Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Omodaka, the chiptune-meets-minyō solo project of Sōichi Terada, has just released a new EP of 4 songs! Included is title track "Dodarebachi" which was first released as part of the "Tenkai" Buddha machine, a project from Japan featuring songs by various artists and that sold out almost instantly. This EP follows the album "Gujoh Bushi" (2019).

In December, Omodaka did an online live show in a fantastic virtual set. The show titled "Synthetic Nature Live" can still be viewed on YouTube.

In other recent news, a track first released under the Sumo Jungle monicker in 1996 has been featured on vinyl EP compilation "Junglish Massive 2" out this month on Hong Kong label Klasse Wrecks. The vinyl can still be found at Juno (UK), Vinyl Underground (UK) and some others. It's also available digitally on the label's Bandcamp.

Omodaka "Dodarebachi" (Download)

1. Dodarebachi
2. Oedo Nihonbashi (2021 mix)
3. Gujoh Bushi (Quiet Version)
4. Owase Bushi

Far East Recordings
Out now (4/30)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Dodarebachi" trailer

Here comes the 4th of the monthly "Readymade mirai no ongaku" CD+Book series supervised by Konishi Yasuharu! The music selection this time is of songs he would be pleased to hear at a non-busy theater on a weekend day during the entr'acte of a double feature. As for the 60-page booklet, this time it contains text by himself, Yoshida Oto and Oba Junko, as well as love-themed movie recommendations by fellow cine-addicts.

Aside from the links below, in Japan the series can also be ordered directly via Merurido (home of Oldays Records) and Readymade Shopping.

"Readymade mirai no ongaku Series - CD Book hen 04 'renai ni akite shimatta'" (CD+Book)
「レディメイド未来の音楽シリーズ CDブック篇 04 『恋愛に倦きてしまった』」

(Artist / Title)
1. Larry Douglas / a new tomorrow
2. The Swingle Singers / largo
3. Chris Connor / it's not for me to say
4. Francis Lai / theme de Robert
5. Franck Pourcel / Laura
6. Jean Claudric et son orchestre / quel temps fait-il a paris?
7. Maurice Vander / never on Sunday
8. Martial Solal Trio / le beau Danube Blue
9. Jack Kerouak / American haikus
10. Jeanne Lee / Ran Blake / Laura
11. Dave Brubeck Trio / Laura
12. Isabelle Aubret / nous dormirons ensemble
13. Claude Nougaro / Saint Thomas
14. Raymond Le Senechal / O.S.T. / chateau en Suede / generique
15. Pierre Barouh / vivre
16. Anthony Perkins / l'automne a Paris
17. Les Double Six / early autumn
18. Nina & Frederik / pourquoi j'aime Paris
19. Don Byas Et Ses Rythmes / Laura

Oldays Records ODR7004
Out 4/30, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Previous releases:
#01 2021.01.29: "yoasobi ni tsukarete shimatta"
#02 2021.02.26: "neko mo shakushi mo Twist"
#03 2021.03.26: "watakushi no Saint-Germain-des-Prés"

Upcoming releases:
#05 2021.05.28: "nanimokamo akite shimatta"
#06 2021.11.26: "Christmas gō koyomi no ue de wa Mirai no ongaku"

Rapper Otagiri has released an instrumental edition of new album "The Radiant". All tracks are produced in collaboration with DJ MAYAKU, with two co-produced with butaji. It's been hinted that the full album at Bandcamp comes with a previously unreleased bonus track.

Find the regular vocal edition here.

Otagiri "The Radiant (Original Karaoke)" (Download)

1. ja (Instrumental)
2. Échoes (feat. butaji) [Instrumental]
3. Music Related (Instrumental)
4. Thirty-Six & 9 (feat. butaji) [Instrumental]
5. Theme2
6. The Radiant (Instrumental)
7. ja (Reprise) [Instrumental]
8. Life Sentence Pt. 4 (Instrumental)
9. Pt. 3 (Remix) [Instrumental]
10. Theme
11. Ode2 (feat. i know) [Instrumental]
12. Daily, Updated (Instrumental)

Out now (4/29)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

Tokyo-based rap duo Dreamcast (Twitter, SoundCloud) have just released a first digital single! The title "kuberu maki" translates to "burning firewood". Check it out below! (Be careful not to mistake them with others of the same name.)

Previous works include appearances on compilation mini-albums "__ at Lightsout 10" (, OTOTOY) and "Past Age Meeting" (that comes as a preloaded vintage MP3 player with a download code, still available at Jet Set, and also a remix of Sunny Day Service on remix album "motto iine!" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Dreamcast "kuberu maki" (Download)
Dreamcast 「焚べる薪」

Dreamcast
Out now (4/28)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Funky idol group Philosophy No Dance have just released a new EP! You can watch the music video for title song "Cup Ramen Program" below.

The album comes in three editions. Limited edition A includes a Blu-ray disc of live footage (with an audio commentary track of the group's members) and a photobook, all contained in a special box. Limited edition B comes with a DVD (Region 2 NTSC) of the music video with behind-the-scenes footage. The digital edition includes instrumental versions of the 4 songs (, Spotify).

The main CD's songs can be sampled at HMV. CDJapan and HMV give away a promo poster (A3 size) while supplies last. Amazon also has an offer for a large-sized print of the jacket (though the discount doesn't apply) by following these links: Limited edition A, Limited edition B, Regular edition.

Philosophy no Dance "Cup Ramen Program"
フィロソフィーのダンス 「カップラーメン・プログラム」

CD
1. Cup Ramen Program
2. Focus
3. Telephonism
4. CAT'S EYE

Live Blu-ray (Limited edition type A only)
"World Extension" 2020.11.19 @ harevutai
1. Dance or Dance
2. Like a Zombie
3. nande?
4. Optimistic Love
5. Dance Founder
6. Free Your Festa
7. Algorithm no umi
8. itsuka otona ni natte
9. Sister
10. Shall We Start
11. I'm After Time (instrumental)
12. Don't Stop the Dance
13. Live Life
"Dive/Connect" 2021.2.2 @ Zepp Online
1. Sister
2. Vital Temptation
3. New Atraxia
"LIVE IGNITION" 2021.2.11 @ Toyosu PIT
1. Parrhesia
2. Just Memories
3. Cup Ramen Program

DVD (Limited edition type B only)
"Cup Ramen Program" Music video + Making of...

Limited edition type A (CD + Blu-ray)
Sony Music SRCL-11728
Out 4/28, ¥5909 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon (17% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Limited edition type B (CD + DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
Sony Music SRCL-11730
Out 4/28, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon (21% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition (CD only)
Sony Music SRCL-11732
Out 4/28, ¥1091 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Cup Ramen Program"

CHAI has just released a new song that's a collaboration with YMCK! "PING! PONG!" is accompanied by a music video in YMCK's distinctive style. Check it out below!

This is the 5th song to be released in advance from CHAI's upcoming album "WINK" (to be released on May 21). Check out their YouTube channel to find the other music videos.

YMCK also recently released a collaboration with the twin rappers from P.O.P., an ending theme song for anime series "oshiete Hokusai!", of which CHAI sang the opening theme. Find out more about this here.

CHAI "PING PONG! feat. YMCK" (Download)

Sony Music Japan / Sub Pop
Out now (4/28)
Sample/buy: (Asia), (World), Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Here's a 5th album from 8-piece funk/soul band Q.A.S.B., which has just been released today! Having been releasing 7"'s at a high pace, the album contains songs from several of these, plus a few brand new tracks too! Included are covers of Pizzicato Five's "Thank You" (the 7" also contained "Week-End"!), Roy Ayers' "Can't You See Me", and many original songs. Check out the music videos below!

This is the follow-up to 2018 album "Thinking of You" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Q.A.S.B. "Candy Dream"

1. Candy Dream
2. Shaky Shaky
3. VIVALAVA
4. Baby Soul
5. Wolf (Instrumental)
6. Thank You
7. The Sun And Moon
8. Can't You See Me feat. Hiro-a-key
9. Escape

Soul Garden Records SG075
Out now (4/28), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sampler clip

"The Sun And Moon"

"Candy Dream"

"Thank You"

Here comes a first album by the recently formed dance music band THE IMAGE, which comprises elements of soul, funk, disco and rock. The band features mainly Nakamura Michihiro on vocals, Taku Tomizawa (Number the., Group Tamashii) on guitar and Ori Makoto (aka Francis, ex-The Collectors) on bass.

Including the songs "Starlight" and "Ai Ha Music (Love is music)" that were released in advance, the album has a total of 6 songs of which two feature singer arvin homa aya (ex-Jazztronik).

THE IMAGE "1"

1. STARLIGHT
2. Ai Ha Music (Love is music)
3. SUPERSTAR
4. Good Life
5. sore de ii kara
6. Chasing Dreams

Mitch Records
Out now (4/28)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

"STARLIGHT"

"Ai Ha Music (Love is music)"

A new song by Ozawa Kenji, titled "El Fuego", has just been released last week. This follows single "Ultraman Zenbu" released in March, and a 3rd new song should be following in May.

Ozawa Kenji "El Fuego" (Download)
小沢健二 「エル・フエゴ（ザ・炎）」
(Japanese title: "El Fuego (The honō)")

Virgin Music / Universal
Out now (4/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

DISCOMPO is the latest project of Dr.Usui (ex-Motocompo, (M)otocompo). Featuring singer Izumi Mari, they became active in May 2020 and released a few songs on YouTube ("Boys, Boys, Boys....." and "Another Century") as well as the short movie "DISCOMPO" of which "Rinkaku" is the theme song. "Rinkaku" is the first of their songs to get an official release. Check it out in the music video below, then find it on your favorite download/streaming platform.

Also be sure to watch DISCOMPO's 1st Live Session, filmed as a handheld one-shot with impressive visuals and cool tricks along the way.

DISCOMPO with Izumi Mari is formed of composer Dr.Usui, guitarist (etc.) Junya Junya, VJ Nakama Hirohisa (also member of The Aprils) and singer Izumi Mari. Every week, they hold a band meeting via Zoom that's streamed live on Poplot's YouTube channel.

DISCOMPO with Izumi Mari "Rinkaku" (Download)
DISCOMPO with 泉茉里 「輪郭」

Poplot
Out now (4/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Singer-songwriter MIKKO has just released a cover of EPO's hit song "u, fu, fu, fu,"! The song was produced by Kanke and features Kashif on guitar.

The cover was made for the 20th anniversary of radio program "yokoso yumemachi meikyokudo e!" on Shizuoka radio station K-mix. The show is hosted by music producer Yoshi Nagato (of record shop Pied Piper House) and Kazuo Dobashi (Fly High Records).

MIKKO "u, fu, fu, fu," (Download)
MIKKO 「う、ふ、ふ、ふ、」

Angel Music Japan
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Singer-songwriter arvin homa aya (Facebook, Twitter) whose 8th album "Past Present Future" (, Spotify) was released last year, has a 7" single that has just been released on Flower Records. The 7" contains "Heaven's Song" from that latest album, plus a brand new remix by Coastlines (Masanori Ikeda & Takumi Kaneko).

The single is available in both 7" and digital forms on Flower Records' Bandcamp.

arvin homa aya will participate in the Jazz Auditoria Online festival on April 30 from 13:30 (JST), in a program titled "Jazz for kids". The free streaming link will be updated on the site's timetable page on event day.

arvin homa aya "Heaven's Song"

A. Heaven's Song
B. Interlude (Coastlines Remix)

Flower Records FLRS-135
Out now (4/21), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

This is a soundtrack mini-album from the live action TV series "Aikatsu Planet!" that's based on the arcade game of the same name. Included is the song "Lady Lady Lady" that was written and arranged by Imai Kentarō (of The Aprils & CTO LAB.). Check out the music video below!

STARRY PLANET☆ "Sweet Daytime - Aikatsu Planet! Featured Songs vol.2"
STARRY PLANET☆ 「テレビ番組『アイカツプラネット! 』挿入歌シングル2『Sweet Daytime』」

1. mata mata mata mata mata ashita
2. Lady Lady Lady
3. HAPPY∞Aikatsu!
4. FLYING TIPS
5. mata mata mata mata mata ashita
6. mata mata mata mata mata ashita (off vocal)
7. Lady Lady Lady (off vocal)

Lantis LACM-24093
Out now (4/21), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Lady Lady Lady"

"mata mata mata mata mata ashita"

"HAPPY∞Aikatsu!"

"Flying Tips"

Funky soulful sisters Way Wave strike again with a new single out now digitally! "Wavy Girl" is a collaboration with soul & funk band EMILAND who produced the track, written by their front member and guitarist Ultra Emi. Check out the music video below!

This song is the follow-up to album "Soul Punch" (2019) ( (Japan), Spotify).

WAY WAVE "WAVY GIRL" (Download)

N-Pro / P-Vine
Out now (4/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Sally Kubota Group, the trio of bassist Sally Kubota with Nakayama Tsutomu (on organ, of The Scooters) and Hara "Gen" Hideki (on drums), has a new single about to be released! This time is a tribute to songwriter Tsutsumi Kyōhei, who passed away last October, by covering two of the famous songs that he wrote. The featured singers are the original ones, with C-C-B's Ryū Kohji singing "Romantic ga tomaranai" (first released in 1985) and Ishii Akemi singing "JOY" (first released in 1987). Both songs were re-arranged by Okada Yumi, and the mix done by Satō Seiki (microstar). The 7" comes with a download code.

You can watch in the videos below some footage of the recording at Vivid Sound Studio, with interviews of the singers recalling their memories of the composer.

Also check out the previous singles released last year, "Do You Believe in Magic?" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) and "Twiggy Twiggy c/w Le Canon De Manon".

Sally Kubota Group "Romantic ga tomaranai / JOY" (7")
サリー久保田グループ 「Romanticが止まらない / JOY」

A. Romantic ga tomaranai / Sally Kubota Group & Kohji Ryū
B. JOY / Sally Kubota Group & Akemi Ishii

Sally Kubota Records/Vivid Sound SKR-001
Out 4/21, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Studio & interview footage

Two soundtracks of "Ghost In The Shell" that were produced by Cornelius are being released on vinyl! Each comes as a set of 12" and 7", of which the 7" contains apparently previously unreleased live versions of the theme songs. Featured guests include Sean Lennon, salyu × salyu, Aoba Ichiko, Sakamoto Maaya, and Takahashi Yukihiro & METAFIVE.

These soundtracks were first released on CD as "Ghost In The Shell Arise O.S.T." in 2013 and "Ghost In The Shell Shin Gekijōban O.S.T." in 2015.

Cornelius has just released a brand new song titled "Forbidden Apple" on April 16.

Cornelius "Ghost In The Shell Arise O.S.T." (12"+7")

A1. Ghost In The Shell Arise
A2. Breaking Point
A3. jibun ga inai / salyu × salyu
A4. Highway Friendly
A5. Solid Iced Air
A6. Surfin' on Mind Waves
B1. Star Cluster Collector
B2. soto wa senjō da yo / Aoba Ichiko Cornelius
B3. Logicoma Beat
B4. Self Running Landmine
B5. Confusion Diffusion
B6. Action Woman
B7. In The Shell
B8. Ending Title
C. jibun ga inai (Studio Live Ver.) / salyu × salyu
D. soto wa senjō da yo (Studio Live Ver.) / Aoba Ichiko Cornelius

Flying Dog JSLP133
Out 5/12, ¥4840 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Ghost In The Shell: The Movie / Ghost In The Shell Arise Alternative Architecture O.S.T." (12"+7")

A1. A Floating Ghost
A2. anata o tamotsu mono / Sakamoto Maaya Cornelius
A3. Execution No. 9
A4. Split Spirit / Takahashi Yukihiro & METAFIVE
A5. Body / Head
A6. Vrinda
A7. Moments in Love (Harp)
B1. mada ugoku / Sakamoto Maaya Cornelius
B2. Involution No. 9
B3. Heart Grenade / Sean Lennon Cornelius
B4. Strange Obsession
B5. Memories Fade
B6. All Fall
C. mada ugoku (Studio Live Ver.) / Sakamoto Maaya Cornelius
D. Split Spirit (Live Ver.) / METAFIVE

Flying Dog JSLP134
Out 5/12, ¥4840 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"'Ghost In The Shell Shin Gekijoban' O.S.T." teaser clip

"anata o tamotsu mono / mada ugoku" teaser clip

"GHOST IN THE SHELL ARISE"

salyu x salyu "jibun ga inai"

salyu x salyu "jibun ga inai (studio ver.)"

Cornelius suddenly dropped today a brand new song titled "Forbidden Apple"! It's available on download/streaming platforms. His previous single release goes back to "Sauna Sukisugi" in 2019.

Cornelius also has two vinyl editions of "Ghost In The Shell" soundtracks coming next month. Find details right here.

Cornelius "Forbidden Apple" (Download)

Warner Music Japan
Out now (4/16)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

chelmico have just released a brand new mini-album digitally, titled "COZY"! There's a video of the title track that you can watch below. This follows album "maze" released last August.

chelmico did an online talk and live event on release day that you can watch here. Music starts around 49 minutes in, with a live performance including several of the new songs. Rachel made public last month the happy news that she is pregnant!

chelmico "COZY" (Download)

1. To Be Continued
2. COZY
3. mustard
4. Bored
5. N.E.S.
6. cupcake ATM

Warner Music
Out now (4/16)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"COZY"

Instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan has just released a new song digitally! "Meteor Stream" is the first cut from their upcoming concept album "Nebula". Check it out below.

For "Nebula", which will be released on May 19th, the trio will be accompanied for the first time with electric guitar performed by Taki Yoshimitsu (of band 9mm Parabellum Bullet). It will be the follow-up to "Discovery", released in November last year.

fox capture plan is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! They will be holding a tour titled "Another Discovery ~Road To Nebula~" from April 20 to 25, of which details can be found on their website here.

fox capture plan "Meteor Stream" (Download)

Playwright
Out now (4/14)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Sapporo-based trackmaker PARKGOLF (SoundCloud, Twitter) has a brand new album out now! Titled "Totem", it's full of brand new tracks including collaborations with SUSHIBOYS, Emi Okamoto (of Friends), GOODMOODMOKU, and Taiwanese rapper Mizu98. Check out the music video for "Lumos Maxima" below.

The album is available on PARKGOLF's Bandcamp as well as on other download/streaming platforms.

PARKGOLF "Totem" (Download)

1. day1
2. Sunlight / PARKGOLF & GOODMOODMOKU
3. Girl Forever (feat. Mizu98)
4. IDU
5. Wonderland
6. Fire
7. Daylight / PARKGOLF & Emi Okamoto
8. Lumos Maxima / PARKGOLF & SUSHIBOYS
9. Wakaranai
10. Totem

Date Spot
Out now (4/14)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

PARKGOLF & SUSHIBOYS "Lumos Maxima"

Minimal post-classical pianist Wataru Satō (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), aka Gecko of instrumental band Gecko & Tokage Parade, has just released a new solo album. It's his first which also features strings. This is the follow-up to last year's "Feel Like April".

The song "Two Worlds" features Irish singer-songwriter Saoirse Casey, and the album also features violinist Atowa Yuri (the two of who just recently founded the Eala Label).

Aside from being available on CD, the album is also be found digitally on Bandcamp and on other download/streaming platforms.

Wataru Sato "After World"

1. Requiem
2. Universe
3. We Will Wander Forever
4. Feel like April in B flat minor
5. The Other Land
6. Remembrance
7. Sleeping Moon
8. Blank
9. Forget Me Not
10. Two Worlds feat. Saoirse Casey
11. After World

Playwright PWT83
Out 4/14, ¥2727 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Two Worlds feat. Saoirse Casey"

"Requiem"

Teaser clip

Singer-songwriter/trackmaker Mom has just released a brand new song, titled "shukujitsu"! Check out the music video below! This follows his 3rd album "21st Century Cultboi Ride a Sk8board" that was released in July 2020.

This Thursday April 15 from 21:30 (JST), a live performance will be streamed for free on Instagram from Vans' flagship store in Harajuku. Find details here.

Mom "shukujitsu" (Download)
Mom 「祝日」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (4/14)
Sample/buy: , Spotify

Tabla player U-zhaan collaborates with rappers Tamaki Roy & Chinza Dopeness on this new album! The three had been posted songs on YouTube starting over 5 years ago, including a collaboration with Yano Akiko, and finally here comes a collection of those plus several brand new songs. The new tracks include a collaboration with Salyu. A newly recorded studio live version of "Tabla'n'Rap" is also featured. Be sure to check out the music videos below!

It had been over 6 years since U-zhaan's "Tabla Rock Mountain" (, Spotify) album, which also had an appearance of Kakato (Tamaki Roy x Chinza Dopeness). Tamaki Roy released last year an album titled "Anyways" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

U-zhaan x Tamaki ROY x Chinza Dopeness "Tanoshimi"
U-zhaan×環ROY×鎮座DOPENESS 「たのしみ」

1. Nana-Youbi
2. BUNKA
3. Ginbis
4. Tabla'n'Rap (studio live ver)
5. Meow feat. Yano Akiko (Japanese title: "nya-")
6. Ideal and Reality (Japanese title: "genjitsu")
7. Summer Jam '95
8. Kansha (Japanese title: "fushigisugite suru shika nai kansha")
9. A Hot Spring in the Hell -Free Style- (Japanese title: "jigoku no onsen")
10. Oden
11. Hoshi Noshi Tashi Bashi feat. Salyu (Japanese title: "hoshi no shita, shibashi")

Golden Harvest Records GDHV005
Out 4/14, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Album trailer

"Oden"

"BUNKA"

"Ginbis"

"Meow feat. Yano Akiko"

"Nana-Youbi"

"Summer Jam '95"

"Tabla'n'Rap" (Original ver.)

Latin Quarter (Twitter), trackmaker/DJ of the Pan Pacific Playa collective from Yokohama, has a brand new album being released! His first original release in 13 years, "pattern01" is available either on cassette or digitally (via Bandcamp). Jet Set also has sets of the cassette with a T-shirt (here).

Also out at the same time is another tape titled "Mock" of previously unreleased works circa 2015 (available only at a few retailers such as Jet Set, with the label apparently having already ran out of stock), and also a mix CD titled "Hearty Party". Both cassettes include a download code.

Check out the digests clips below, and find more samples at Jet Set and Bandcamp.

Latin Quarter "pattern01" (Cassette/Download)

A1. Don't care
A2. Pooh
A3. birdsong
B1. Come on In
B2. Spring Rev
B3. Hiden

Mad Love Records/Pan Pacific Playa PPP-046
Out 4/14, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Jet Set

Latin Quarter "Mock" (Cassette+Download)

A1. flamingo tutu
A2. tu-dum
B1. Rits Crack Bits
B2. Gamlan&Turntable

Mad Love Records/Pan Pacific Playa PPP-045
Out 4/14, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Latin Quarter "Hearty Party" (Mix CD)

A.B.E. Records ABE-010
Out 4/14, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

"pattern01" digest

Maika Loubté has just released a brand new song titled "5AM", said to be the slowest from her upcoming album to come later this year.

According to Maika's newsletter, a new single will be released every month until the album gets released. You can sign up to her newsletter here to always be up with the latest.

Maika Loubté "5AM" (Download)

Water Records
Out now (4/7)
Sample/buy: , YouTube Music, Spotify

lyrical school has a brand new album titled "Wonderland" out now! This follows EP "OK!!!!!" released last year. The album has tracks produced by KM, PES, Kick a Show & Sam is Ohm among others, and there are lyrics contributed by Rachel (chelmico), valknee and more. Check out the music videos below!

HMV gives away an original folder (while supplies last).

lyrical school "Wonderland"

1. -wonderland- (skit)
2. MONEY CASH CASH CASH
3. OK!
4. Danger Treasure
5. YABAINATSU
6. SHARK FIN SOUP
7. -earthbound- (skit)
8. Fantasy
9. TIME MACHINE
10. Bright Ride
11. FIVE SHOOTERS
12. Bring the noise
13. Curtain Fall
14. SEE THE LIGHT

Victor Entertainment VICL-65466
Out 4/7, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Fantasy"

"FIVE SHOOTERS"

Hip-hop unit O'CHAWANZ have a 3rd album titled "Do The Right Thing" that has just been released. Check out the music video for opening track "Rest of the Girls" below! This release follows album "Mello Madness" released last year (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Member Lil Hakase had announced that she would leave the group at the end of March. The group is now looking for a new member (or members?) via auditions, with details on their website.

O'CHAWANZ "Do The Right Thing"

1. Rest of the Girls
2. Rolling Hill
3. MARCH FORCE 2020
4. DADA
5. SPARK!!
6. EARTH
7. LINE
8. Party Online
9. TWILIGHT

SecondFactory
Out now (4/6)
Order: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"EARTH"

"Rest of the Girls"

Dorian (Twitter), whose latest album is "midori" ( (World), (Japan), Spotify), is back with a brand new 7" single on his own label Fruits King!

Both songs can be sampled at Jet Set.

A playlist of many of Dorian's works for/with other artists can be found on Spotify.

Dorian "Everlasting LOVE / Sweet Ending" (7")

A. Everlasting LOVE
B. Sweet Ending

Fruits King/Jet Set FK-002
Out 4/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

ZEUS is the recently started solo project of guitarist/keyboardist Okuda Kensuke (Nona Reeves). After the release of three songs digitally, with ones featuring Bonnie Pink ("Little Bit Better") and hitomitoi ("sore wa, Wednesday"), here comes a full-length album! Other guest musicians include singer-songwriter Irie Yō, rapper Botsu a.k.a NGS (Dos Monos), trackmaker Taishi Satō (zatta), drummers Komatsu Shigeru (Nona Reeves) and Ibuki Fumihiro, among others.

In related news, Nona Reeves has recently released released a new song titled "Disco Amigo" digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music), a first cut from an upcoming new album to be released in 2021.

ZEUS "ZEUS"

1. Horizon
2. sore wa, Wednesday with hitomitoi
3. Foxy Love
4. Little Bit Better with BONNIE PINK
5. gomenne
6. ZEUS
7. Dogs feat. Irie Yo & Botsu a.k.a NGS
8. Midnight Seaside Tender Rain
9. Mask feat. Irie Yō
10. kyo mo dokoka de Devilman (Instrumental cover)

Daydream Park Records DPR-0005
Out 4/7, ¥2727 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"sore wa, Wednesday"

"Horizon"

Shuntarō Okino (Venus Peter) has just released a new digital EP titled "Lune De Midi". Included is a new song of the same title, plus an alternate version of "Tide Away", of which the original was released digitally last October (, Spotify, YouTube Music). The jacket is designed by Hitoshi "KINK" Suzuki.

A 7" edition of the EP will also be released at the end of April.

Shuntaro Okino "Lune De Midi" (Download)
沖野俊太郎 「Lune De Midi」

1. Lune De Midi
2. Tide Away (Alternate Mix)

indiansummer
Out now (3/31)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Lune De Midi"

Koh-Gaku is a producer unit formed of Tsudio Studio, SNJO (Twitter) and HiRO.JP. They have just released a 2nd EP, which features vocals by Tsujibayashi Miho (Twitter). The release is aligned with this month's Bandcamp Friday.

This follows a first EP titled "Opto1" that featured Takano Yuniko. Check it out also at Bandcamp. Tsujibayashi Miho's latest album is "ombre" released in 2019.

Koh-Gaku "Opto2: Tsujibayashi Miho" (Download)
光学 「Opto2:辻林美穂」

1. Lens
2. shukai kido made
3. You
4. yurameku
5. Terminal

Out now (4/2), ¥500
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music

The Aprils always have a trick ready for April Fool's Day! This year is a surprise release of "Hyper Girl", now available on digital platforms. The song is a self-cover of one written for electro-pop idol my♪Rabbits. Find that original version here.

This song has been given in MP3 or CD format to those who did a donation for their online performances shared in October and November last year. You can view the live clips here in 2D, or in special VR180 editions.

The Aprils "Hyper Girl" (Download)
エイプリルズ 「ハイテンションガール」
(Japanese title: "High Tension Girl")

The Aprils
Out now (4/1)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY