Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Naive Super, the solo unit of Yushi Ibuki (keyboardist of Pictured Resort), has just released a first 7" of two collaboration songs, featuring Maki Nomiya and sugar me! Both songs were released digitally earlier this year. The A-side features guitarist Sunao Hiwatari of Luby Sparks. The artwork cover model is Raimu Taya.

Naive Super "Memories Of Moonage Nightlife feat. Maki Nomiya" (7")

A. Memories Of Moonage Nightlife feat. Maki Nomiya
B. Keep Mine No Hidden feat. sugar me

Space Shower Music TBV-0004
Out now (10/31), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Memories Of Moonage Nightlife feat. Maki Nomiya"

"Keep Mine No Hidden feat. sugar me"

Childish Tones (Twitter) has just released a full-length album, titled "God Bless the Girls", and it's the first featuring singer Beni Usakura (Twitter, Instagram)! Following the early-bird cassette edition released for Cassette Store Day, here it comes on CD and limited 10" vinyl! The band uses nothing but toy instruments to play rock'n'roll, mostly covers, in a unique way.

Included are all songs from their previous four 7" singles (covers of Nick Lowe, The La's, The Hipster Image, Annette, Jane Birkin, The Spiders, The Smiths and New York Dolls), all sung in Japanese, plus 4 brand new tracks including covers of Sonny and Cher ("The Beat Goes On", borrowing a phrase from Pizzicato Five's "Twiggy Twiggy"), Sylvain Sylvain, and some originals. Konishi Yasuharu has acclaimed the album saying he felt like having found a cousin of Pizzicato Five who grew up without ever having met before.

The 10" edition is coming a week later and includes a download code.

CHILDISH TONES feat. Beni Usakura "God Bless the Girls" (CD)
CHILDISH TONES feat. 宇佐蔵べに 「God Bless the Girls」

1. God Bless the Girls
2. Cruel To Be Kind
3. There She Goes
4. The Girl in Blue
5. Make Her Mine
6. THE BEAT GOES ON (TWIGGY BOOGIE)
7. Nati Bati Yi
8. CHILDISH STOMP
9. Pajama Party
10. TEENAGE NEWS
11. ASK
12. Ex Fan Des Sixties

KiliKiliVilla KKV-107
Out 10/28, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

CHILDISH TONES feat. Beni Usakura "God Bless the Girls" (10"+Download code)
CHILDISH TONES feat. 宇佐蔵べに 「God Bless the Girls」

A1. God Bless the Girls
A2. Cruel To Be Kind
A3. Pajama Party
A4. CHILDISH STOMP
A5. TEENAGE NEWS
A6. ASK
B1. There She Goes
B2. The Girl in Blue
B3. Make Her Mine
B4. THE BEAT GOES ON (TWIGGY BOOGIE)
B4. Nati Bati Yi
B6. Ex Fan Des Sixties

KiliKiliVilla KKV-107VL
Out 11/4, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Teaser clip

"God Bless the Girls"

"Ask"

"Ex Fan Des Sixties"

"Make Her Mine"

"There She Goes"

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. If you couldn't tune in at the times below, or to listen once more, you can still listen anytime on Mixcloud.

Autumn seems to make me want to hear calm music a bit more than usual. That's what inspired me this time to put songs that feel somewhat soothing to me. There will be a few beats along this journey too. Sit back and enjoy!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.10) aired at http://lafaceb.live on October 28, 2020 from 22:00 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: October 29, 2020 from 11:00 (a.m.).

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. Three Berry Icecream "Just A Dream" (2000)

Three Berry Icecream (Twitter) is the solo unit of Mayumi Ikemizu, who used to be a member of Shibuya-kei band Bridge. Having debuted as Three Berry Icecream just over 20 years ago, she will be releasing a first-ever vinyl LP of a selection of her best songs, titled "The Selection of Three Berry Icecream". The album will include this song, "Just A Dream", which was first released on various artists compilation "Wish, Walk And Peel" in 2000 (Minty Fresh Japan), as well as many favorites from her repertory. The new LP is available from label and record shop Disques Blue-very which ships internationally (also available via Bandcamp, vinyl or digital).

"Just A Dream" was also included on Three Berry Icecream's retrospective album "Sunshine on my mind 1998-2018" (2018)'s CD edition only (Amazon). You can check out the more compact digital edition: "Sunshine on my mind 1998-2018 -15 Songs Selection-" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

2. Michiru Hoshino "I Love You" (2019)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる 「月がきれいですね」 "tsuki ga kirei desune")

"I Love You" is from Hoshino Michiru's latest album "Moonlight Confessions" (Japanese title: "tsuki ga kirei desune") (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song's title and album title are in Japanese both the same, it's an old saying that literally translates to "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?" but was suggested as a poetic way to say "I love you".

Michiru just recently announced that she would pause from her musical career momentarily, because of the pandemic situation which makes it difficult to perform live in front of her fans, something that she feels necessary. Before that break, she will be performing live one more time, viewable online only, on November 15 (and archived for one week). Details can be found here (in Japanese, via platform Streaming+).

Michiru's 4th solo album "12 signs of the zodiac" (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV) will be released on vinyl for Record Day 2020 on November 3. The LP can be pre-ordered at Jet Set, Amazon and HMV.

3. Maika Loubté "Niet II (piano live)" (2020)

Singer-songwriter and keyboard wiz Maika Loubté released the song "Niet II (piano live)" on Bandcamp just recently in June, in support for the Black Lives Matter movement (even giving profits to related NPOs).

The original version of "Niet II", a collaboration with rapper maco marets, was released in March digitally, and then on 7" (still available via HMV). A yet earlier version called just "Niet" appeared on latest album "Closer" (2019) (Bandcamp, Spotify, ). "Closer" was released on clear vinyl via Toothpaste Records in March.

Maika has a brand new song titled "Show Me How" just released digitally on October 28 (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music)! The song was featured in a TV commercial for the Mazda MX-30, starring Maika herself! Watch it here.

4. dip in the pool "Northern Lights" (2015)

This song is from dip in the pool's latest album "Highwire Walker" (2015, Spotify, , YouTube Music). With a beautiful and soothing sound, "Highwire Walker" also contains a song in collaboration with Canadian musician CFCF (aka Michael Silver), who recently also participated in latest single "Colour of life" (2020, Bandcamp, Spotify, ).

Since last month, several of dip in the pool's older Warner-era releases were made available on streaming services! Find them here: Spotify, , YouTube Music.

In July this year, dip in the pool performed three online live shows in three time zones in one day, calling it the "Around the World in a Day" tour. Watch a performance from it below!

5. dahlia "neko o sagashite" (2017)
(Japanese title: 「猫を探して」)

This song, of which the title roughly translates to "searching for the cat", is from dahlia's latest album "Mirror" () which was sound produced by Groove Unchant. The song was written by dahlia herself.

For more of dahlia, check out her official YouTube channel, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

6. Kaede "Morning Call" (2020)

Kaede is a member of idol trio Negicco, based in the prefecture of Niigata and active since 2003. Having started singing solo in 2017, last year she released a first mini-album, "shinya. anata wa kyou o furikaeri, mata atarashii asa dane." (2019, Spotify), that was followed by a full-length album on New Year's Day 2020, "ima no watashi wa kawaritsuzukete ano koro no watashi de irareteru." (2020, Spotify, ).

This song is from latest mini-album "Stardust in Blue" (2020, Spotify, ) released just last month.

Kaede will do a free acoustic live performance of about an hour on November 15 from 19:30 (JST). Find details in Tokyo's Coolest Sound's live streaming information. Negicco also have a show backed by a full band upcoming on November 7 (details here).

7. Lullatone "Bonjour melancholy" (2020)

Always a favorite when it comes to finding sounds to take a deep breath to, Lullatone is a Nagoya-based duo formed of Shawn and Yoshimi. In the recent months, right in the middle of the pandemic, they found inspiration to make this 4-song EP titled "Houseplant Music" (Bandcamp), from which "Bonjour melancholy" is taken.

In terms of other recent works, Lullatone has released an album of 2 CDs worth of piano self-covers (52 of them!), titled "Music for Museum Gift Shops" (2019, Bandcamp, Spotify, ). Also check out their official YouTube channel for regular updates of lots of fun clips.

8. World Standard "World Standard" (2020)
(Japanese title: ワールドスタンダード 「世界の標準」 "sekai no hyōjun")

World Standard has been around for 35 years, having debuted on Hosono Haruomi's Non-Standard label in 1985. 10 years since previous full-length album "Silencio", a brand new album titled "Shikisai Ongaku" is set to be released on November 28. In this album, musician Suzuki Sōichirō sings the songs by himself. The song "World Standard" is a special preview from this new album.

World Standard has also just released a LP titled "Asagao", which consists of a remastered early cassette demo recorded before World Standard's official debut. It can be ordered directly from pianola records (Tokyo) or Far Side Music (UK).

9. mmm with Emerson Kitamura "Geshi" (2019)
(Japanese title: mmm with エマーソン北村 「夏至」)

Emerson Kitamura is a keyboard and organ player who has roots in the dub scene, having played in legendary dub band Mute Beat. Since a few years he has been teaming up with singer mmm (read "me/my/mo") and the two even toured Europe last year (Germany, UK and Belgium). This song, "Geshi", is from their first album "Chasing Giants" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Also check out Emerson's previous solo albums "Rock'n Roll No Hajimari Ha" (2016, Spotify, ) and "Ochi Kochi Ni" (2014, ).

10. Vacation Three "Blue Submarine" (2018)

This one is from the first album of Vacation Three, titled "One" (Bandcamp, Spotify, ). The trio is formed of singer/guitarist Nakamura Dai (aka NUBACK, also of BANK, ex-Arch), saxophonist Nakamoto Kōichirō and percussionist Okyon (both member of Wack Wack Rhythm Band).

Also check out NUBACK's recently released digital EP, "Still Life" (2020, Bandcamp, Spotify, ).

11. Blue Peppers "samidare Diary" (2017)
(Japanese title: 「さみだれダイアリー」)

Blue Peppers is a duo of two songwriters who make songs with a city pop touch. "samidare Diary" appears on their first album "Retroactive" (Spotify, (Japan), YouTube Music).

Their latest release is an EP of two songs, titled "Believe in Love" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), available on vinyl and digitally.

12. Naka Tomizawa "yoru no kūki" (2020)
(Japanese title: 「夜の空気」)

Electro exotic dub artist Naka Tomizawa (aka King of Opus) (Twitter) released in August a first album under his own name. It's titled "2020 GW" and consists of ambiant guitar sounds with dub effects and hints of TB-303. The song "yoru no kūki" is taken from this album. Enjoy these soothing guitar sounds, and check out his SoundCloud for more.

13. sugar me "Sunday Mooning Birds" (2020)

Singer-songwriter sugar me (aka Ayumi Teraoka) has just released a brand new album earlier this month, titled "Wild Flowers" (Spotify, ), ranging from intimate-sounding home recordings to jazzy pop tunes.

In the recent months, sugar me has been posting many solo acoustic performances under the theme "Spot Light Sessions" on Instagram.

14. Monari Wakita "inori no kotoba" (2017)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり 「祈りの言葉」)

Monari Wakita, an ex-member of idol group Especia, has now been active as a solo singer for 4 years. This song is from her first solo album "I am ONLY" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and it was written and arranged by Hase Yasuhiro (of Yume to Cosme).

Last month Monari held a live streaming show for her 4th anniversary, in which she sang a new song that was yet untitled, shere should hopefully be more to come soon! Meanwhile her latest is a cover of Original Love's "seppun" that was posted on YouTube as a remote session with producer Arai Toshiya (of COUNTJOKE).

Thanks for tuning in!

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen directly and follow on Mixcloud.

Below are videos of songs and artists featured in this radio show.

Three Berry Icecream "the world begins to move again" (Live in Seoul)

Michiru Hoshino "Umbrella Waltz"

Maika Loubté "Ride My Bike"

dip in the pool "II Columns" (from "Around the World in a Day with Akiko Nakayama")

dahlia "ai wa doko da" lyric video

Kaede "Jupiter"

Lullatone "Bonjour melancholy" lyric video

World Standard "chiisana inori (Living Room Session)"

mmm with Emerson Kitamura "Chasing Giants" live

Vacation Three "Blue Submarine"

Blue Peppers "Retroactive" album sampler clip

Naka Tomizawa "sakimori" & "yoru no kūki" sampler clip

sugar me "Follow the Rainbow"

Wakita "seppun (Original Love cover)"

Maika Loubté has a brand new song out today digitally! "Show Me How" is currently being used in a TV commercial for the Mazda MX-30, which even shows Maika driving the new car! Watch it below. She can also be found on this special site.

The song is available on Maika's Bandcamp — where the lyrics can be found too — as well as on various download/subscription platforms.

This follows the song "Ride My Bike" released in June, and also a collaboration track with plantar titled "Moon Flower" that was released at the end of September.

Maika Loubté "Show Me How" (Download)

Water Records
Out now (10/28)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music

Mazda MX-30 TV commercial

World Standard, the solo unit of Suzuki Sōichirō that debuted 35 years ago on Hosono Haruomi's label Non-Standard, is releasing a brand new 12th album! Not only had it been 10 years since his previous full-length — "Silencio" (2010, Amazon, HMV) — this is also said to be his first vocal album ever. While production started in fall 2019, the world then turned into this pandemic situation which led the artist to want to sing. The song "Stella" is a cover of Sketch Show.

Album review:
Having found its shape as a vocal album in consequence of these troubled times, listening to it made me realize how a voice can especially feel most comforting. It feels good listening to "Shikisai Ongaku" on a gentle morning with sun rays peeking in, and it's an album I'll also want to go back to as the seasons take their course.

The CD album comes packaged with a 40-page booklet of B4 size which contains illustrations by graphic designer Yokoyama Yū, taking inspiration from the songs, along with text by the musician.

Also, just last month, World Standard has released a LP titled "Asagao", which is a remaster of an early cassette demo recorded before World Standard's official debut. You can read more about it and also order at pianola records (Shimokitazawa, Tokyo) or Far Side Music (UK).

World Standard "Shikisai Ongaku"
ワールドスタンダード 「色彩音楽」

1. monogatari no tobira
2. World Standard (Japanese title: sekai no hyōjun)
3. tsuki wa amaku nigaku
4. Lumia
5. A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
6. shikisai ongaku
7. yume no tsukikage
8. Lazio no hanax
9. Stella
10. saihate
11. tōi koe tōi heya

Stella SLIP-8509
Out 11/28, ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, Far Side Music (UK)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Promo short movie

"World Standard"

"shikisai ongaku"

This Saturday October 24 is Record Store Day's third and last "RSD Drops Day", which this year gave a chance buying the exclusive items online on the day of release in addition to physical shops. Online sales will start from 13:00. Below are four recommendations, out of the eleven planned releases.

Also see our lists for the first (August 29) and second (September 26) days. The full list can be found on the official site. There will also be a Record Store Day Black Friday this year on November 29, but no word yet about releases from Japan.

Also check out the worldwide Record Store Day site for the list of international releases.

ELEKIBASS "Tiger on the freeway" (12"+Download code)

This new LP from ELEKIBASS consists of new songs on side A, and remasters from album "Paint it Black" on side B. Three of the new songs were written by Robert Schneider (of The Apples In Stereo), and a new cover of NRBQ is included too. The vinyl comes with a download code.

A1. TIGER
A2. Que sera sera
A3. Something
A4. YES YES(IT'S YOUR FAVORITE WORD)
A5. Mouthwaterin'
A6. (I'll see you) in my dream tonight
B1. Narration1
B2. Joy Of a Toy Season2
B3. You Make Me Up My Mind
B4. Narration2
B5. Bell Lends Me Toy And I Become Speedking And Regret-ver2
B6. Narration3
B7. Joy Of a Toy Season3
B8. Kimigakureta Koinomiti (remix by hikaru from cafelon)

Waikiki Records WAKRD078
Out 10/24, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

bjons "dakishimeraretai" (7")
bjons 「抱きしめられたい」

3-piece band bjons will have a 2nd album released soon. This 7" contains two songs from that album, which is said to have a "folky soul" sound. Both were recently released digitally.

A. dakishimeraretai
B. Follow You

Narisu Records NRSP-775
Out 10/24, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

SAKA-SAMA "soramimi kamo shirenai" (7")
SAKA-SAMA 「空耳かもしれない」

2 songs from SAKA-SAMA's CD of the same title released last year. "soramimi kamo shirenai" was written by Imaizumi Yūki of bjons, and B-side "oyasumi Judy" by Daisuke Adachi of Kyoto psychedelic dream-pop unit Emerald Four.

A. soramimi kamo shirenai
B. oyasumi Judy

Trash-Up!! Records/Narisu Records TRNS-708
Out 10/24, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

marble≠marble "SHOOTING STAR" (7")

marble≠marble is a retro-future idol, solo project of designer Tnaka. This is her first 7" which contains brand new song "SHOOTING STAR" and for B-side a remix of "Computown" by label-mate Emiri Kanou.

A. SHOOTING STAR
B. Computown -Kanou Emiri remix-

Narisu Records NRSP-776
Out 10/24, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

ELEKIBASS "Tiger on the freeway" trailer clip

bjons "dakishimeraretai"

bjons "Follow You"

SAKA-SAMA "soramimi kamo shirenai" (Live performance)

SAKA-SAMA "oyasumi Judy"

marble≠marble "SHOOTING STAR"

Crazy Ken Band has just released a brand new album titled "NOW"! I believe it's their 20th album! Included are a great bunch of brand new songs, as well as renewed versions of songs from the recent "Ivory ep".

CDJapan and HMV give away a poster, and Amazon a large sized print of the jacket, while supplies last.

Crazy Ken Band will do a show at Nippon Budokan on October 30 from 19:00 (JST), and it can be watched online! Find details and a countdown clock here. The show's archive will be viewable until November 2.

Crazy Ken Band "NOW"
クレイジーケンバンド 「NOW」

1. Samurai Borsalino
2. Yokosuka bojō
3. Eye Catch * kinō no tsuzuki
4. Ivory * LP shiyō
5. dakara itta desho * LP shiyō
6. 9gatsu 21nichi
7. kōyō
8. tsukiyo no Stella
9. ai ga aru nara toshi no sa nante
10. Kadomatsu Remastering
11. yume no yume Remastering
12. Eye Catch * yume no tsuzuki
13. Hot Cha
14. tenpure dori no Irene
15. Sss
16. Now
17. Eye Catch * kinō, kyō, ashita
18. Hello, Old New World

Universal Music UMCK-1673
Out now (10/21), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, OTOTOY, Amazon MP3 Japan
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Album sampler clip

"ai ga aru nara toshi no sa nante"

Natsu Summer has a new 7" about to be released, of two songs from latest album "Hayama Nights"! A-side "ano koro, Poolside de" is a collaboration with Saigenji, and the B-side is a cover of Miyazawa Rie.

Natsu Summer will do a guest appearance in a show by famous keyboardist Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi (Flying Mimi Band) on November 20 at Meguro Blues Alley Japan. The show can be watched online via Streaming+ (though the platform is in Japanese only).

Natsu Summer "ano koro, Poolside de / kokoro kara suki" (7")
ナツ・サマー 「あの頃、プールサイドで / 心から好き」

A. ano koro, Poolside de
B. kokoro kara suki

P-Vine Records P76260
Out 10/21, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"ano koro, Poolside de"

"kokoro kara suki"

Tokyo Beethoven (Twitter, Instagram), the project of Tanaka Tomoyuki (FPM) with art director Chihara Tetsuya (of design agency Lemonlife), has a new single out now digitally! This time the featured singer is Chiharu Mutō (ex-E-girls, ex-Flower, now navigator of radio show "Shibuya Design" on J-Wave). The music was composed in collaboration with Nakamura Hiroshi (i-dep), and the lyrics written by Yanaka Atsushi (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra).

Tokyo Beethoven feat. Chiharu Muto "yureteta buranko" (Download)
トーキョーベートーヴェン feat. 武藤千春 「揺れてたブランコ」

Kiss,Tokyo Records / Never Ever Recordings
Out now (10/17)
Sample/buy: Spotify, , YouTube Music, Amazon MP3 Japan, OTOTOY

Today is a rainy Cassette Store Day in Tokyo. Luckily the items are available online too, at a few of the participating shops at least!

Here are just a few picks that Tokyo's Coolest Sound readers might not want to miss noticing: an early release of Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura's new album, and two recent releases by LEARNERS (one with rare bonus tracks!). You can also find the full list here.

Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura "God Bless the Girls" (Cassette+Download card)
CHILDISH TONES feat. 宇佐蔵べに 「God Bless the Girls」

This is the first full album by Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura, following the release of several 7" singles, most of which sold out quickly. All of those songs are included in the album, plus several more, such as a cover of Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On" using a sample from Pizzicato Five's "Twiggy Twiggy"! A download card is included.

The album will be released on 10" and CD on October 26, but this cassette tape comes first!

A1. Cruel To Be Kind
A2. There She Goes
A3. The Girl in Blue
A4. Make Her Mine
A5. THE BEAT GOES ON (TWIGGY BOOGIE)
A6. Nati Bati Yi
B1. God Bless the Girls
B2. CHILDISH STOMP
B3. Pajama Party
B4. TEENAGE NEWS
B5. ASK
B6. Ex Fan Des Sixties

KiliKiliVilla KKV-107CA
Out now (10/17), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

LEARNERS "Hello Stranger" (Cassette+Download card)

3rd and latest album "Hello Stranger" (2020). Includes a download card.

A1. Chambre no koi
A2. tsukikake
A3. LOOKIN' OUT MY BACK DOOR
A4. ALWAYS ON MY MIND
B1. WIPER BLUES
B2. GET HAPPY
B3. RIDING HIGH
B4. STRONG ENOUGH

KiliKiliVilla KKV-097CA
Out now (10/17), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

LEARNERS "LEARNERS HIGH" (Cassette+Download card)

Mini album "Learners High" (2018) plus two added bonus tracks from a now rare 2016 Christmas 7" single: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Hot Club of Christ" (Aztec Camera cover). Includes a download card.

A1. CASSIS OOLONG
A2. TAKE A TRIP
A3. WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
A4. I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANT CLAUS
B1. MOI JE JOUE
B2. MIRROR MAN feat. Kaji Hideki
B3. ALLELUJAH
B4. HOT CLUB OF CHRIST

KiliKiliVilla KKV-065CA
Out now (10/17), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura "Good Bless the Girls" album teaser

LEARNERS "Strong Enough"

LEARNERS "Always On My Mind"

LEARNERS "Cassis Oolong"

Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune has just released two new songs digitally! It had been 5 years since his previous solo release, album "The Romantist" (2015, Amazon, HMV). Featured musicians are Suzuki Katsuto on bass, Kakizawa Ryūsuke on drums, with chorus sung by Hiyori of Machida Girls Choir.

Tetsurō has recently been heard playing piano on Pizzicato One's live album. He has also released two singles with unit DO NOTHING Productions — "senya ichiya / Sea Gull Song" (2019) and "Orange Soul / sukitte ieru kana?" (2020) — both available on 7" and digitally.

Also, his latest piano performance was in a show by singer Kirihara Yuri, an artist he has written songs for, which was just held last Monday. It's viewable online until October 26 for ¥2500 (details here). A cover of Nokko's "ningyo" from that show can be watched for free on YouTube.

Tetsuro Yafune "Optimist Winter / If You Want To Meet" (Download)
矢舟テツロー 「楽観主義者の冬／会いたくなったら」
(Japanese title: "rakkan shugisha no fuyu / aitakunattara"

1. Optimist Winter
2. If You Want To Meet

Crooners
Out now (10/15)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Ryusenkei (project of Cunimondo Takiguchi) and hitomitoi made the music for new NHK drama series "Talio" that just started last week. The plot is about a fired lawyer and a crook who join forces to help people take their revenge, of course with a touch of humor. Well, the show's music is all city pop style, and here comes its main theme sung by hitomitoi, now available on iTunes, Spotify, etc.

The band's musicians are drummer Kitayama Yūko, bassist Matsuki "Makkin" Toshirō, guitarist Yamanouchi Toshio, keyboardist Hirahata Tetsuya, percussionist Hirano Eiji, and keyboardist Shiina Akiko. Strings were arranged by Shin Rizumu.

The artwork was done by famous illustrator Hiroshi Nagai (Instagram) who made a cameo appearance in the first episode, haha! "Talio" can be seen on NHK G every Friday from 22:00, repeated on Tuesday late night from 25:20.

The full soundtrack album "Talio" will be released on November 11. Stay tuned!

Ryusenkei / hitomitoi "kanashii kurai Diamond" (Download)
流線形／一十三十一 「悲しいくらいダイヤモンド」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (10/14)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, Amazon MP3 Japan

Negicco's leader Nao is releasing a brand new mini-album this week! Included are songs written by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Neil and Iraiza), Chocolat & Akito, the band apart, and Lee HwangDae, and also one with lyrics written by Nao☆ herself. Check out the music video for "inuke! Midnight" below!

This release follows two singles, "Nanohana" (2018) and "Best☆Friend" (2020), which have just been released combined on one 12" record. Find details below.

To celebrate the release, an online live show with a full band will be held on Sunday October 18 from 17:00 (JST). Find details and a countdown clock here on Tokyo's Coolest Sound's Live streaming info.

Nao☆ "gift songs"

1. inuke! Midnight
2. himawari no uta
3. nantoka naru
4. yakusoku
5. koi o shitara Kitchen Table

T-Palette Records TPRC-0257
Out 10/13, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Nao☆ "Nanohana + Best☆Friend" (12")
Nao☆ 「菜の花＋ベスト☆フレンド」

A1. Nanohana
A2. Happy End o chōdai
B1. Best☆Friend
B2. rainy ~next season~

T-Palette Records TPRV-0052
Out now (10/6), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"inuke! Midnight"

Producer waiai (SoundCloud, has just released a new track featuring HALLCA, who also wrote the lyrics. The song, which can be heard on YouTube in the lyric video below, is available via Bandcamp and also on Spotify.

HALLCA has been doing weekly live streamings from home, which can be viewed on her YouTube channel. Normally held on Sundays, her next should be on October 11 from 21:00 (tune in here).

waiai "Palm & Radio feat. HALLCA" (Download)
waiai 「パーム＆ラジオ feat. HALLCA」

macaroni boy
Out now (10/7)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

Korean city pop producer Bronze (브론즈) has just released a brand new album titled "Aquarium". Featuring a variety of vocalists, one of the songs is sung by hitomitoi! The whole album also seems to have a great vibe, so be sure to check it out. The artwork is by famous city pop illustrator Nagai Hiroshi.

The album can be heard on download/streaming platforms, as well as in lyric videos on this YouTube playlist by label 8BallTown. There's also word that a vinyl release will follow.

Bronze "Aquarium" (Download)

1. Melody (with LUNA)
2. Submarine (with Hoody)
3. haru (with meenoi)
4. Ah-Ha (with BSK a.k.a. Kim Bum Soo)
5. Magnolia (with Jason Lee & Hookuo)
6. Mermaid (with zin)
7. Orange Road (with YUKIKA)
8. Pluto (with SFC.JGR & Hoody)
9. Waterfall (with hitomitoi)

8BallTown
Out now (10/9)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Waterfall (with hitomitoi)"
(Entire album playlist here)

Zoomgals is a recently formed collaboration unit of six girl rappers: Namichie, Marukido, ASOBOiSM, AKKOGORILLA, valknee and Haruko Tajima! They have just released a brand new track and music video, titled "Status Ailment Just Alive", of which the music is produced by CARREC.

This follows another track named "Zoom" (watch it on YouTube, and also find it on Spotify, , etc.).

Zoomgals "Status Ailment Just Alive" (Download)
Zoomgals 「生きてるだけで状態異常」
(Japanese title: "ikiteru dake de jōtai ijō")

Zoomgals
Out now (10/7)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Singer-songwriter sugar me is releasing a brand new album, her first original album since "Around the Corner" (2015) which had been followed by cover mini-album "6 femmes". Featured musicians include Horie Hirohisa (Neil & Iraiza) on keyboards, Kamiya Jumpei (Akai Kutsu, Ōhashi Trio) on drums, and also Hayashibe Tomonori (Plus-Tech Squeeze Box) who arranged "Follow the Rainbow", and French musician Orwell for the arrangements of "Land Of Tomorrow" and "Nancy". The album's songs are said to range from warm-sounding acousting home recordings to jazzy alternative pop.

The album will be released digitally on the same day, October 7.

In recent news, sugar me also just recently sang on a track by Naive Super, "Keep Mine No Hidden", which will be released on 7" at the end of October. She has also sung a charity song titled "Stay With Me" in collaboration with shingo endo, available on Bandcamp. In the recent months she has also been posting many solo acoustic performances titled "Spot Light Sessions" on Instagram.

sugar me "Wild Flowers"

1. Gift From The Sea
2. Land Of Tomorrow
3. Flower In Anger
4. Nancy
5. Follow The Rainbow
6. Sunday Mooning Birds
7. Black Sheep
8. About Love
9. First Snow (Interlude)
10. Woman
11. Table For Two
12. yoru wa yasashi

Wild Flowers Records WFRSM-10002
Out 10/7, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Flower In Anger"

"Follow The Rainbow"

Hiroshi Fujiwara (Instagram) is releasing a brand new album titled "slumbers 2", the follow-up to "slumbers" (2017) (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The new album, which is described as alternative city-pop, vaporwave and neo-soul, is sound produced by Watanabe Shunsuke (Schroeder-Headz) who had co-produced the previous. Check out the several teaser videos below which had been revealed in the recent months.

Aside from the regular edition of one CD, the album is also available as a Deluxe Edition (of 2,500) which includes a bonus disc of alternate versions (plus for bonus track the song "Harmony" that was used in a short film of the same name) and comes in special packaging.

Hiroshi Fujiwara has also recently done a remix for MANON's latest song, "World's End feat. dodo", which will be released on 7" at the end of October.

Hiroshi Fujiwara "slumbers 2"
藤原ヒロシ 「slumbers 2」

Disc 1
1. TIME MACHINE #2
2. KAREN
3. BERLIN
4. TERRITORY (SHORT)
5. minna dai suki minna aishiteru
6. SPRINGLIKE
7. WORK THROUGH THE NIGHT
8. MAI to PAUL
9. PASTORAL ANARCHY
10. Shin-Takarajima
11. KAREN (HOME DEMO) (Bonus track)

Disc 2 (Deluxe Edition only)
1. TIME MACHINE (INITIAL)
2. KAREN (MOLMOL DUB)
3. BERLIN (SF MIX)
4. TERRITORY (INITIAL)
5. minna dai suki minna aishiteru (MOLMOL DUB)
6. SPRINGLIKE (MOLMOL DUB)
7. WORK THROUGH THE NIGHT (INITIAL)
8. MAI to PAUL (INITIAL)
9. PASTORAL ANARCHY (INITIAL)
10. Shin-Takarajima (INITIAL)
11. HARMONY
12. TERRITORY (LONG)

Simple Edition (1 CD only)
Victor Entertainment VICL-65390
Out 10/7, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Deluxe Edition (2 CDs in special package)
Victor Entertainment VIZL-1778
Out 10/7, ¥9000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Territory"

"Springlike" (Short ver.)

"Pastoral Anarchy" (Short ver.)

"Time Machine" (Short ver.)

"Karen" (Short ver.)

"Mai to Paul" (Short ver.)

plantar is the brand new solo project of Nozomu Satō (aka M. Lemon, of caméra-stylo, Fujin Club, conte (previously Orangeade), Madame Croissant). His first release is a collaboration with Maika Loubté, and it's out digitally on French label Menace.

The song will also appear on label compilation "Menace '5'" to be released on vinyl in December. It can be preordered via Bandcamp or Bigwax.

plantar & Maika Loubté "Moon Flower" (Download)

Menace
Out now (9/29)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Stand Strong" is a skateboard-themed movie directed by Hisashi Kikuchi, known for his music video and TV commercial works, and written by pro-skateboarder Shin Okada. This song of the same name is the movie's theme song, and it features trackmaker/rapper Libro (SoundCloud), hip-hop unit Gaki Ranger's Pocyomkin, Scha Dara Parr's Bose, and reggae crew Fire Ball's Chozen Lee. It's out now on 7", including an exclusive instrumental version, and otherwise also on download/streaming platforms. Check out the music video below!

"Stand Strong feat. Libro, Pocyomkin, Bose & Chozen Lee" (7")
「STAND STRONG FEAT. LIBRO、ポチョムキン、BOSE & CHOZEN LEE」

A. Stand Strong feat. Libro, Pocyomkin, Bose & Chozen Lee
B. Stand Strong feat. Libro, Pocyomkin, Bose & Chozen Lee (Instrumental)

SPACE SHOWER MUSIC JS7S280
Out now (10/7), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Spotify, pocyomkin, Bose & CHOZEN LEE on Apple Music" style="border: 0px none;">
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Stand Strong feat. Libro, Pocyomkin, Bose & Chozen Lee"