Tokyo's Coolest Sound

ammakasie noka is a unit featuring songwriter Mayutan. This new album has a conceptual story of two twin sisters in a deep forest, the elder is a ghost and the younger one who became a witch. The music is made of a voice ensemble and sounds from field recordings in a forest using a binaural mic. One song (track 10) features French toy instrument unit Klimperei. The volume is very low to create a unique atmosphere that takes inspiration from minimal music, nursery rhymes, religious chants, etc.

ammakasie noka can be seen live on Saturday February 9 from 15:00 at Ikkyoan in Nishi-Ogikubo (Address: 2-8-22 Shoan, Suginami-ku, Tokyo). Duo Shiroi Ribbon will also perform. The charge is ¥3000.

ammakasie noka "Little Ghost House"
アマカシノカ 「LITTLE GHOST HOUSE」

1. I'm waiting
2. Join the forest
3. We all watch over her
4. Poltergeist Polka
5. It's my small wish
6. I felt you
7. Whitchis Whith
8. Black obsidian day
9. Tap your Feet
10. Black witch curry
11. I'm going home

Novel Cell Poem NCP-41
Out now (1/30), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Mint-Lee noka is the latest unit of Mayutan (of toy-pop unit ammakasie noka), Okamura Midori (aka Mint-Lee) and toy instrument percussionist Sayu Candy. Their first release comes as a stunningly beautiful 7" picture disc, of which the concept is "plush toys are up at night and they've started a band"! These songs tell about the toys' secret life.

Mint-Lee noka "bokura wa zutto ikiteiru / haenuki yorinuki ongakutai" (Picture 7")
ミントリノカ 「僕らはずっと生きている／はえぬきよりぬき音楽隊」

A. bokura wa zutto ikiteiru
B. haenuki yorinuki ongakutai

Novel Cell Poem NCP-40
Out 1/30, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Teaser of a pre-release event held before Christmas 2018

Natsuki Mari has a new EP now available digitally. Both of the songs have music written by Ōsawa Shinichi (Mondo Grosso), with lyrics written by Yanaka Atsushi (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra) and UA respectively. A live sound arrangement of "Co-ro-na" is also included. Check out the video below!

Natsuki Mari "Co・ro・na / watashi o ikite" (Download)
夏木マリ 「Co・ro・na / 私を生きて」

1. Co・ro・na
2. watashi o ikite
3. Co・ro・na (Live Arrangement)

avex entertainment
Out 1/23
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

"Co・ro・na"

Despite that they were in hiatus, in 2016 Moonriders did a "hiatus hiatus" to thank their fans, and performed several times at festivals and also did a tour which ended on December 15, 2016 at Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo). This 2-CD live album of over 2 hours contains the entire show which featured all of their best songs since their Hachimitsu Pie roots until the present.

This year is the 40th anniversary of Moonriders.

Moonriders "moonriders Final Banquet 2016 ~ saigo no kyōen ~" (2CD)
ムーンライダーズ 「moonriders Final Banquet 2016 〜最後の饗宴〜」

Disc 1
1. Mania no junan
2. hana saku otome yo ana o hore
3. K no Trunk
4. muhōbi toshi
5. Alphaville
6. Video Boy
7. Interior
8. mizu no naka no Knife
9. inu ni Interview
10. aozora no Marie
11. eki wa ima, asa no naka
12. Shizuoka

Disc 2
1. Modern Lovers
2. A FROZEN GIRL,A BOY IN LOVE
3. Mt.Kx
4. Cool Dynamo,Right on
5. tonpikurenkko
6. yahho- yahho- nanmaida
7. BEATITUDE
8. Scarlet no chikai
9. DON'T TRUST ANYONE OVER 30
10. sayonara wa yoake no yume ni (Encore)
11. kurenai futō (Encore)

moonriders RecordS XQCG1906
Out 1/23, ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"ii jikan" is a song that first appeared on Evisbeats' 2nd album in 2012 (titled "hitotsu ni naru toki"). The song was co-written by Kamoda Jun (Twitter) (aka Illreme, of (((sssurrounddd)))), and here it is being released by himself as a 12" single featuring vocals by Yano Akiko! The song was arranged by Satō Yusuke (Twitter) (of caméra-stylo) and mixed by Illicit Tsuboi. The EP also contains 3 remixes, by Lawrence Le Doux, Clap! Clap! and Kamoda Jun himself.

The original by Evisbeats can be heard here.

Kamoda Jun featuring Yano Akiko "ii jikan" (12")
鴨田潤 featuring 矢野顕子 「いい時間」

A1. ii jikan
A2. ii jikan (Lawrence Le Doux Remix)
B1. ii jikan (Jun Kamoda Remix)
B2. ii jikan (Clap! Clap! Remix)

Kakubarhythm KAKU-092
Out 1/23, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Following the release of "Pajama Party / Sharp Pencil feat. Sushiboys" last month, here comes another single from rap idol group lyrical school. A-side "Tokyo Burning" was written and produced by PES (Rip Slyme), and B-side "Cookin'" features hip-hop artist Young Hastle.

lyrical school's next show in Tokyo will be held on January 26 from 16:00 at Sound Museum Vision in Shibuya. The show will feature guests Young Hastle and Odd Foot Works. Tickets are on sale (Pia).

lyrical school "Tokyo Burning / Cookin' feat. Young Hastle" (7")

1. Tokyo Burning
2. Cookin' feat. Young Hastle
3. Tokyo Burning (Inst.)
4. Cookin' feat. Young Hastle (Inst.)

CD edition
BootRock BRTW-1063
Out 1/22, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

A. Tokyo Burning
B. Cookin' feat. Young Hastle

7" edition
BootRock BRTW-1067
Out 1/22, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Tokyo Burning"

"Cookin' feat. Young Hastle"

Controversial Spark (Facebook Page) is a band formed of Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders), Yabe Hiroshi (Musement), bassist Iwasaki Naomi, guitarist Kondō Kenji and vocalist konore. They have a 2nd album out just now, which follows mini-album "Angels of a Feather" (2015) and first album "Section One" (2014).

To hear what this sounds like, drop by iTunes Japan or Spotify.

They have a show titled "New Year Spark 2019" tomorrow Sunday January 13 at Shin-Daita Fever. Doors open at 17:30.

Controversial Spark "After Intermission"
コントロヴァーシャル・スパーク 「アフター・インターミッション」

1. Lifetime
2. aka to midori no Good-bye
3. adabana
4. yoru wa yurushite kurenai
5. Linear no akumu
6. bussō na kyūjitsu
7. dorobō tengoku
8. tori tsukareta onna
9. in July
10. sugoroku

P-Vine PCD-18860
Out now (1/11), ¥2778 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Philosophy no Dance (aka Dance for Philosophy) has a new single out now! "Love Variation" is a new collaboration with band Scoobie Do, with who they shared the stage of Tokyo Kinema Club last October. The double-A-sider single also contains new song "Heuristic City".

The single comes in 5 different editions: CD (regular 12cm), 8cm CD, 7" single in two different jackets (one of which is a collaboration with Scoobie Do), and cassette tape. In addition to those, the single is also available on iTunes Japan and Spotify.

Also released at the same time is a live DVD titled "Girls Are Back In Town vol.1. Live At Liquid Room", of a full show (19 songs) held in March 2018 backed by a live band. Find it at CDJapan, Amazon Japan, etc.

A full-length album is expected to be released on March 22.

Dance for Philosophy "Love Variation with Scoobie Do / Heuristic City"
フィロソフィーのダンス 「ラブ・バリエーション with SCOOBIE DO / ヒューリスティック・シティ」

1. Love Variation with Scoobie Do
2. Heuristic City
3. Love Variation with Scoobie Do (Minus One)
4. Heuristic City (Minus One)

CD edition (Regular 12cm CD)
Philosophy of the World UXCL-185
Out 12/14, ¥1112 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

8cm CD edition
Philosophy of the World UXCL-184
Out 12/14, ¥1020 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Dance for Philosophy "Love Variation with Scoobie Do / Heuristic City" (Cassette)

A1. Love Variation with Scoobie Do
A2. Heuristic City
B1. Love Variation with Scoobie Do (Minus One)
B2. Heuristic City (Minus One)

Cassette edition
Philosophy of the World UXCL-186
Out 12/14, ¥926 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Dance for Philosophy "Love Variation with Scoobie Do / Heuristic City" (7")

A. Love Variation with Scoobie Do (Mono Mix)
AA. Heuristic City

7" edition
Philosophy of the World UXCL-183
Out 12/14, ¥1575 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

7" edition (Scoobie Do collaboration jacket)
Philosophy of the World UXCL-188
Out 12/14, ¥1575 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Heuristic City"

"Love Variation with Scoobie Do" (Live at Tokyo Kinema Club)
(The release is a studio recording, different from this)

nimit & co. is the solo unit of Kunimi Tomoko (Twitter), trumpeter of Wack Wack Rhythm Band, and this is her very first release! This comes as a split cassette tape with band BANK whose two latest songs (released digitally in November) are included.

Side "n" has two songs by nimit & co.: bedroom pop tracks written, performed, produced and sung by Tomoko herself. Check out the very cool animated video for "Bask" below! "1000th Noon" also features Ōhashi Nobuyuki (aka Pate) on guitar. The two songs were mixed and mastered by Satō Seiki (microstar).

On side "b" are BANK's two latest songs: "Vivre" which has back vocals by Kunimi Tomoko and additional guitars by Ōhashi Nobuyuki, and "Number 3" which is a tribute to Bronx post-punk band ESG that uses their song titles in the lyrics and features guitarist Yamashita Hiroshi (Wack Wack Rhythm Band).

Orders can be made directly at Too Young Records who ship internationally (payments via PayPal). A download code is available on demand after purchase.

BANK can next be seen live on February 16 at Kichijoji Ichibee. sloppy joe (another band featuring Kunimi Tomoko) will also play as well as electro unit Satoshi & Makoto. Check out the Facebook event page.

nimit & co. / BANK split cassette single (Cassette)

n1. nimit & co. / Bask
n2. nimit & co. / 1000th Noon
b1. BANK / Vivre
b2. BANK / Number 3

Too Young Records TYG-CS2
Out now (12/15)
Order: Too Young Records

nimit & co. "Bask"

nimit & co. "1000th Noon" excerpt

BANK excerpts

Denki Groove will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! So here comes a new album called "30" which includes remakes of songs such as remakes of hit songs "Shangri-La", "Fujisan" and "Flashback Disco", as well as two anniversary songs, and much more for a total of 12 tracks. Check out the new video for "ichigo musume wa hitorikko" below.

The album features guests including Machi Akari (vocals on "Denki Groove 30shunen no uta"), Tomita Shiori (vocals on "ichigo musume wa hitorikko"), Licaxxx (chorus on "Slow Motion (30th Mix)"), Ushio Kensuke (agraph) and guitarist Yoshida Satoshi.

A limited edition said to come with some extra goodies(?) will also be released at the same time, though details haven't yet been announced.

A tour will be held in March, to finish with two dates at Zepp Tokyo on March 15 and 16.

Denki Groove "30"
電気グルーヴ　「30」

1. Denki Groove 10shūnen no uta 2019
2. Shangri-La feat. Inga Humpe
3. ichigo musume wa hitorikko
4. Flight to Shang-Hai (It's a such a super flight)
5. Slow Motion (30th Mix)
6. Denki Groove 30shūnen no uta
7. Fujisan (Techno Disco Fujisan)
8. Flashback Disco (is Back!)
9. WIRE WIRED, WIRELESS
10. umineko natsu Caty Summer Harbour
11. kibi_1117KIBI
12. ichigo musume (hitorikko denai)

Limited edition (CD + goodies?)
Ki/oon KSCL-3130
Out 1/23, ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition (CD only)
Ki/oon Music Inc. KSCL-3132
Out 1/23, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"ichigo musume wa hitorikko (Video Edit)"

Digest mix by DJ Tasaka

Orangeade is a trio unit of Satō Nozomu (aka M. Lemon, of caméra-stylo, Fujin Club, Madame Croissant), Kurosawa Yōsuke (Portraits) and Osawa Kentarō (aka Kitasono Minami). This mini-album is their first official CD release. They make beautiful clity pop-like music with unexpected, sometimes surprising twists. I love it!

While there seems to be no audio sample online at time of writing, you could dig around their Twitter accounts for hints of what to expect. Or just go for the unknown. :)

Orangeade "Broccoli is Here"

1. Wash the dirty pigeons
2. Miroir D'eau
3. Over Again
4. Last Waltz
5. Anthropology

Orangeade NCS-10211
Out now (12/26), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

lyrical school has a brand new single out now on CD and 7". The A-side was co-produced by Ōkubo Junya of band Ana. B-side "Sharp Pencil" features SUSHIBOYS. Check out videos for both songs below,.

Another new single is planned for release on January 22.

lyrical school's next show in Tokyo will be held on January 26 from 16:00 at Sound Museum Vision in Shibuya. Tickets are on sale (Pia).

lyrical school "Pajama Party / Sharp Pencil feat. SUSHIBOYS"
lyrical school 「パジャマパーティー / シャープペンシル feat. SUSHIBOYS」

1. Pajama Party
2. Sharp Pencil feat. SUSHIBOYS
3. Pajama Party (Inst.)
4. Sharp Pencil feat. SUSHIBOYS (Inst.)

CD edition
BootRock BRTW-1062
Out now (12/25), ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

A. Pajama Party
B. Sharp Pencil feat. SUSHIBOYS

7" edition
BootRock BRTW-1066
Out now (12/25), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Pajama Party"

"Sharp Pencil feat. SUSHIBOYS"

A 7" cut from Chikada Haruo's recent solo vocal album "chō jōdan dakara". Included are title track "chō jōdan dakara", which features singer Himeno Tama, and disco-kayō track "konya mo tenteten".

Check out the video below, and hear a sample of the B-side at Jet Set.

Chikada Haruo "chō jōdan dakara / konya mo tenteten"
近田春夫 「超冗談だから / 今夜もテンテテン」

A. chō jōdan dakara
B. konya mo tenteten

Victor/Jet Set JS7S230
Out now (12/26), ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"chō jōdan dakara"

Way Wave, the funky duo formed of soulful-voiced sisters Anna and Yuna, has released a first album just recently! The producers are Seki Yoshihiko, Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) and Lainy J Groove, and featured musicians include Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme), ayU tokyO, Kitayama Yūko (misola) on drums, Iga Wataru on bass, Yamanouchi Toshio on guitars, and more.

"Summer Girl" and "Lovin' You" were also released on 7" last June.

Free in-store events will be held on January 5 from 12:00 at Tower Records Shinjuku (7F) and on January 13 from 13:00 at Tower Records Shibuya (4F). Also they will also appear at event "Sunday Girls season 2 ep.4" on January 12 at Jinbōchō Shichōshitsu, along with Mia Nascimento, Himeno Tama and many more. Check out their official site for their full schedule.

WAY WAVE "Show Time"

1. hajimari no yokan
2. Summer Girl
3. mitsubachi Panty Line
4. monokuro no kimi
5. B-kyū onna
6. Half Moon
7. interlude ~ Show Time
8. odorenai kedo odoritai no (zukunasi cover) (Bonus track)
9. Lovin' You (Minnie Riperton cover) (Bonus track)

P-Vine PCD-18859
Out now (12/19), ¥1852 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sampler clip

"mitsubachi Panty Line"

"Half Moon"

"hajimari no yokan"

"Summer Girl"

"Lovin' You"

"B-kyū onna"

"monokuro no kimi"