Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Future soul idol group YORUWAKOREKARA ended its activities just recently on February 13, with the release of last single "what do u think?" (, Spotify, OTOTOY) and also a last show held on the same day.

Then, just ten days later came this surprise remix by producer Blackstone Village (unit of Rillsoul), of the song "Night Tempo" taken from their first EP "Gimme More" (, Spotify, YouTube Music). Watch the music video below!

YORUWAKOREKARA's last show can be viewed here.

YORUWAKOREKARA "Night Tempo (Blackstone Village Remix)" (Download)

The Mob 930
Out now (2/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

A new remix of the collaboration song of DÉ DÉ MOUSE and singer-songwriter/producer punipunidenki has been released! The original "Midnight Dew" was released in December, along with a bar scene lyric video that starred DÉ DÉ MOUSE as the bartender and punipunidenki as the customer. The new faster dance mix can be found on Bandcamp and also iTunes, Spotify, etc.

The original can also be found digitally on DÉ DÉ MOUSE's Bandcamp and streaming platforms (Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music).

DÉ DÉ MOUSE x punipunidenki "Midnight Dew (Dance Mix)" (Download)
DÉ DÉ MOUSE x ぷにぷに電機 "Midnight Dew (Dance Mix)"

not records
Out now (2/25)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

Ryusenkei, the project of Cunimondo Takiguchi, is starting a series of digital releases of brand new songs. "Route No.3" (in Japanese "3gōsen") is a self-cover of a song that first appeared on Ryūsenkei's 2003 album "City Music" (, Spotify), this time sung by Yasuyuki Horigome (ex-Kirinji).

The original version of "Route No.3" was also released on 7" for Record Day 2020, and the song was also performed by Natsu Summer on her latest album "Hayama Nights" (which is also produced by Cunimondo).

Three more new songs will be released digitally, one every month until May, all apparently featuring Yasuyuki Horigome.

The recording musicians are drummer Kitayama Yūko, bassist Matsuki "Makkin" Toshirō, guitarist Yamanouchi Toshio, keyboardist Hirahata Tetsuya and percussionist Hirano Eiji. Shin Rizumu did the strings and horns arrangements, while Cunimondo Takiguchi did the direction and basic arrangements.

Ryusenkei "route no.3 shibuya feat. Yasuyuki Horigome" (Download)
流線形 「3号線 (feat. 堀込泰行)」
(Japanese title: "3gōsen")

Happiness Records / CMT Production 1
Out now (2/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Wednesday Campanella (aka suiyōbi no Campanella) has just released today two brand new songs, "Maneki Neko" and "Edison"! Both have music videos that you can watch below.

As usual the songs are produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi. This is the 2nd release featuring new vocalist Utaha (Instagram), following "Alice / Buckingham" released in October 2021.

A show streamed live online is about to happen now (at time of writing)! Tune in here.

Wednesday Campanella "Maneki Neko / Edison" (Download)
水曜日のカンパネラ 「招き猫 / エジソン」

1. Maneki Neko
2. Edison

Warner Music
Out now (2/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Maneki Neko"

"Edison"

Reina Nosa has built a studio in her closet, from which she has been regularly delivering countless fun ukulele covers via her YouTube channel and Instagram. Meanwhile, she has found the time to make this charming and beautiful mini-album of original songs, also self-recorded in her closet with her favorite ukulele (of the Romero Creations brand), a Casiotone and various percussions.

On her website, she explains:
" Since the house became the stage of life, My closet has turned into a music studio.
Self-produced album, 'THE CLOSET MUSIC' is filled with my feeling of the closed days.
The sounds consist of ukulele, Casiotone, bowls, dishes, record scratch, and so on.
Sentimental, but happy sounds are here.
Enjoy "THE CLOSET MUSIC", as if you stay home. "

Check out the music video of the mini-album's opening song "Dance in the Closet" below!

Reina Nosa "The Closet Music" (Download)
野佐怜奈 「The Closet Music」

1. Dance in the closet
2. Time goes by quickly
3. Like a dead cactus in the corner of a room
4. 108 koalas are coming to me
5. My Topaz of November
6. A little bird's love song

Reina Nosa
Out now (2021/12/20)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Dance in the Closet"

MIDORINOMARU is an instrumental piano & drums duo that was formed in 2010, featuring pianist NiKA and drummer Akihiro Mitsuboshi (both also members of The ZOOT16). "Mellow" is their 6th album, and here it is now available digitally!

The album is also available on CD via their official online shop (shipping within Japan).

An LP edition of "Mellow" is planned to be released on May 11, 2022, containing 9 of the songs. Pre-orders can already be placed at Jet Set, Amazon, HMV and Tower Records (Tower ships only within Japan).

MIDORINOMARU "Mellow"

1. Mellow
2. MOON SUN
3. Matsuri
4. UP!UP!
5. Lines and Dots
6. LOOP
7. Good Feeling
8. Gitaba-Tango
9. YOROKOBINOUTA
10. Brown Park
11. THE PAIR OF SHOES
12. Let's do MIDORI exercises

Permanent Record
Out now (2/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Following the release of her first song in English last month, "Dead In A Hundred Years" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), Machi Akari has just released an alternate version of that same song. It has different lyrics, and a music video that you can enjoy comparing with the previous. Lyrics are in the description of the two videos on YouTube.

The original "Dead In A Hundred Years" was played on Tokyo's Coolest Sound's previous radio show, vol.24 (February 2022)!

Machi Akari "Dead In A Hundred Years (Another Ver.)" (Download)
町あかり 「Dead In A Hundred Years (Another Ver.)」

Machi Akari
Out now (2/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

18-year-old singer-songwriter kimriri's (Instagram) single "crush on you" has been released today on digital platforms! Her music can be described as indie electro-pop with a cool minimal lo-fi sound, onto which she sings with her cute voice.

Having been making music since around 2020, posting it on SoundCloud and Bandcamp, kimriri this time newly emerged from an audition held last year by Makimura Kenichi (famous for bringing Flipper's Guitar, and also the solo debut of Tatsurō Yamashita and Taeko Ōnuki) in collaboration with labels felicity and P-Vine.

This song was actually played on Tokyo's Coolest Sound's Internet radio show, vol.21 (in November 2021)! So it's a great surprise to see it being released to a wider audience. Congratulations!

kimriri "crush on you" (Download)

felicity / P-Vine DGP-1073
Out now (2/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

A 12" pressing of dip in the pool's latest single "What about this love" has just been released! It's a cover of Larry Heart (a.k.a. Mr. Fingers) that also appeared on their new album "8 red noW". Included is a brand new remix by London-based DJ unit Chaos in the CBD (Facebook page). The new remix has also been released digitally this month (, Spotify).

Hear audio samples at Jet Set. The vinyl is also listed at Juno Records in the UK.

dip in the pool "What about this love" (12")

A. What About This Love
B. What About This Love (Chaos In The CBD Remix)

Studio Mule STUDIOMULE38
Out now (2/6)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†, Juno (UK)
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"What about this love" teaser clip

Shūta Hasunuma and tabla musician U-zhaan are releasing a 3rd collaboration album, titled "Good News", the follow-up to "2 Tone" (2017) (, Spotify). This new album is entirely instrumental, and is a mixture of genres such as Indian music, ambient, new age and techno. The title song "Good News" features sarod (a stringed instrument) player Babui from North India.

There will be concerts of the two at Billboard Live in Tokyo and Osaka in April.

Shuta Hasunuma & U-zhaan "Good News"
蓮沼執太 & U-zhaan 「Good News」

1. Good News
2. Go Around
3. 6 Perspectives
4. Septem
5. Guess Who
6. Dawning
7. Mister D
8. NWF
9. Overtakes
10. Door

Golden Harvest Records GDHV006
Out now 2/16, ¥2727 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Good News"

Released last October on Damaged Goods Records (UK), which was followed by a wave of word-of-mouth in Japan, here comes the Japanese edition CD release of The Courettes' 3rd album "Back In Mono" (, Spotify, YouTube Music)! Two bonus tracks (recent 7" B-sides) are included too! Aiming for an authentic Phil Spector-esque Wall of Sound texture, the group asked for their music to be mixed by Japanese engineer Seiki Satō, whose works are often announced on this site (such as his own group microstar and solo project nicely nice, and mixing band SOLEIL (also originally in mono)).

"It's as if The Ronettes and The Ramones were invited to a wild party in Gold Star Studios' echo chamber" is how the band likes to explain its aspirations. This album's songs and their characteristic sound are sure to take you back in time, and also confuse the inadvertent listener who might believe they're hearing a classic from way back then despite that the tunes are originals. As the album title says the whole was mixed in mono, and this succeeds in reaching the authentic wall of sound texture that the duo has been aiming for, while keeping a great dose of garage rock. Filled with songs just between 2 and 3 minutes, the whole is a delight!

The Courettes have been actively touring Europe. Watch their Facebook page to find out when they'll come near you.

Don't miss reading Tokyo's Coolest Sound's exclusive interview with The Courettes & mix engineer Seiki Satō!

The Courettes "Back In Mono" (Japanese edition CD)
ザ・コーレッツ 「バック・イン・モノ」

1. Want You! Like A Cigarette
2. I Can Hardly Wait
3. Hey Boy
4. Night Time (The Boy Of Mine)
5. R.I.N.G.O.
6. Until You're Mine
7. Trash Can Honey
8. Hop The Twig
9. Misfits & Freaks
10. My One And Only Baby
11. Too Late To Say I'm Sorry
12. Edge Of My Nerves
13. Won't Let You Go
14. Cry Cry Cry
15. The Boy I Love (Bonus track)
16. Only Happy When You're Gone (Bonus track)

Hayabusa Landings HYCA-8035
Out 2/16, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Trash Can Honey"

"Misfits & Freaks"

"R.I.N.G.O."

"Hop The Twig"

"I Can Hardly Wait" and "Want You! Like A Cigarette"
(Live performance by The Courettes' Wall Of Sound All Starr Band)

Nakama Sounds (Instagram) is a recent project that's based in San Francisco, and so far features singers from Japan. This new song released recently is "gutto,, gaman shite!!", a cover of Rumi Koyama (song originally released in 1970) presented in a modern indie pop style, featuring Tokyo-based singer Odoru Mie. Check out the music video below!

Nakama Sounds' previous release was an original song out earlier in 2021, titled "Ai no Kyouhansha" (music video on YouTube) (Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music) and featuring singer Yuki Ijūin.

The music is made by Marty Garrett, a member of the band Ichiban (Instagram) whose EP "Super Drive" was introduced on this site before. Ichiban's latest release is an EP titled "Take the Stage" (Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music), also out in December 2021.

Nakama Sounds feat. Odoru Mie "gutto,, gaman shite!!" (Download)
Nakama Sounds feat. 踊るミエ 「グット,,がまんして!!」

Nakama Sounds
Out now (2021/12/3)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Future soul idol group YORUWAKOREKARA (Twitter) has just released a new and last single of two songs. It had been announced that the group will end its activities with the release of this single. The reason is that the COVID-19 situation has made it difficult to operate as a group. However, members Shino, Sayaka and Erika have expressed that they all want to continue singing, and will each continue to make music solo in a self-produced manner.

A last show will be performed on the same day in Osaka. It's sold out, but details to view it online for free can be found here.

Also check out their previous release "VOYAGE -midnight-" and their other works. Also, production unit Blackstone Village released a 3rd EP in December, titled "Dinner is ready" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

YORUWAKOREKARA "what do u think?" (Download)

1. what do u think?
2. Sepia-iro Memory

Waveridge
Out now (2/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Note: The group name's was lately mostly spelled YORUWA KOREKARA, though here it is spelled like on streaming platforms.

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. Tune in at the times below at https://lafaceb.live. Happy listening!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.24) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on February 10, 2022 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: February 11, 2022 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode was not archived as-is, but it will be replayed at the times below:

EST (Montréal/New York) —

Fri. Feb. 11 at 16h30, Mon. 14 at 12h30, Tue. 15 at 8h30, Wed. 16 at 4h30, Thurs. 17 at 0h30

Japan time —

Sat. Feb. 12 at 6h30, Tue. 15 at 2h30, Tue. 15 at 22h30, Wed. 16 at 18h30, Thurs. 17 at 14h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of the songs played, or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts that you can listen to.

1. Machi Akari "Dead In A Hundred Years" (2022)
(Japanese title: 町あかり 「Dead In A Hundred Years」)

This episode begins with a brand new song released in January, the first sung in English by singer-songwriter Machi Akari, who until now had always sung in Japanese. Titled "Dead In A Hundred Years" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), the catchy & fun pop track carries a message of "memento mori".

In terms of Machi Akari's other recent activity, in 2020 a first cover album titled "sore yuke! dengeki ryūkōka" (Spotify, ), in which she covers songs from various periods. A 7" from that album was also released, titled "minato ga mieru oka" (still available at Jet Set and HMV).

More recently, on January 1st this year, she also released a song titled "Let's Dance! FruFull" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), the theme song of Shizuoka fruit jelly shop FruFull.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Machi Akari, Fantastic Paisen

2. Fantastic Paisen "Tariki Hong Gung" (2021)
(Japanese title: ファンタスティック☆パイセン 「他力Hong Gung」)

Fantastic Paisen (Twitter, TikTok, YouTube channel) is a unit of two teenagers, and "Tariki Hong Gung" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) is their first officially released song. The song was written and sound-produced by Kentaro Imai (The Aprils, CTO LAB.), with the music video directed by Norihisa Nakama (also of The Aprils, and DISCOMPO) that you can watch below.

Fantastic Paisen are most active on their YouTube channel and TikTok, which are full of frequently updated fun and funny contents, giving advice such as everyday lifehacks.

3. The Aprils "Hyper Girl" (2021)
(Japanese title: エイプリルズ Aprils 「ハイテンションガール」 "High-tension Girl")

"Hyper Girl" is the latest released song by The Aprils, released last year for April Fools' (a special day every year for The Aprils) ("Hyper Girl" (Spotify, ).

This song is actually a self-cover of one that was written for electro-pop idol "my♪Rabbits", and released in 2020. Check out my♪Rabbits' music video below, and find details on the single here (which includes a cover of The Aprils' "SHINExSHINExSHINExSHINE").

The Aprils have been active lately, playing a show in December. Also this year's April Fools' Day will be coming in not very long, so let's remember to check The Aprils' website (when it turns midnight in Japan, and for the next 24 hours) to see what they might be up to.

Here's the music video of my♪Rabbits' version. This one is also directed by The Aprils' Hirohisa Nakama.

4. Machida Girls Choir "hoshizora no Synthesizer" (2022)
(Japanese title: まちだガールズクワイア 「星空のシンセサイザー」)

Machida Girls' Choir is a chorus group formed in 2015 and based in Machida, Tokyo. After having releasing a few space-themed songs digitally last year, in January they released brand new album "Orion-za ryūseigun" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) which turned out to have an overall spacey touch. Hear "hoshizora no Synthesizer" (title which translates to "starry sky synthesizer"), written and produced by the group's main producer Shōkichi Ishida (ex-Scudelia Electro, Spiral Life)!

The album "Orion-za ryūseigun" is also available on CD (HMV, Tower, CDJapan, Amazon).

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: The Aprils, Machida Girls Choir, CTO LAB.

5. CTO LAB. "Nazo No Enban" (2018)

Next is a song by CTO LAB., the super group formed of Tohru Okada (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Kentarō Imai (The Aprils). The song "Nazo No Enban" is from their latest album "Beyond The Box" (Spotify, ) I had the opportunity to write lyrics for this song, of which the title means "the mysterious disc", coincidentally somewhat linking with the album's jacket.

Since "Beyond The Box", CTO LAB. has been mainly active playing shows (their previous was in December), sometimes performing new songs such as covers of Moonriders. Meanwhile, a new Moonriders original album (their 10th) has been announced for release on March 12. Stay tuned!

"Beyond The Box" sampler clip

6. Frenesi "Pure Shampoo" (2012)
(Japanese title: フレネシ 「ピュアシャンプー」)

Next is a song by Frenesi, from her latest full-length original album, "Gendai" (Spotify, ). "Pure Shampoo" is the theme song of an imaginary retro shampoo commercial that you can watch just below.

Since "Gendai", Frenesi released an album of early and rare works titled "Dolphino" (2013) (Spotify, ), after which she went on hiatus at the end of 2014. Since then she has contributed a few songs and lyrics to other artists, perhaps the latest of which is SOLEIL's "Anachronic Girl" (on album "Lollipop Sixteen").

Look out for Frenesi's albums which can be heard on download/streaming platforms.

The full song:

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Frenesi, Buffalo Daughter

7. Buffalo Daughter "Everything Valley" (2021)

Buffalo Daughter (Facebook) released last September a brand new album titled "We Are The Times" (Bandcamp, Spotify, (World), (Japan), YouTube Music)! "Everything Valley" is the album's closing song, and here it marks the end of the episode. As a Canadian, I was happy to hear that Kid Koala made the characters for the music video of the song "Global Warming Kills Us All" (watch it further down this page).

The album is available for pre-order on a sea blue vinyl U.S. edition via Bandcamp, where the digital edition is also available. There's also a Japanese vinyl edition on black vinyl that was released in January and still available at Jet Set, and the Japan-only CD edition.

Also, a split EP with DMBQ, "A Missing Link Between Buffalo Daughter And DMBQ", was released on Bandcamp in November.

Thank you for tuning in! There are also replays within one week listed at the top of the page.

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some older ones on Mixcloud.

Here are more music videos by the artists featured in this episode.

Machi Akari "One-Way Road"

The Aprils "High-Flying Girl"

Machida Girls Choir "Moon Base"

CTO LAB. live performance from last year

Frenesi "Gendai"

Buffalo Daughter "Global Warming Kills Us All (Video Edit)"

Mondo Grosso, the solo project of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), is back with a brand new album! Each song is a collaboration with different singers, Takao Tajima (Original Love), Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin')), CHAI, RHYME, DONGURIZU, and many more. The lead song "In This World" also features Ryuichi Sakamoto. This album is the follow-up to "Attune / Detune" (2018).

Shinichi Osawa commented:
"The background and the process of producing the album 'BIG WORLD' have become an important part of my life as a musician. I can't even imagine where I will go from here, but I have no doubt this will be the starting point for my 'next journey'. To everyone who was involved in making this album and to everyone who will listen to it: Thank you."

Watch the music videos below, and check out the special site for the release. Comments by each of the featured artists can also be found at the bottom of this entry in English.

The album is available on CD in a limited edition, with a Blu-ray disc of three music videos and coming in a digipak, or as a regular edition. It's also available digitally: , Spotify, OTOTOY.

On April 20 will be released an LP edition of "Mondo Grosso Official Best", the greatest hits album released last year. It will come as two separate 2LP sets, totaling 4 discs. Pre-orders are already available: 1st set (Jet Set, HMV), 2nd set (Jet Set, HMV).

MONDO GROSSO "Big World"

1. Intro
2. In This World feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto (Vocals: Hikari Mitsushima)
3. Forgotten (Vocals: ermhoi (Black Boboi / millennium parade))
4. B.S.M.F (Vocals: DONGURIZU)
5. Oh No! (Vocals: CHAI)
6. Last Heart (Vocals: suis (Yorushika))
7. Stranger (Vocals: Asuka Saitō (Nogizaka46))
8. Lost People (Vocals: Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin'))
9. Illusory Reflection (Vocals: Takao Tajima (Original Love))
10. Crypt (Vocals: Porin (Awesome City Club))
11. Overflowing (Vocals: Mika Nakashima)
12. Big World (Vocals: RHYME)

Blu-ray (Limited edition only)
1. Music video: In This World feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto (Vocals: Hikari Mitsushima)
2. Music video: Stranger [Vocal: Asuka Saitō (Nogizaka46)]
3. Music video: Forgotten [Vocal: Ermhoi (Black Boboi / Millennium Parade)]

Limited edition (CD + Blu-ray, digipak)
A.S.A.B RZCB-87060
Out 2/9, ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon (18% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition
A.S.A.B RZCB-87061
Out 2/9, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"In This World"

"Stranger"

"Forgotten"

Comments from the featured artists below:

2nd installment of her "World Tour Mix" series, here comes a collaboration of Maki Nomiya with Thai singer-songwriter and producer Phum Viphurit (Facebook page, Instagram)! This song is a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's "On the sunny side of the street", a single which also appeared on album "Overdose" (1994).

This follows "The night is still young (feat. Night Tempo)" released in December. There should be more exciting things to come this year! Recently, Maki also appeared on Tetsurō Yafune's brand new album "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums.", an album produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One), singing in duet on Pizzicato Five covers.

Maki celebrates this year the 40th anniversary of her debut (album "Pink no kokoro" was released in 1982), and she has a special show planned on April 29 and 30 at Billboard Live Tokyo. Find details here.

Maki Nomiya "On the sunny side of the street (feat. Phum Viphurit)" (Download)
野宮真貴 「陽の当たる大通り (feat. Phum Viphurit)」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (2/9)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

CHAI has just released a digital mini-album of remixes and collaborations, of songs that appeared on their latest album "WINK" (2021). Included are remixes by STUTS, Busy P, Confidence Man, and Scoobert Doobert, as well as collaborations with Zazen Boys and Beenzino. Check out the music videos below!

CHAI is currently touring the U.S. until mid-March! Find tour dates here.

CHAI "Wink Together" (Download)

1. Nobody Knows We Are Fun (STUTS Remix)
2. PING PONG! feat. YMCK (Busy P Remix)
3. END (Confidence Man Remix)
4. Miracle (Scoobert Doobert Remix)
5. ACTION (with ZAZEN BOYS)
6. Donuts Mind If I Do (with Beenzino)

Jisedai/Sub Pop
Out now (2/2)
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan), Spotify, YouTube Music

"Nobody Knows We Are Fun (STUTS Remix)"

"PING PONG! feat. YMCK (Busy P Remix)"

"ACTION with Zazen Boys"

"END (Confidence Man Remix)"

Singer-songwriter Ayane Yamazaki's latest album "Ribbon" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), released digitally in June last year, has just been released on vinyl! Included is a bonus alternative version of title song "Ribbon", which had also been released digitally in December (, Spotify).

Ayane Yamazaki "Ribbon" (12")

A1. Ribbon
A2. Melody
A3. Blue
A4. Feel Summer
B1. Phase
B2. Sophia
B3. Ribbon -Alternative Version-

Jet Set JSLP156
Out now (2/2)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Founded in 2020, Toyro Music is a collective of many songwriters (most if not all previously of Manual of Errors Artists) who mainly work making soundtracks, commercials, game music, etc. This is a first compilation featuring an original song by each of its artists, of an impressive variety. These include Matsumae Kimitaka, Gak Sato, Gary Ashiya (La veuve moustachue), Tsujibayashi Miho, and Gō Takurō (detune.) to name a few.

There's a special page for the release here.

The album is available digitally, and also on CD.

Various Artists "TOYRO MUSIC Compilation vol.1: Colors"

(Title / Artist)
1. COSMIC LATTE / Kimitaka Matsumae
2. Half Awake Half Asleep / Tarō Nagata
3. Friends feat. Kana Yaginuma / Miho Tsujibayashi
4. RGB / Gak Sato
5. Vanilla / Yokogawa Toshihiko
6. four grays / Yoshiyuki Usui
7. Gold Summer of Mosquitoes / Hitomi Shimizu
8. Mawashi / Naomi Araki
9. Walk in the Forest / Tomoko Isobe
10. Green Ray / Gary Ashiya
11. Whale Ivory / Naohisa Taniguchi
12. navy × baby / Takurō Gō
13. colourful things / Kuni Sugimoto
14. Chartreuse / Kensō Katō
15. e_ / Kōichi Hujimoto

Toyro Music TOYRO-01
Out now (1/31), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, , Spotify

Sampler clip

KOMONO LAKE is a unit with a theme of "natural style city pop", formed of singer Kanbin (also an illustrator), London-born producer SKYTOPIA (Facebook page) (ex-Kero Kero Bonito), and bassist Kuroji. "Justified" is their 2nd EP. Check out the music videos below!

This follows 1st EP "LAKE" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) released last year.

Also drop by their YouTube channel which has covers and more, as well as a home session that was streamed last October.

KOMONO LAKE "Justified" (Download)

1. Kaerimichi
2. Century
3. Tsukanoma
4. Honmono
5. Justified
6. Mezame

Komono Lake
Out now (1/26)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Century"

"kaerimichi"

"Justified"

"Mezame" lyric video