Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Negicco has just released a new single of which the title track is a new version of "attōteki na Style" re-recorded with their backing band, NEGiBAND. The B-side is a brand new song with music written by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme) and lyrics by connie, and was also recorded with a full band. Check out the video below!

The single comes in two formats, CD and 7", both limited to the initial pressing only.

Negicco will tour Japan backed by their NEGiBAND from February to April, with a finale at Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo on April 27. Tickets go on sale January 23. Details here.

Negicco "attōteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.-" (CD)
Negicco 「圧倒的なスタイル -NEGiBAND ver.-」

1. attoteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.‐
2. Canal no madobe
3. attoteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.‐(inst)
4. Canal no madobe (inst)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0145
Out 12/26, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Negicco "attōteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.-" (7")
Negicco 「圧倒的なスタイル -NEGiBAND ver.-」

A. attoteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.‐
B. Canal no madobe

T-Palette Records TPRV-0018
Out 12/26, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Canal no madobe"

Denki Groove's official documentary movie "Denki Groove The Movie" is being screened in theaters throughout Japan since December 26 for a limited time. The movie is full of rare footage covering the band's history since it was founded in 1989. To accompany the movie, this soundtrack including some rare and exclusive tracks has also been released. A newly recorded version of hit song "N.O." is also included.

Hear audio samples at HMV.

Denki Groove will play one-man shows at Zepp Tokyo on March 8 and 9, following ashow at Zepp Namba (Osaka) on March 4. Tickets go on sale February 6.

Denki Groove "Denki Groove The Movie? -The Music Selection-"
電気グルーヴ 「DENKI GROOVE THE MOVIE? -THE MUSIC SELECTION-」

1. 25 Raw Beats (Movie Edit)
2. HELLO MR.MONKEY MAGIC ORCHESTRA (Live @ FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2014)
3. Denki biribiri
4. MUD EBIS (chimimix)
5. shinkansen (Movie Edit)
6. niji (Live @ Mayday Mix)
7. Mama Cake
8. Shangri-La
9. VOLCANIC DRUMBEATS (Live @ YAKYU DISCO 1997.8.16 Akasaka BLITZ)
10. FLASHBACK DISCO (Live @ FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2014)
11. hikenai Guitar o hikun da ze
12. Twilight
13. Shonen Young
14. SHAMEFUL
15. N.O. 2016

Ki/oon KSCL-2646
Out now (12/23), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Movie trailer

Here's a funny one. Popular comedian Hamada Masatoshi (of comedy unit Downtown) parodies Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in this single released as Hamada Bamyu Bamyu. This gets interesting as the track is produced by none other than Nakata Yasutaka, and the jacket and video were done by Kyary's own art director Sebastian Masuda!

Hamada Bamyu Bamyu "Nandeya Nen Nen"
浜田ばみゅばみゅ 「なんでやねんねん」

1. Nandeya Nen Nen
2. Nandeya Nen Nen -remix-
3. Nandeya Nen Nen -instrumental-

Warner Music WPCL-12300
Out now (12/16), ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (Japan ^‡), Amazon Japan MP3
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Nandeya Nen Nen"

Sexy-Synthesizer is back with brand new album "Space"! It had been 8 years since previous album "Rock" (2007) which was released in several forms meanwhile. "Space" has a concept of shooting game music, and comes as a mini-LP package of two CDs (the 2nd only holding one song).

The CD is available worldwide directly via Bandcamp, or at Amazon Japan.

Sexy-Synthesizer can next be seen live at the annual Famicom all-night festival event Fami-mōde.

SEXY-SYNTHESIZER "SPACE"

CD 1
1. Press Start
2. Sing
3. Stage 2
4. R or L ?
5. Docking
6. Gamer's Delight Pt.4
7. Gamer's Delight Pt.5
8. Hand In Hand
9. High Score!
10. Dream Tomorrow
11. To The Space

CD 2
1. Venus

Eau Rouge Recordings
Out now (12/9), ¥1800 (excl. tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Amazon

Preview mix

Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) have released yet another 7" single this month! "nikyū tenshi no Theme" is a brand new original, while "ame ni hohoemi o" is a Japanese lyrics disco cover of Neil Sedaka's "Laughter in the Rain".

The package contains both a 7" and CD.

Count Joke "nikyū tenshi no Theme / ame ni hohoemi o" (7"+CD)
冗談伯爵 「二級天使のテーマ / 雨に微笑を」

7"
A. nikyū tenshi no Theme
B. ame ni hohoemi o

CD
1. nikyū tenshi no Theme
2. ame ni hohoemi o
3. nikyū tenshi no Theme (inst)
4. ame ni hohoemi o (inst)

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCCD-9567
Out now (12/9), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler

See also:
"Pink Shadow / tamago" (7"+CD)
"itsuka dokoka de c/w yūrei no Ballad" (7"+CD)
"LED c/w nagisa" (7"+CD)
"bird man c/w ameagari" (7"+CD)

Trauma techno-pop group Urbangarde has released a brand new 7th album earlier this month, "Showa 90nen" ("Year Showa 90"), which came 1½ year after the previous "utsukushii kuni". Check out the videos below and hear more samples at Amazon.

The limited edition comes with a DVD of 4 music video clips plus 10 songs from a live show held last June 20 at Shinjuku ReNY, for a total of 14 songs.

A Japan tour will be held in April 2016, with a finale at Shinjuku Blaze (Tokyo) on May 1st. Meanwhile they can be seen at other events such as one part of Shinjuku Loft's 40th anniversary series on January 10. Find out details on their official site.

Urbangarde "Shōwa 90nen"
アーバンギャルド 「昭和九十年」

1. kuchibiru Democracy (Lips Democracy)
2. Love Letter moyu (Burning Love Letter)
3. Coin Locker Babies
4. Shinjuku Mon Amour
5. shijin-gari (Poet Hunting)
6. hako-otoko ni kike (Listen To The Box Man)
7. Shōwa 90nen 12gatsu (December in Showa 90)
8. Icon aika (Icon Elegy)
9. Zombie Powder
10. Heisei shibō yūgi (Heisei Death Game)
11. All Doubt Nippon

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. kuchibiru Democracy ((PROPAGANDA VIDEO)
2. Love Letter moyu (PROPAGANDA VIDEO)
3. Coin Locker Babies (PROPAGANDA VIDEO)
4. Heisei shibō yūgi (PROPAGANDA VIDEO)
5. "Urbangarde 2015 haru o ure Spring Sale Tour" 6.20 Shinjuku ReNY (10 songs) (LIVE VIDEO)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Kadokawa FAMC-208
Out now (12/9), ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Kadokawa FAMC-209
Out now (12/9), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (World), (Japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kuchibiru Democracy"

"Love Letter moyu"

"Coin Locker Babies"

"Shinjuku Mon Amour"

"Heisei shibō yūgi"

De De Mouse has released this month a 5th album, follow-up to "sky was dark" (2012). This album features many acoustic instruments. Included is a download card that gives access to bonus remixes, to which one song is being added each month.

Upcoming shows include a release party to be held at the Tamarokuto Science Center Planetarium on January 9 (details), and a one-man show at Ebisu Liquidroom on February 10 (details). A free in-store mini-live will also be held at Tower Records Shinjuku (7th floor) on Sunday January 10 from 15:00 (details).

DE DE MOUSE "farewell holiday!"

1. friday comers
2. nice avalanche
3. farewell holiday!
4. a thousand better things
5. thursday waltz
6. bedtime flight
7. a dozen raindrops
8. play tag
9. finally evening
10. wooden horse rendezvous
11. bloomy chorus

not records NOT-0011
Out now (12/2), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, Tower Records ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"friday comers"

Album spot

Wacky girl unit Baku Baku Dokin has a brand new winter track out now on iTunes worldwide! Check out the video below.

The duo can next be seen live on Friday January 8 at an all-night festival event at Daikanyama Unit/Saloon/Unice. Details here.

Baku Baku Dokin "swingin'" (Download)
バクバクドキン 「swingin'」

sube no ana
Out now (12/23)
Sample/buy:

Learners is the newest band of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico Five), together fronted by model/singer Sara Mary (half-American half-Japanese). Following the release of three 7" singles, here comes their first full-length album, consisting of mainly covers. They have a rock'n'roll sound that takes inspiration from music from the 50's to 70's, all blended into a party sound.

All songs can be sampled at Amazon.

Learners "Learners"

1. Fools Fall In Love
2. Learners Yeah!!!
3. I Want You To Be My Baby
4. Da Doo Ron Ron
5. Teenage Kicks
6. Rhode Island Is Famous For You
7. (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave
8. You'Re Wondering Now
9. Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul
10. Shampoo Planet
11. He'S My One And Only Jimmy Boy
12. Rhode Island Is Famous For You feat. Eddi Reader
13. Goodnight Baby (Outro)

KiliKiliVilla KKV-022
Out now (12/16), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"I Want You To Be My Baby"

"Shampoo Planet"

Takanami Keitarō (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) has a brand new single coming this week! A-side "Walk Don't Run" is a duet featuring Hoshino Michiru, while B-side "Mind Excursion?" features Ichiba Mina of Playtime Rock. This comes as a set of both CD and 7" record.

Both songs can be heard at Jet Set.

Takanami Keitaro "Memorandum" (CD+7")
高浪慶太郎 「めもらんだむ」

7"
A. Walk Don't Run
B. Mind Excursion ~ kokoro no tabiji

CD
1. Walk Don't Run
2. Mind Excursion ~ kokoro no tabiji
3. Walk Don't Run (inst)
4. Mind Excursion ~ kokoro no tabiji (inst)

High Contrast HCCD-9568
Out 12/23, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Mind Excursion? kokoro no tabiji"

Rapper twins-fronted hip-hop band P.O.P (not to be confused with newcomer idol group POP...) has a 2nd album out now, follow-up to "tanoshii koto bakari arimasu yō ni." (2014)! The 15-song album features guests such as Nakatsuka Takeshi, BIKKE (Tokyo No.1 Soul Set), singer STAMP from Thailand, and many others. Expect a lot of fresh groovy and funky sounds, with a good dose of Shibuya-kei roots.

A special release live will be held on January 10 at Daikanyama Unit, together with a bunch of artists featured on the album (details). Meanwhile P.O.P can also be seen on December 31 at a countdown event at Shibuya Loop Annex (details).

P.O.P "okaasan ni kiite minai to wakaranai"
P.O.P 「おかあさんにきいてみないとわからない」

1. okaasan ni kiite minai to warakanai feat. BIKKE
2. Stand by me feat. Shiina Junpei
3. The Last Train feat. Baba Tomoya
4. byōdō ni WEEKEND feat. Cello a.k.a Massan
5. TOKYO JUNCTION feat. STAMP
6. BEER so good!
7. Like a stone
8. LANCATLGUE
9. hajimari no hi feat. Nakatsuka Takeshi
10. Yeah - feat. CHAN-MIKA
11. ie
12. ABC no kaigan de feat. Victoria&SKM (digda)
13. roji no Piano feat. Saitō Ryōji
14. Endless Christmas feat. Iwasaki Taisei
15. One Chance feat. Usui Miton

indahouse DQC-1508
Out now (12/2), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (Japan ^‡), Spotify
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"The Last Train feat. Baba Tomoya"

"Stand by me feat. Shiina Junpei"

"TOKYO JUNCTION feat. STAMP"

"roji no Piano feat. Saitō Ryōji"

"One Chance feat. Usui Miton"

"BEER so good!"

Album digest

comoestas, the solo unit of Comoesta Yaegashi (Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys), has a brand new 7" single out now! As hints title "Twist and Dodonpa", comoestas made two tunes of the two different styles, but of course in his unique groovy way that fans will recognize. "O Ed Twist" features Kyoto rock'n'roller Ban Hiroshi. This succeeds the "Dentaku / Soroban" single released in 2008.

The news comes a bit late because online shops were all sold out for some time, but Amazon Japan now has limited stock. Get yours while it's time!

Comoesta has been DJing regularly lately, and has several gigs this month. I recommend DJ Fukutake's "YVKY Style vol.3" on December 27 at Shibuya Dimension from 17:00 until 23:00. Find his latest DJ schedule here (at time of writing).

comoestas "Twist and Dodonpa" (7")
comoestas 「ツイスト・アンド・ドドンパ」

A. O Ed Twist
B. Don Don Dodonpa

Unchantable Records UCT-019
Out now (11/11), ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

"O Ed Twist"

"Don Don Dodonpa"