Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Voice actress/singer Hanazawa Kana's new single again features a great line-up. The title track was written and produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), with strings arranged by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme). "Spanish Apartment" was written and produced by Okii Reiji (Frog, Scott Goes For, ex-Cymbals), while "white christmas" has music written by mito (clammbon).

The limited edition comes with a DVD of the title track's music video.

A full-length 2nd album titled "25" is planned for release on February 26, 2014.

Hanazawa Kana "Love Planet"
花澤香菜 「恋する惑星」
Japanese title: "koi suru wakusei"

1. koi suru wakusei
2. Spanish Apartment
3. white christmas
4. koi suru wakusei (Instrumental)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Aniplex SVWC-7974
Out now (12/25), ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Aniplex SVWC-7976
Out now (12/25), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"koi suru wakusei" (Short ver.)

As released on CD earlier this year, here's a 7" cut of Konishi Yasuharu's take of drama "dakishimetai!"'s theme song. The A-side is the theme song as performed by Every Little Thing and produced by Konishi, while the B-side is an acoustic instrumental version that was used as BGM.

Audio samples at Jet Set.

Every Little Thing/Konishi Yasuharu "Aquamarine no mama de ite" (7")
Every Little Thing/小西康陽 「アクアマリンのままでいて」

A. Every Little Thing / Aquamarine no mama de ite
B. Konishi Yasuharu / Aquamarine no mama de ite -Drama yō-

Avex / Jet Set JS7S060
Out now (12/20), ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon

Popular character Nameko inspired this compilation that features new tracks by the likes of YMCK, Kaseki Cider and YeYe, and many others.

The first pressing comes with a bonus CD and Nameko handkerchief towel, so you might be lucky if you order quickly.

Various Artists "Nameko no CD 2"
オムニバス 「なめこのCD2」

1. pyon pyon pyon / Fukuhara Haruka
2. itoshi no senpai / YUKA from moumoon
3. Nameko no uta (jigoku no Nameko no uta) / His Excellency Demon (Demon kakka)
4. minna ōsama / Oku Hanako
5. nnfnnf ondo / Jero
6. GOLDY PYRAMID / Sugi-chan
7. nfutto Merry Christmas! / THE Possible
8. hoshi ni naritai / YMCK
9. ayakashi hyakkin yakō / Kurosaki Mahiro (Kiryū)
10. shiawase nonfufu / Aya with Kaseki Cider
11. Bon appétit ~meshi agare♪~ / Nomizu Iori
12. Soup is Like a Lake / YeYe
13. Ellie ni kubittake / bosutonzu

nnfnnf Records NFNF-0004
Out now (12/18), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Sugi-chan "GOLDY PYRAMID"

Sample all songs

Scat vocal group Pecombo's latest release is a cover mini-album of French standards. This is a download-only release, available worldwide on iTunes.

Pecombo "Pecombo sings French Classics" (Download)
ペコンボ 「ペコンボ、フランスのスタンダード・ポップを歌う」
(Japanese title: "Pecombo, France no Standard Pop o utau")

1. My Way - Comme d'habitude
2. L'eau à la bouche
3. Sous le ciel de Paris
4. Chanson des jumelles
5. La vie en rose

Sol Bossa Records / Megadolly
Out now (12/16)
Sample/buy:

Pecombo live

Veteran new wave band Hikashu has released new album "bankan" this month. This was recorded in studio in New York last May.

Also, a mini-album featuring Charan Po Rantan, a duo unit of two sisters, was also released on Christmas day. This one contains covers of Hikashu Christmas song "tengoku o nozokitai" and also of the theme song of "Mothra" (originally sung by The Peanuts).

Hikashu "bankan"
ヒカシュー 「万感」

1. me to me no Net
2. nanoka dōka
3. Nabokov no chō
4. niwatori tonda
5. inori no Color
6. nyokinyoki haetekita
7. ningen ni kaeritai
8. moshi moshiga
9. mijime na Puppet
10. mienai kankei (jūden shiteru)
11. sono tsumori

Makigami Records MKR-0009
Out now (12/12), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Hikashu feat. Charan-Po-Rantan "Chakra biraki"
ヒカシュー feat. チャラン・ポ・ランタン 「チャクラ開き」

1. tengoku o nozokitai
2, Mothra no uta
3. dame kana?
4. Chakra biraki
5. kibanda Bandana

Bridge EGDS-62
Out now (12/25), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Rap idol unit lyrical school's latest single is new song "waratte.net" coupled with "My kawaii nichijōtachi" from album "date course". Both songs were written by Illreme ((((sssurrounddd)))).

The limited edition contains two live tracks from a show held on November 3.

Upcoming shows include event "Mixed Up" on January 19 at Daikanyama Loop (with blue marble, Nanba Shiho and Charisma.com), and a one-man show on February 7 at Shibuya WWW. Tickets are on sale.

lyrical school "waratte.net / My kawaii nichijōtachi"
lyrical school 「わらって.net / Myかわいい日常たち」

1. waratte.net
2. My kawaii nichijōtachi
3. PARADE (date course special tour final) (limited edition only)
4. photograph (date course special tour final) (limited edition only)
5. waratte.net (inst)
6. My kawaii nichijōtachi (inst)

Limited edition (w/ bonus live tracks)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0063
Out now (12/11), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (only 4 tracks)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0064
Out now (12/11), ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"My kawaii nichijōtachi"

Need a NES music fix? Try this recent compilation of music from hit Nintendo games. What distinguishes it from previous releases is that the media conforms to the high quality "Blu-spec CD2" standard (plays in normal CD players), a first for Famicom 8-bit music. Also the price is nice considering it's a 2-CD compilation.

Some audio samples can be heard on the official release page, that's if you can handle the Windows Media or Real formats...

"Nintendo Famicom Music"
「任天堂ファミコン ミュージック」

Disc 1 (ROM Cassette)
1. Super Mario Bros.
2. Donkey Kong
3. Donkey Kong JR.
4. Mario Bros.
5. Bassball
6. Soccer
7. Volleyball
8. Pro Wrestling
9. Donkey Kong 3
10. Devil World
11. Clu Clu Land
12. Balloon Fight
13. Ice Climber
14. Wrecking Crew
15. Mach Rider
16. Famicom Wars
17. Super Mario Bros. 3
18. Dr. Mario

Disc 2 (Disk System)
1. Disk System
2. The Legend of Zelda
3. nazo no murasame
4. Metroid
5. Kid Icarus
6. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
7. Famicom Mukashibanashi: Shin Onigashima (Part 1)
8. Famicom Mukashibanashi: Shin Onigashima (Part 2)

Columbia COCX-38295
Out now (12/4), ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

MEG dropped a new full-length album this month. This includes tracks written and/or produced by artists such as tofubeats, TeddyLoid, Kojima Mayumi, DE DE MOUSE and more. A limited edition comes with a DVD of two music videos plus a mysterious "8bit RPG GAME".

All tracks can be sampled at CDJapan and other retailers linked below.

MEG "Continue"

1. prologue
2. tabidachi no uta
3. SAVE
4. hanaretai no wa...
5. WE LIVE,WE LOVE
6. kimi ga tame
7. uchū no MON DIEU
8. KISS OR BITE
9. kurumi wari
10. clair de lune
11. A BATTLE OF PARADOX
12. CONTINUE

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. KISS OR BITE (Music clip)
2. SAVE (Music clip)
3. 8bit RPG GAME "MEG THE WORLD FUTURE"

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Starchild KICS-91972
Out now (12/4), ¥3334 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (17% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Starchild KICS-1972
Out now (12/4), ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Kiss or Bite / MEG Zombies + Save / MEG"

Harada Ikuko (clammbon) has joined forces with Thai manga & animation artist Wisut Ponnimit for this special collaboration album. The album also features special guest Pod from Thai band Moderndog.

This comes as a limited edition package including the CD album, a DVD with videos of all songs, along with a booklet full of illustrations and photos from live shows and recording sessions.

Check out this special site.

Harada Ikuko & Wisut Ponnimit "Baan" (CD+DVD+Book)
原田郁子 & ウィスット・ポンニミット「Baan」

1. ii koto
2. atama
3. Soft Cream
4. Khao soi
5. supannikar
6. kemuri
7. sekkaku
8. yurenai kokoro
9. Sawadee

Columbia COZP-810
Out now (12/4), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (16% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Soft cream"

Trailer clip

This is a live album by neo-GS girl band Kinoco Hotel, taking you back in time to May 2009. This comes as a CD, with a bonus DVD of 3 live tracks (of another show from March 2009).

Kinoco Hotel can next be seen live on January 4 at UFO Club in Kōenji. The venue will be celebrating its 18th anniversary.

Kinoco Hotel "Salon De Kinoco On Stage" (CD+DVD)
キノコホテル 「サロンドキノコ～実況録音盤」
(Japanese title: "Salon De Kinoco ~ jikkyō rokuon ban")

CD
1. shizuka na mori de
2. koi no bakudan
3. koi no Touch And Go
4. koi wa furimukanai
5. atashi no Sniper
6. ningyo no koi
7. yoru no hanabira
8. Kinoco Hotel shōka

DVD
1. Neon no namida
2. yūyake ga shitteiru
3. moetsukitai no

Voltage Records BQGS-20
Out now (12/4), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (16% off *), HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Neon no namida"
(This live clip may or not be the same as the DVD.)

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set has a new album that was released this month! This includes song "One Day" that's being featured as the theme song of game-themed TV series "No-Con Kid".

The limited edition contains a bonus DVD with the video for "One Day" and teasers of song "Stand Up".

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set can be caught live on December 29 at Liquidroom.

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set "try∴angle"

1. Stand Up
2. sabaku ni furu konayuki
3. I don't know
4. kono sekai ni,
5. nemureru machi yo
6. natsu no omokage
7. ano hi no shinkirō
8. BLENDA
9. Slope up
10. I'm So Crazy!
11. One day

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
avex trax AVCD-38862
Out now (12/4), ¥3500 (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.

Regular edition (CD only)
avex trax AVCD-38863
Out now (12/4), ¥2800 (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.

"One Day"

"Stand Up" trailer

sugar me, the solo project of singer-songwriter Teraoka Ayumi, has a 1st album out now! This features guests including Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Itoken, and members of milk and number 0.

sugar me can be seen live together with Au Revoir Simone (Rallye label mates) in January. The tour starts in Tokyo on January 13 at Shibuya O-Nest. Details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

sugar me "Why White Y?"

1. summer queen
2. 1,2,3
3. couleur café (serge gainsbourg cover)
4. monsieur le démon
5. don't say so (Why White Y? ver.)
6. morning of the world
7. as you grow
8. sometimes lonely

Rallye RYECD-180
Out now (12/18), ¥1905 (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.

"As You Grow"

"1,2,3"

Here's a 2nd album from fox capture plan, instrumental jazz-rock trio formed of Kishimoto Ryo (Jabberloop), Kawai Hidehiro (Immigrant's Bossa Band) and Inoue Tsukasa (direction of the chord, ex-nhhmbase). This follows "trinity" released just last May. All songs are originals except for the last track, a cover of Massive Attack's "Teardrop"!

Recently a split mini-album with bohemianvoodoo, titled "color & monochrome" (Amazon, HMV, CDJapan), was also released. Watch a trailer clip here.

fox capture plan "BRIDGE"

1. Attack on fox
2. RISING
3. Bridge #1
4. Far out
5. tozasareta aoi kūkan
6. Bridge #2
7. Pictures
8. 3rd Down (Alternate Take)
9. Bridge #3
10. Teardrop (Massive Attack)

Playwright PWT-7
Out now (12/4), ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"RISING"

"Attack on fox"

Electro-pop unit CANDLES has a 3rd mini-album out now, filled with melodious upbeat dance tracks. New remixes by NUXX and A-bee are included.

A release party will be held on December 13 at Shibuya Glad, also featuring Cutie Pai, SAWA and more.

CANDLES "Sense of direction"

1. Identity
2. Brand new emotion
3. The future of us
4. Voice
5. Sense of direction
6. Parallel world (NUXX Remix)
7. EVOLUTIONAL FORM (A-bee Remix)

on-do/Universal POCS-1117
Out now (12/4), ¥1429 (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.

See also:
"Evolutional Form"
"Fantastic parallel world"

Voice actress Taketatsu Ayana has a new single out now, of which title track "shūmatsu Cinderella" (translates as "Weekend Cinderella") is a ska song written by TMGX (Frontier Backyard). Musicians include members of Frontier Backyard, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, etc. The B-side was produced by Yoshida Tetsuto, and features Okii Reiji (Scott Goes For, ex-Cymbals) and more.

The limited edition includes a DVD of the title track's music video.

Taketatsu Ayana "shūmatsu Cinderella"
竹達彩奈 「週末シンデレラ」

1. shūmatsu Cinderella
2. Marshmallow
3. shūmatsu Cinderella (Instrumental)
4. Marshmallow (Instrumental)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1376
Out now (12/4), ¥1762 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (11% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Pony Canyon PCCG-70198
Out now (12/4), ¥1286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡), Amazon MP3 (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"shūmatsu Cinderella" (Short version)

mishmash* Julie Watai, unit produced by Mishima Toyoaki ("the man behind Cornelius") and featuring singer/model/photographer Julie Watai, has a new album out now! This "Second Album" contains new songs "Do a 180" and "Heartbrakeroid" and the previously digitally released "Electromotive Romances", all in both Japanese and English versions. Also included are new remixes of previously released songs.

Beware, this package does not include a CD, but rather comes as a A5-size booklet of 40 pages with a download code. At least Amazon includes an original desktop calendar with the first pressing.

mishmash* Julie Watai "The Second Album"

1. kidenryoku Romance
2. maware migi, nigerunda
3. Heartbrakeroid
4. Reverb no oku ni [34423 mix]
5. koi no tamashii [COR!S mix]
6. Go Farby Go [COR!S mix]
7. 3pun Shakespear [sawako mix]
8. Gradol o utanai de [Tomohiko Gondo mix]
9. Scattered / Go-qualia
10. Electromotive Romances (English version)
11. Do a 180 (English version)
12. Heartbrakeroid (English version)

mishmash* MMPX-39
Out now (12/5), ¥1829 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Do a 180"

"Heartbrakeroid"