Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Wednesday Campanella (aka suiyōbi no Campanella) has just released digitally a brand new song titled "Orihime". Watch the music video below!

This is the 5th song featuring new vocalist Utaha (Instagram) (also listen to "Alice / Buckingam" and "Maneki Neko / Edison"). All of these will be included on the upcoming full-length album titled "Neon" to be released on May 25! The album will also apparently include four brand new songs. Stay tuned!

Wednesday Campanella "Orihime" (Download)
水曜日のカンパネラ 「織姫」

Warner Music
Out now (4/27)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

The Bassons ("bass" pronounced as in "bass guitar") is a funky band with a sound based around bass and drums, formed of rapper Darthreider (a.k.a. Rei Wordup), bassist Katsuhara Daisaku, drummer Ōta Kōji, Tomohiko Gondō on flugelhorn, with the whole mixed by Dub Master X. Their new album "Through The Woods" has just been released digitally, and it also features guests Kenji Jammer and Kumiko Morita. Check out the music videos below.

An upcoming show on June 23 can be watched online. It will be held at Shimokitazawa Club Que, and also feature Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura and Sou Matsumoto. Details can be found here.

The Bassons "Through The Woods" (Download)
ベーソンズ 「森を抜けたら」
(Japanese title: "mori o nuketara")

1. AB
2. Lil Half Dead (feat. Kenji Jammer)
3. Word
4. Whale
5. Through The Woods (feat. Kumiko Morita)
6. 5years (Fulltime Version)
7. Uncle Donuts
8. Moonlight (feat. Kumiko Morita)
9. The Gate
10. The Last Supper

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

"Through The Woods"

"AB"

This is a new collaboration of DÉ DÉ MOUSE and DJ/producer/singer YonYon. The music of "Step in Step in" was co-written by the two, while the lyrics are by YonYon. Check out the music video below, which features dancer Ringo Winbee.

DÉ DÉ MOUSE will do a free live show online on May 2 from 23:00 (JST). Find details and a countdown clock here.

DÉ DÉ MOUSE x YonYon "Step in Step in" (Download)

not records
Out now (4/20)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

It's time for Record Store Day! This weekend on Saturday April 23 is the worldwide Record Store Day, and like always there are many releases happening in Japan too! Below is a list of recommended picks. Many releases in Japan have already been announced and the full list can be found here

As always, there are no online pre-orders, but online sales in Japan may start on release day from 13:00 (JST). There will also be an RSD Drops day on Saturday June 19. Stay tuned!

Various Artists "a young person's guide to blue-very e.p." (7")

A 7" of four songs from the "a young person's guide to blue-very" compilation released a year ago.

A1. 101 Dalmatians / waitin'
A2. Memory Girls / our freedom our darkness
B1. Reina / make a pancake
B2. Dai Nakamura / I Love You

blue-very label blvd-028
Out 4/23, ¥1600 (excl. tax)
Order: disques blue-very, Tower (Japan only)

DÉ DÉ MOUSE & punipunkdenki "Midnight Dew" (7")
DÉ DÉ MOUSE & ぷにぷに電機 「Midnight Dew」

Recent single by DÉ DÉ MOUSE and singer-songwriter/producer punipunidenki, released digitally in December and followed in February by a dance mix by DÉ DÉ MOUSE. Both tracks are included on this 7".

A. Midnight Dew
B. Midnight Dew (Dance Mix)

not records NOT0036
Out 4/23, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Pasocom Music Club "See-Voice" (12")
パソコン音楽クラブ 「SEE-VOICE」

3rd and latest album by Pasocom Music Club, "See-Voice", released in October 2021.

A1. Dehors (Intro)
A2. Listen
A3. Locator
A4. Far
A5. Aqua Glass
A6. Panorama
A7. Underwater
B1. Sun Point
B2. Voice
B3. Nukete
B4. Innocent Blue
B5. Affirmation
B6. Around the core
B7. Uminari

Pasocom Music Club PSCMLP004
Out 4/23, ¥3300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

kiss the gambler "mokusou" (12")
kiss the gambler 「黙想」

1st album by kiss the gambler, released on CD and digitally in August last year (, Spotify, YouTube Music), is being released on colored vinyl. kiss the gambler also released this month a 7" single of "Fresh" (with for B-side an acoustic versio of "Summer Sunrise"), and there will be another 7" of "Ginger" coming soon (with a "Lovers Dub" mix for B-side).

A1. Intro
A2. Siberia Sponge Cake
A3. Fresh
A4. Spring Call
A5. Brother
A6. Summer Sunrise
A7. Can You Whistle, Johanna?
B1. Good Bye, Youthh
B2. Ginger
B3. Nyoki Nyoki
B4. Your Concrete House and My House of Sand
B5. A Little Dog Barks
B6. Don't Wither, Cranberries

Rhion Records RHION-LP2
Out 4/23, ¥3182 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

3776 "3776 Calendar" (12"+CD)
3776 「3776カレンダー」

Idol group 3776 (Minanaro)'s album "3776 Calendar" gets a LP release. The package includes games of "sugoroku" and "fukuwarai", and a CD of the same contents as the LP.

A1. shogatsu wa ee mon da
A2. 2037nen no Valentine
A3. shunmin
A4. sakura sakura
A5. 88ya
A6. hotaru koi
B1. Repeater
B2. bon uta ondo
B3. tsuki no ikari
B4. manako gumo
B5. aki matsuri
B6. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Narisu Records LX-3776-E
Out 4/23, ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

moe hiiro "Trouble Boys" (7")
一色萌 「トラブル・ボーイズ」

"Pub rock" idol Hiiro Moe (member of XOXO Extreme) covers Dave Edmunds' "Trouble Boys" in Japanese, with the music performed by the band of Billy Bremner (ex-Rockpile). The B-side is a new song produced by Satō Yūsuke and performed by Kūchū Camera.

A. Trouble Boys
B. taiyō o nusunda onna

Narisu Records NRSP-7102
Out 4/23, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sunaga t experience "STE" (2LP)

2LP release of Sunaga t experience's 2015 album "STE".

A1. Inugami-ke no ichizoku ~ai no Ballad~
A2. shikisai no Blues feat. chihiRo
B1. Kind of
B2. Ventura Highway feat. Sofia Finnila
B3. moderno ~keep going, Tokyo~
C1. a.S.S. ~dedicate to Hermeto Pascoal~
C2. Kiev no sora feat. Jukka Eskola
C3. shin Chitose kūkō
D1. DIRTY30 feat. Zeebra, MURO, RINO LATINA II, ECD, YOU THE ROCK★, Scha Dara Parr
D2. 20:00_20 gō sen
D3. Slumber

Universal Music / HMV record shop PROZ-7910/1
Out 4/23, ¥4500 (excl. tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower (Japan only)

Q.A.S.B. "Baby Soul / Love Merry-Go-Round" (7")

Single cut from Q.A.S.B.'s latest album "Candy Dream", with a non-album B-side.

A1. Baby Soul
B2. Love Merry-Go-Round

Soul Garden Records SG-079
Out 4/23, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Slowly "Tripping Out (2022 Remaster / Soul Mix)" (7")

Cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Tripping Out" (first released in 2018), remastered and with for B-side the "Soul Mix" that was only available on the album's double-LP release (released for Record Day 2021).

A. Tripping Out (2022 Remaster)
B. Tripping Out (Soul Mix)

Flower Records FLRS-144
Out 4/23, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

akiko "Love Theme from 'Spartacus'" (7")

Jazz singer akiko's popular cover of "Love Theme from 'Spartacus'" newly re-arranged in a club-friendly way. The B-side is a self-cover of original song "The Transformer" in a tech house style. Bot hwere re-arranged by pianist Masayasu Tzboguchi.

A. Love Theme from 'Spartacus'
B. The Transformer

ability muse records PMKA-1001
Out 4/23, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

akiko "I'm Every Woman" (7")

Chaka Khan cover, made in collaboration with Yukihiro Fukutomi.

A. I'm Every Woman [Discol Ver.]
B. I'm Every Woman [Minimal Ver.]

ability muse records PMKA-1001
Out 4/23, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Monday Michiru "YOU MAKE ME (Radio Edit) / Sunshine After The Rain (Radio Edit)" (7")
Monday 満ちる 「YOU MAKE ME (Radio Edit) / Sunshine After The Rain (Radio Edit)」

Single cut of tracks from 1998 and 1995. "You Make Me" was produced by Shinichi Ōsawa (Mondo Grosso).

A. YOU MAKE ME (Radio Edit)
B. Sunshine After The Rain (Radio Edit)

Universal Music / HMV record shop PROT-7172
Out 4/23, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Matsudaira Ken "Matsuken Samba II" (7")
松平健 「マツケンサンバⅡ」

7" cut of Matsudaira Ken's "Matsuken Samba II" (first released in 2004). The song regained popularity in 2021 around the Tokyo Olympics, from the public strongly suggesting to feature it in the ceremony and despite that not happening.

A. Matsuken Samba Ⅱ (Full Version)
B. Matsuken Samba Ⅱ (Original Karaoke)

HMV record shop HR7S246
Out 4/23, ¥1900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Bread & Butter "Pink Shadow / kakure basho" (7")
ブレッド＆バター 「ピンク・シャドウ / 隠れ場所」

2000 self-cover of their own hit "Pink Shadow", and an original written around the same period.

A. Pink Shadow
B. kakure basho

Victor Entertainment / HMV record shop NKS-739
Out 4/23, ¥1900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Ōnuki Taeko "ai wa maboroshi / One's Love" (7")
大貫妙子 「愛は幻 / One's Love」

Re-issue of a rare promo 7", with renewed artwork.

A. ai wa maboroshi
B. One's Love

Nippon Crown / HMV record shop CRK-1026
Out 4/23, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Hirota Mieko "My Memory / 'Doberman deka' no Theme" (7")
弘田三枝子 「マイ・メモリィ / 『ドーベルマン刑事』のテーマ」

Re-issue of a 1977 single of two songs from the "Doberman deka" movie.

A. My Memory
B. "Doberman deka" no Theme

Nippon Columbia HMJA-152
Out 4/23, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"a young person's guide to blue-very e.p." sampler clip

DÉ DÉ MOUSE & punipunkdenki "Midnight Dew"

Pasocom Music Club "Panorama"

kiss the gambler "Summer Sunrise"

moe hiiro "Trouble Boys" sampler clip

Sunaga t experience "DIRTY30"

Q.A.S.B. "Baby Soul" live performance

akiko "Love Theme from 'Spartacus'" teaser

moonriders, who have celebrated the 45th anniversary of their debut, have just released a brand new original album! It had been 10 years since their previous, "Ciao!" (2011), after which they had gone on hiatus.

The album is available on CD and 2LP, and also digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

A listening event was held on release day, and it can be watched on YouTube.

moonriders "It's the moooonriders"
ムーンライダーズ 「It's the moooonriders」

1. Monorail
2. Kishibe No Dance
3. S.A.D
4. Dadakone-Zakura, Kakusei
5. Kumo To Gunshū
6. Sansaro No Futari
7. Oya Yori Erai Ko Wa Inai
8. Saikaihatsu Ga Yattekuru, Iya Iya
9. Seken Ni Yana Oto Ga Shinaika
10. Samayou Basho Ga Nai Bus Tei
11. Smile
12. Watashi Wa Gumin

CD edition
Nippon Columbia COCB-54346
Out 4/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

A1. Monorail
A2. Kishibe No Dance
A3. S.A.D
B1. Dadakone-Zakura, Kakusei
B2. Kumo To Gunshū
B3. Sansaro No Futari
B4. Oya Yori Erai Ko Wa Inai
C1. Saikaihatsu Ga Yattekuru, Iya Iya
C2. Seken Ni Yana Oto Ga Shinaika
C3. Samayou Basho Ga Nai Bus Tei
D1. Smile
D2. Watashi Wa Gumin

LP edition
Nippon Columbia COJA-9452
Out now (4/20), ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

This is a 7" split-single of soulful sisters Way Wave and funky soul band Emiland, each covering a song of Crazy Ken Band. Way Wave's track is a cover of "kakkoii Boogaloo" (originally a collaboration of CKB with Nagisa Yōko), and this one is also backed by Emiland. On the other side, Emiland covers the classic "kemuri" from Crazy Ken Band's first album "Punch! Punch! Punch!" (1998).

Way Wave's latest album "Venus Step" also features several collaborations with Emiland.

Emiland / Way Wave "kemuri c/w kakkoii Boogaloo" (7")
EMILAND / WAY WAVE 「けむり c/w かっこいいブーガルー」

A. EMILAND / kemuri
B. WAY WAVE / kakkoii Boogaloo

P-Vine P7-6296
Out 4/20, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sampler clip

Shingo Katori (Twitter, Instagram) (ex-SMAP) has just released a new album, the follow-up to "20200101". The album's concept is "tuxedo jazz". Featured guests are Takao Tajima (Original Love), Atarashii Gakko!, H ZETTRIO, Gentle Forest Jazz Band, Higuchi Ai and WONK. The song "Tokyo Tower", a cover of Misora Hibari, was arranged by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One). A cover of jazz standard "Mack the Knife" is also included, sung in English.

The album comes in three editions, a "Gold Bang!" limited edition that comes in a LP-sized jacket, a "miru Bang!" (miru = watchable) limited edition that includes a DVD of two music videos ("Tokyo SNG" and "Tokyo Tower"), and a regular edition. It's also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A series of shows are being held through May 6 at Meiji-za in Tokyo. Find details here.

Shingo Katori "Tokyo SNG"
香取慎吾 「東京 SNG」

1. Tokyo SNG
2. kongaragatte (feat. H ZETTRIO)
3. Catharsis (feat. WONK)
4. konya saikō ne
5. hitorikiri no futari (feat. Higuchi Ai)
6. Syncopation (feat. Gentle Forest Jazz Band)
7. Mack the Knife
8. Slow Jam
9. Happy BBB (feat. Tajima Takao (Original Love))
10. Tokyo Tower (feat. Atarashii Gakko!)
11. michi shirube

DVD (Limited edition "miru BANG!" only)
1. Tokyo SNG (Music video)
2. Tokyo Tower (Music video)

Limited edition "GOLD BANG!" (CD in LP-sized jacket)
Warner Music WPCL-13382
Out now (4/13), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Limited edition "miru BANG!" (CD+DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
Warner Music WPZL-31969
Out now (4/13), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition (CD only)
Warner Music WPCL-13381
Out now (4/13), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Beni Usakura (Twitter, Instagram), who is active in idol group Apokalippps (also ex-Frun Frin Friends and avandoned) and the featured vocalist of Childish Tones (Twittter, Instagram), has just released a first solo single! Both of these songs have music written and arranged by Emiri Kanou, and lyrics written by Beni herself (Emiri wrote the rap part of "keep on"). The B-side "keep on" has music co-written/arranged by Inu Machine, who also plays guitar on "passion". Watch the music videos below, both directed by Beni Usakura herself!

Available digitally, the single is also sold in CD form via Beni's apparel brand Naruheson;s' online shop (shipping within Japan).

All artwork, and also the choreography that may be seen in an upcoming music video, is by Beni Usakura herself.

Beni Usakura "Passion"
‎宇佐蔵べに 「Passion」

1. passion
2. keep on

NARUHESON;S
Out now (4/17)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"passion"

"keep on"

"keep on" (2nd version)

Maki Nomiya has just released this week a brand new song digitally, a collaboration with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) titled "onaidoshi". The title means "the same age" as the two really are of the same age.

This is probably the last surprise drop before Maki's brand new album "New Beautiful" coming next week, which will have several more brand new songs and excellent collaborations. Don't miss it!

Maki will perform two days of special shows on April 29 and 30 at Billboard Live Tokyo (each day respectively with guests Yokoyama Ken and Suzuki Keiichi (moonriders)) (details), and preceded by another on April 24 at Billboard Live Osaka (this one featuring Matsuo Remi (Glim Spanky)) (details).

Maki Nomiya "onaidoshi" (Download)
野宮真貴 「おないどし」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (4/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Teaser clip

Hideki Kaji has just released a new song digitally, a pop song titled "April Fool". Featured musicians are Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums, and Usiho Kenta (of band Otogivanashi) on electric guitar. Check out the music video below, and then find the song on your favorite streaming/download platform

This release follows the song "The Winter Fields" released in December 2021.

Two new Spotify playlists of Swedish Pop selected by Blue Boys Club (the DJ unit of Hideki Kaji and designer Hitoshi "Kink" Suzuki) have been published earlier this month. "This Is Blue Boys Club Vol.12 ~ Swedish Pop selected by Hideki Kaji" and "This Is Blue Boys Club Vol.13 ~ Swedish Pop selected by Kink".

Hideki Kaji "April Fool" (Download)
カジヒデキ 「APRIL FOOL」

1. April Fool
2. April Fool (Instrumental)

Blue Boys Club / AWDR/LR2
Out now (4/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

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.26) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on April 14, 2022 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: April 15, 2022 from 9:30 a.m.

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

EST/EDT (Montréal/New York) —

Fri. April 15 at 16h30, Mon. 18 at 12h30, Tue. 19 at 8h30, Wed. 20 at 4h30, Thurs. 21 at 0h30

Japan time —

Sat. April 16 at 5h30, Tue. 19 at 1h30, Tue. 19 at 21h30, Wed. 20 at 17h30, Thurs. 21 at 13h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of most of the songs (some replaced according to Spotify availability), 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. valknee "Scrapbook" (2022)

Rapper valknee (Twitter, Instagram) just released a new EP titled "SPRING2022..u_u..vV" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), of which the lead track is "Scrapbook". The EP's three tracks are by Shampoo, including a remix of valknee's previous single "Lip Lacquer".

Last year valknee also released single "Sweetie30" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). She's also a member of rap super-group Zoomgals, whose latest track is "Conspiracy Hairy" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: valknee, O'CHAWANZ

2. O'CHAWANZ "Colorful" (2022)
(Japanese title: O'CHAWANZ 「カラフル」)

"Colorful" is a new song by hip-hop unit O'CHAWANZ, from their latest mini-album "Episode X" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) (read "Episode Ten"). This is actually their last release with their current line-up.

Check out the music video! The mini-album is also available on CD (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV). Also don't miss their previous album "Do The Right Thing" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

3. MANON "GALCHAN MODE" (2021)

MANON (Instagram, Twitter) released last year this song "GALCHAN MODE" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), which surprised with ParaPara-inspired dancing and a 3DCG music video that's literally out of this world. The track was written produced by Lil'Yukichi (Twitter) with lyrics by MANON herself.

Since then she also released the song "Girlfriend" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Watch the video further down this page, also an impressive 3DCG feat!

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: MANON, °C-want you!

4. °C-want you! "Cherry Coke" (2019)

°C-want you! is a singer-songwriter who performs solo, and often backed by the band Meet The Hopes (Twitter), and she's also a member of Magic, Drums & Love.

°C-want you!'s first album (self-titled), which contains the song "Cherry Coke", is available on CD (CDJapan, HMV) and also on vinyl (HMV). There's also a 7" single of the song "Cherry Coke" (Jet Set).

The latest release is one as °C-want you! & Meet The Hopes, a digital single titled "Love Dream" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). You'll also find it in this radio show's Spotify playlist, instead of "Cherry Coke" which isn't available for streaming. You can watch this trailer of the 7" single though!

5. perfect young lady "COLLECTION" (2021)

perfect young lady (Bandcamp, SoundCloud) is a mysterious solo project of a girl doing home recordings, with a lo-fi electro sound and cheap-sounding synths, and just perfect like that!

The artist's first physical album is a cassette tape album that's still available at Jet Set at time of writing, probably in very limited numbers. Watch the teaser clip below that features part of the song "COLLECTION". Two songs also appeared on the compilation "Ocirco Records Greatest Hits" released last year. Otherwise there are plenty of tracks and demos that can be heard on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: perfect young lady, CHILDISH TONES feat. Beni Usakura

6. CHILDISH TONES feat. Beni Usakura "It's Cold Outside" (2022)
(Japanese title: CHILDISH TONES feat. 宇佐蔵べに 「冷たい初恋」 "tsumetai hatsukoi")

Childish Tones (Instagram, Twitter) feat. Beni Usakura (Instagram, Twitter) released latest single "Girls Wanna See No Cry / It's Cold Outside" on 7" in January. While the A-side is also available digitally (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube), the B-side is a cover of The Choir's "It's Cold Outside" that can only be found on the record. Sung in Japanese, it is rearranged with a touch of Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe In Magic".

Childish Tones is a unique band that uses only toy musical instruments to play rock'n'roll, and I play a mini drum set in it! We have upcoming shows on April 17 (this one just as Childish Tones) (with bands such as °C-want you! & Meet The Hopes, Chie & Chabe (of Learners), The Neatbeats, etc.), and on May 29 (this one feat. Beni Usakura) with The Pen Friend Club. Both will be held at Nishi-Eifuku JAM. °C-want you!, heard earlier on the show, is playing support toy piano and organ in Childish Tones for the show in April.

Since "It's Cold Outside" cannot be heard online so far (except for a short sample at Jet Set), you can instead hear the original song on its flipside, "Girls Wanna See No Cry". Don't miss checking out the previous album "God Bless the Girls" (2020).

7. Natsu Amano "Curry Rice" (2020)
(Japanese title: 天野なつ 「カレーライス」)

Natsu Amano is a singer who did her solo debut in 2018 just after leaving idol group LinQ. The song "Curry Rice" is from her first full-length album "Across The Great Divide" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Writing her own lyrics, the music is by various great songwriters. "Curry Rice" has music written by Seki Yoshihiko, and co-arranged by Matsuo Muneyoshi (ex-Instant Cytron).

The album is available on CD (CDJapan, HMV, Amazon), and also the vinyl edition is also still available at Jet Set at this time.

Last year she has released three new songs digitally: "Labyrinth Game" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), "Après la pluie, le beau temps" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) and "Super, Super, Hero" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). These three songs were also released on a CD EP titled "Labyrinth Game" (Amazon).

🎙 Listen to Narration IV
Presenting: Natsu Amano, Kokone Suzuki

8. Kokone Suzuki "FEVER" (2020)
(Japanese title: 寿々木ここね 「FEVER」)

Kokone Suzuki (Twitter), member and leader of idol group SAKA-SAMA, released her first solo album in 2020, titled "FEVER" (CDJapan, Spotify, ), from which is taken this title song. This song was written and arranged by pop band bjons (which unfortunately disbanded at the end of 2021). Check out the charming music video below.

Meanwhile, SAKA-SAMA has just released this month a new digital single of two songs, "Lilac Rendez-Vous / E.S.P." (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

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.

valknee "Lip Lacquer"

O'CHAWANZ "Earth"

MANON "Girlfriend"

°C-want you! "ai no Number" live performance

perfect young lady "PYL no sokontokoro" (a recent song posted on SoundCloud)

CHILDISH TONES feat. Beni Usakura "God Bless the Girls"

Amano Natsu "koi shite Baby!"

SAKA-SAMA "kimi ga ichiban kakkoii jan"

South Korean producer and DJ Night Tempo's latest album "Ladies In The City" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), which featured various female singers, has just been released on vinyl and cassette! The singers include Maki Nomiya, Bonnie Pink, and many more.

Night Tempo "Ladies In The City" (12"/Cassette)

A1. Intro
A2. Wonderland feat. Bonnie Pink
A3. One Way My Love feat. Sumire Uesaka
A4. Endless Mirage feat. Mariko Tone
A5. I Don't Wanna feat. Sayaka Yamamoto
A6. Tokyo Rouge feat. Maki Nomiya
B1. Night Light feat. Sayumi Michishige
B2. Love Actually (Re-Edit) feat. Crystal Tea
B3. Sentimental feat. Miyu Takeuchi
B4. House Music feat. Otoha Totsuka (Philosophy no Dance)
B5. Sweet Combination feat. Yurie Kokubu
B6. Outro

LP edition
Universal Music UIJE-9002
Out now (4/6), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Cassette edition
Universal Music UITE-9001
Out now (4/6), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Tokyo Rouge feat. Maki Nomiya"

"Sentimental (Neon Mix) feat. Miyu Takeuchi"

"Wonderland feat. Bonnie Pink"

"Night Light feat. Sayumi Michishige"

A Mountain Of One's brand new single is a collaboration with Japan's dip in the pool! "Soft Landing" is out now on 7" in Japan. The main song features Miyako Koda's vocals, while an instrumental version is included for B-side.

Hear an audio sample at Jet Set.

A Mountain Of One vs. dip in the pool "Soft Landing" (7")

A. Soft Landing
B. Soft Landing (Instrumental)

HMV record shop HR7S237
Out now (3/30), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only