Tokyo's Coolest Sound

mishmash* Julie Watai, unit of Cornelius' programmer Mishima Toyoaki (blog) with singer/model/photographer Julie Watai, has a 4th digital single that was released recently. The song is available in English and Japanese versions.

A self-titled CD album that comes with a book was released at the end of last year and is available at Amazon Japan, Amazon U.S., YesAsia and CDJapan.

mishmash* Julie Watai "Electromotive romances" (Download)

mishmash*
Out now (5/26)
Order: , Amazon, Amazon U.S.

mishmash* Julie Watai "kidenryoku Romance" (Download)
mishmash* Julie Watai 「起電力ロマンス」

mishmash*
Out now (5/26)
Order: , Amazon Japan, Amazon U.S.

"Electromotive romances"

"kidenryoku Romance"

See also:
"Don't Shoot Me. I'm Only the Pin-up Girl."
"Veiled by Reverb" (Download)
"Roll of Love" (Download)

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, currently very popular in Japan, has a new album dropping next week! "nanda Collection" (which I'd roughly translate to "What the...? collection") contains single hits "Fashion Monster", "kimi ni 100 Percent", "furisodeshon", "Ninjya Re Bang Bang", "Invader Invader", and also 7 brand new tracks! As always this is produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) making for great taste sounds. A cover of capsule's "Super Scooter Happy" (one of my favorites!) is also included.

The limited edition contains a bonus DVD of 4 music videos, and comes as a deluxe photo book like her previous releases.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "nanda Collection"
きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ 「なんだこれくしょん」

1. nanda Collection
2. Ninjya Re Bang Bang
3. kimi ni 100 Percent
4. Super Scooter Happy
5. Invader Invader
6. mi
7. Fashion Monster
8. saigo no Ice Cream
9. Noriko to Norio
10. furisodeshon
11. kurakura
12. otona na kodomo

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Fashion Monster
2. furisodeshon
3. Ninjya Re Bang Bang
4. Invader Invader

Limited edition (CD+DVD+Photo book)
Warner WPZL-30633
Out 6/26, ¥3620 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Warner WPCL-11518
Out 6/26, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Invader Invader"

Towa Tei has a new album on the way, "Lucky" to be released on July 10! Here's a new track to enjoy meanwhile. "Radio" features Takahashi Yukihiro (YMO) and model Tina Tamashiro, and is available now on iTunes Japan.

Be sure to check out the video below! Yahhoi!

Towa Tei "Radio (Edit) with Yukihiro Takahashi & Tina Tamashiro" (Download)

Warner
Out now (6/19), ¥250
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

"Radio (Edit) with Yukihiro Takahashi & Tina Tamashiro"

mononkul is a 4-piece jazz band with female vocalist. Their first full-length album is produced by Kikuchi Naruyoshi (DCPRG, Spank Happy) and out now.

mononkul "tobu monotachi, hau monotachi, utau monotachi"
ものんくる 「飛ぶものたち、這うものたち、歌うものたち」

1. kibō no koto
2. Marionette
3. Flower
4. yasashisa o kasaneru koto
5. ~Introduction~
6. haru o yumemiru
7. kasayakana nichiyōbi e
8. sayōnara
9. shiranai sora
10. baku no kuni kara kita shōjo

Airplane Label AP1049
Out now (5/22), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Album trailer

Shōwa-kayō groovy drag queen trio hoshikuzu Scat have a new EP out now, and it's again produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone)! The two first songs are originals he wrote the music for, and "aoi sangoshō" is a cover of Matsuda Seiko.

hoshikuzu Scat "Cosmetic Siren"
星屑スキャット 「コスメティック・サイレン」

1. Cosmetic Siren
2. News na yoru
3. aoi sangoshō
4. Cosmetic Siren (Instrumental)
5. News na yoru (Instrumental)
6. aoi sangosho (Instrumental)

Columbia COCA-16722
Out now (5/22), ¥1239 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Cosmetic Siren"

See also:
"Magnet Joe ni ki o tsukero (Single Version)"

Koshi Miharu has a new album out now, said to be a collection of covers mainly of standards from the 30's and 40's, in arrangements that focus on piano and vocals.

All songs can be sampled at the official release page.

Released at the same time is a re-issue of 2008 album "nozoki mado" (French title "Le judas"). Find it at Amazon and other retailers.

Koshi Miharu "Madame Crooner"
コシミハル 「Madame Crooner」

1. Polka dots and moonbeams
2. You do something to me
3. C'est si bon
4. Un jour mon prince viendra (Someday my prince will come)
5. Bonne nuit minouche
6. Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt (Falling in love again)
7. Kinder, heaut'abend, da such ich mir was aus
8. Parlez-moi d'amour
9. Mona lisa
10. La vie en rose
11. Source d'espoir
12. Les roses de Picardie (Rose of Picardy)
13. Wiegenlied

daisyworld/Speedstar VICL-64033
Out now (5/22), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"You do something to me"

Hosono Haruomi (YMO) has a new solo vocal album out now! The album consists mainly of covers, including ones of Kraftwerk's "Radio Activity", The Carpenters' "Close to You" and Bob Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece".

The album's main recording members are Takada Ren (pupa), Iga Wataru (lake), Itō Daichi (Sakerock) and Koshi Miharu, with guest appearances by Sakamoto Ryūichi, Kishida Shigeru (Quruli), Salyu, Ann Sally and Yoshida Minako.

All tracks can be sampled at the official release page. Also watch the fun clip below showing the artist dancing in his studio.

Aside from the CD, there's also a limited LP edition that seems to still be available at CDJapan.

Hosono Haruomi "Heavenly Music"
細野晴臣 「Heavenly Music」

1. Close to You
2. Something Stupid
3. Tip Toe Thru The Tulips with Me
4. My Bank Account Is Gone
5. Cow Cow Boogie
6. All La Glory
7. The Song Is Ended
8. When I Paint My Masterpiece
9. The House of Blue Lights
10. Rum wa osuki? part 2
11. I Love How You Love Me
12. Radio Activity

daisyworld/Speedstar VICL-64031
Out now (5/22), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"The House of Blue Lights"

Idiot Pop is a mysterious techno-pop artist who debuted in 2009 with a self-titled album. After the release of two mini-albums ("Idiography E.P" and "Idiography, Vol.2") came 2nd album "EXWORLD" in 2012.

Now here's a first remix album "TOY POP" that revisits the best songs from Idiot Pop's 4 first releases. The featured remixers are mostly young artists that Idiot Pop has been keeping an eye on, including ones from the Maltine Records scene (Avec Avec, Carpainter, hercelot, Yoshikawa Yoshino,...) as well as Missile Chewbacca and more. 2 remixes of "Anyway Someway" feat. Frenesi are included, as well as 3 brand new songs.

The iTunes edition has a few less tracks, but also a bonus remix not included on the CD, and it comes at a special price.

Idiot Pop "Toy Pop."

1. RE:EXWORLD
2. Wander Wonder (Awaking Daydream remix) Remixed by fu_mou
3. Anyway Someway feat. Frenesi (Avec Avec Remix)
4. Nothing To Be Afraid Of (Hercelot Remix)
5. Boys Don't Cry (New song)
6. Paradoxical Scream (Leggysalad Remix）
7. Sleeping Beauty (Taimei Remix)
8. We Belong Together (Musicarus ElectroFunk Remix)
9. MISS ME (gesu P Remix)
10. kimisarishi ato (MISSILE CHEWBACCA remix)
11. Love I Want feat. Hugo Manuel (Jonquil) (Boys Get Hurt Remix)
12. Magic (Yuuyu Aensland Remix)
13. POWER OF LOVE feat. PANORAMA FAMILY (New song)
14. Love I Want feat. Hugo Manuel (Jonquil) (DUPER GINGER Remix)
15. Anyway Someway feat. Frenesi (Yoshino Yoshikawa remix）
16. Dear Mom... (New song)

Idiot Pop Records IPR-006RMXCD
Out now (5/16), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Remix CD "Toy Pop." mega mix