (see album "It Girls").

The songs include self-covers of SOLEIL's "Pinky Fluffy" and "Baby Boo", Les 5-4-3-2-1's "Non! Non! Non!", and also a cover of Bo Diddley's "Mona (I Need You Baby)". The three self-covers are newly sung with English lyrics, and the CD also includes Japanese versions of "Pinky Fluffy" and "Baby Boo".

Musicians are Sally Kubota on bass, Hideki "Gen" Hara on drums, Nero on guitar, and Takashi Itani on percussions. The arrangements were done by Sally and Nero, with additional instruments performed by Yumi "Specs" Okada. The whole was mixed and mastered by Seiki Satō.

The CD comes in a 7"-sized package, and each includes a random photo card of one of the girls. Aside from the links below, those in Japan can also order from the label's online shop Merurido. Songs other than the Japanese versions can also be found on download/streaming platforms: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY.

On April 1st, a free in-store mini-live will be held at Tower Vinyl Shibuya (Tower Records Shibuya 6F) from 18:30. Details can be found here.

She's a Rainbow "Pinky Fluffy"
シーズ・ア・レインボー 「ピンキー・フラフィー」

1. She's a Rainbow ~ Overture
2. Pinky Fluffy
3. Non! Non! Non!
4. Baby Boo
5. Mona (I Need You Baby)
6. Pinky Fluffy (Japanese ver.)
7. Baby Boo (Japanese ver.)

Girls At Our Best ODGB005
Out 3/28, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†, Disk Union
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

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.58) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on March 10, 2025 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: March 11, 2025 from 9:30 a.m.

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

EDT (Montréal/New York) —

Thurs. March 20 at 6h30 a.m.

Japan time —

Thurs. March 20 at 19h30

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

1. Owarikarahajimari "We Are Feeling Love" (2025)
(Japanese title: おわりからはじまり 「We Are Feeling Love」)

Owarikarahajimari has released in January a new song titled "We Are Feeling Love" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). This song follows the EP "back to me" released last year (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Owarikarahajimari is an electronic rock band, formed of Ayup1ko (lead vocals & keyboards), Naka Tomizawa (a.k.a. King of Opus) (guitar, bass, programming), ALi Sueoka (guitar), and Wada Masao (computer/sound effects). All members also sing backing vocals.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Owarikarahajimari, OCHA∞ME

2. OCHA∞ME "Salad Days" (2024)
(Japanese title: OCHA∞ME 「サラダデイズ」)

The band OCHA∞ME (Instagram, 𝕏) released its first full-length album "walk on the boat" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) last October digitally and then on vinyl in January. The song "Salad Days" appears on this album. Check out the music video below!

3. Hazy Sour Cherry "Zombilly Rave (till someone call police!)" (2024)

From the latest album of Hazy Sour Cherry (Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp), the horror concept album "Hazy Horror Party" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music), this is the song "Zombilly Rave (till someone call police!)". The album is the original soundtrack of a fictional horror movie, and although dropped in time for last Halloween, it's always time for a fun spooky time. Read more about the album and each of the songs at Bandcamp.

Available mainly on Bandcamp, in digital and colored-LP editions, it can also be found on download/streaming platforms. The LP was released on UK label Damnably. Those in Japan can also order the LP directly from the band's web shop.

4. Kidder Friendly Club "Endless Summertime Blues" (2023)

From girl garage band Kidder Friendly Club (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube)'s latest mini-album "Kidder Friendly Philosophy" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). On it appears the song "Endless Summertime Blues". Check out the music video below!

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Hazy Sour Cherry, Kidder Friendly Club, Salome no Kuchibiru

5. Salome no Kuchibiru "Niju rasen no koi" (2020)
(Japanese title: サロメの唇 「二重螺旋の恋」)

Salome no Kuchibiru (aka Salome Lips) was a unique band that mixed rock and unique singing that often reminded of Japanese minyō chants. They disbanded towards the end of 2020 after some 17 years of activity, but they did release an epic last album titled "Religion" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Since then, leader and bassist Satoshi Mizuno has gone a long way into a different art form: sculpture (see his Instagram account). He will however play bass in an event for the first time in 4 years on March 29 at Green Apple in Kōenji (details), with members of another band he was part of named New Action.

6. AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN "Junk" (2024)

Next is a song from the first album of Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan (𝕏, Instagram), "Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan Republic" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song "Junk" is one that's written and produced by the album's main producer CMJK (Cutemen, ex-Denki Groove).

Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan, nicknamed Konneki, is known both as a comedian/talent and a musical artist. Check out her YouTube channel.

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN, The Pen Friend Club

7. The Pen Friend Club "Tell Me (Do You Really Love Me) (Re-recording 2024)" (2024)

This is the closing song from The Pen Friend Club's latest album "Back In The Pen Friend Club" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), the first album featuring their latest vocalist Niina (UK-born British-Japanese). The album is also available on CD (CDJapan, HMV).

The Pen Friend Club also recently released a greatest hits album covering the last 6 years: "Best Of The Pen Friend Club 2018-2024".

The band is now working on a brand new double album of just original songs, to be titled "Songularity", and there is a crowdfunding project to support it.

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.

mmm (a.k.a. Moe Ishii) has started a new band named taro. The first self-titled EP features support members Emerson Kitamura on keyboards and Yuta Suganuma on drums. The 4-song release is available mainly digitally, though a physical CD can also be found on Bandcamp.

A listening party will be held on Bandcamp, on March 1st from noon JST. You can RSVP and participate here.

A first solo show of taro will be held on Friday, April 11 at Shimokitazawa Spread. Find details and reserve tickets at Peatix.

taro "taro" (Download)
タロ 「taro」

1. keshin no tabi
2. her kinks
3. burn
4. BOO!

N/A Products.
Out now (2/26)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura) (Instagram, 𝕏) and nonayu (Instagram, 𝕏) have released a new collaboration single, this time a cover of a song that they used to sing as members of idol group avandoned when Beni was still 16. "Tenmetsu Bye-Bye" appeared on avandoned's 1st mini-album "Picnic at nerd park". The new cover is a re-arranged version.

This release follows two more collaborations by nonayu and usabeni, "Ice Bahn" and "PEEK-A-BOO!".

nonayu x usabeni "Tenmetsu Bye-Bye" (Download)
nonayu × usabeni 「点滅ばいばい」

Newton wa ijimerarekko
Out now (2/26)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Gallantique Kazue (of Hoshikuzu Scat) has released a new single on CD and vinyl. It features for backband the Yasushi Suzuki Group (a group based at U.F.O. Club in Koenji) and also members of Wack Wack Rhythm Band.

The title song "tada sore dake no koto" is a cover of Kimiko Sakai (and was also covered in the recent years by Aki Yashiro in "Songs Around Midnight"), and also included are covers of "koi wa massakasama" (from the movie "Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal") and "kusari" (a.k.a. "Chain of Love") from the anime "sasurai no taiyō".

The 7" edition will come a bit later at the end of March, and contain "tada sore dake no koto" and "kurari". The 3 songs from the CD are also available digitally on download/streaming platforms.

Gallantique Kazue has upcoming band-backed shows at Cotton Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo on March 8 and 15, and also a piano set on March 23 at Theater Mercury in Shinjuku. Find the full schedule here.

Gallantique Kazue & Yasushi Suzuki Group "tada sore dake no koto" (CD/Download)
ギャランティーク和恵と鈴木やすしグループ 「ただそれだけのこと」

1. tada sore dake no koto
2. koi wa massakasama
3. kusari

CD edition
More More Love MLCD0019
Out now (2/19), ¥1637 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Disk Union
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Gallantique Kazue & Yasushi Suzuki Group "tada sore dake no koto" (7")
ギャランティーク和恵と鈴木やすしグループ 「ただそれだけのこと」

A. tada sore dake no koto
B. kusari

7" edition
Clinck Records CREP5751
Out 3/28, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, Disk Union
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.