Tokyo's Coolest Sound

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.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.55) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on November 21 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: November 22, 2024 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks.

Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (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 you can listen to.

1. HALLCA "Midnight yūei" (2024)
(Japanese title: HALLCA 「ミッドナイト遊泳」)

HALLCA has just released this month a 3rd solo album, titled "WAVE" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

"Midnight yūei" is a song that was written by HALLCA and arranged by Yūya Kumagai. Actually, all songs of the album were written by HALLCA, with one co-written with band kukatachii, and the arrangers include ones from Especia days.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: HALLCA, Perfect Young Lady

2. Perfect Young Lady "iya!" (2021, 2024)
(Japanese title: Perfect Young Lady 「嫌！」)

Lo-fi synth-pop solo artist perfect young lady (SoundCloud, Bandcamp, 𝕏) released this year a first CD album titled "BEST 2020-2023" (Jet Set, Disk Union), which contains the song "iya!". This song was also previously featured on her cassette tape album released in 2021 though most vocals were re-recorded for the CD.

So far, the album is only available in CD format, but do check out the album's sampler clip below, and also the music video of song "kanpeki na wakai josei". PYL's latest demos can be heard on SoundCloud.

3. Wink Music Service "Mademoiselle Aimée" (2024)
(Japanese title: Wink Music Service 「マドモワゼル・エメ」)

Wink Music Service is a group started last year, formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). Following several 7" singles, the unit's first full-length album "It Girls" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) was just released this week. The song "Mademoiselle Aimée" is a self-cover of a song Keitaro wrote for French singer Clémentine. Here he sings the song himself in its original French version.

The album, which features three guest girl singers (Angie Hiyori, Lin Oberndorff and Sana Shiratori), is also available on CD (Amazon, HMV, Tower).

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Wink Music Service, Elektel

4. Elektel "Black Diamond" (2024)

This is the latest song by Elektel, featured on the compilation "GENESiS RE:BUiLD 02 'MASH VP! Re:VISION' Original Sound Track". The album is available digitally on Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music, etc. Check out the music video of "Black Diamond" below!

5. Neil and Iraiza "Magic Hour Melodies" (2017)

"Magic Hour Melodies" is the opening song from Neil and Iraiza's latest album "Timeless Melodies" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Neil and Iraiza is a band formed of Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Hirohisa Horie (The Cornelius Group, Dots+Borders, etc.).

6. nicely nice "Fine View (Future Wonderland Version)" (2021)

nicely nice is the solo project of Seiki Satō, the composing member of microstar. Sung by himself, "Fine View (Future Wonderland Version)" appears on the album "The Adventures of Nicely Nice" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), though the song's original version was first released in 1999 on vinyl EP "Fine View e.p.".

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Neil and Iraiza, nicely nice, Loupx garoux

7. Loupx garoux "PARALLEL" (2024)

Loupx garoux (𝕏) is a recent band fronted by singer-songwriter Mariko Nii, and also featuring drummer Yurina da Gold Digger (of Magic, Love & Drums), bassist okan (of roijypsy and WAO!), and keyboardist Romantic (ex-Bakudan Johnny). The song "PARALLEL" comes from their first album "Anya" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music).

A full show, held for the album release, can be viewed on YouTube.

Thank you for tuning in! Information about replays can be found at the top of the page.

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

Following the mini albums "Disco Akari" and "New Folk", here comes Machi Akari's take on techno! This first of two techno-themed consecutive releases contains two new songs, one in collaboration with Cherryboy Function ("Mee is a sucker for cats", Japanese title "Mi-chan wa onekoyoshi") and the other with Sigh Society (a Christmas song titled "Christmas Tree o katazukenai de").

The next release, "Machi Akari Techno Phase II", will be soon on December 4. Stay tuned!

Machi Akari has also been releasing new songs digitally at a fast pace, many of which are sung in English for her international audience. The latest of those is "Egg On My Face" (, Spotify) out earlier this month.

Machi Akari "Machi Akari Techno Phase I"
町あかり 「町あかり テクノ編 前編」
(Japanese title: "Machi Akari Techno-hen zenpen")

1. Mee is a sucker for cats
2. Christmas Tree o katazukenai de
3. Mee is a sucker for cats ~Original Karaoke~
4. Christmas Tree o katazukenai de ~Original Karaoke~

Hotwax Trax HOTWAXCD-2013
Out now (11/20), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

This year again, Record Day was held earlier this month on November 3, coinciding with the public holiday Culture Day.

Here are some picks from the many releases of this year. The full list can be found here.

Cruisic "Euphoria" (12")

1st full-length album of human-driven electronic band Cruisic, which uses live drums and sequencing. Included are covers of 808 State's "Pacific 707" and Azymuth's "Jazz Carnival". Also available digitally (Bandcamp, , YouTube Music, Spotify, OTOTOY).

A1. Pacific 707 -Full Length Version-
A2. Come With Me
A3. Snake Eyes
A4. Time Will Tell
B5. Jazz Carnival
B6. Inspector Norse -Full Length Version-
B7. Floating -Full Length Version-
B8. Finally -Full Length Version-

Flower Records FLRL-021
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan with Tetsuro Yafune Trio "Swim! Taiyakikun / YA.KU.MI" (7")
DJみそしるとMCごはんwith矢舟テツロー・トリオ 「およげ！たいやきくん / YA.KU.MI」
(Japanese title: "oyoge! Taiyaki-kun / YA.KU.MI.")

Collaboration single of DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan and Tetsurō Yafune Trio. The A-side is a class kids' song from TV show "hirake! ponkikki", while the B-side is a new original (yakumi means "condiments"). The single is available digitally with instrumentals (Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

A. Swim! Taiyakikun
B. YA.KU.MI

Octave OTS-363
Out now (11/3), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kaoru Inoue "Rhythms of Dedication" (12")

New EP. Includes a remix by Buenos Aires (Argentina) artist SidiRum, and also self-reworks and previously unreleased songs. The first 5 songs were also released digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A1. Nagareru SidiRum Remix
A2. Nagareru Anatomy
A3. La Isla Secreta
B1. Karyobinga
B2. Hoshifuru Drums
B3. Cityscape 4:20 am Harajuku

Deep Ground Records DGR-003
Out now (11/3), ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Hideki Kaji "Being Pure At Heart" (12")
カジヒデキ 「BEING PURE AT HEART ～ ありのままでいいんじゃない」
(Japanese title: Kaji Hideki "BEING PURE AT HEART ~ ari no mama de iin janai")

Vinyl release of Hideki Kaji's latest album.

A1. Being Pure At Heart
A2. We Are The Borders
A3. April Fool
A4. Preppy Peach
A5. Naked Coffee Affogato
A6. Looking For A Girl Like You
B1. Don't Wanna Wake Up!!
B2. Summer Sunday Smile
B3. Claire's Knee
B4. Walkin' After Dinner
B5. A Room Without You
B6. Dreams Never End

Blue Boys Club / AWDR/LR2 DDJB-91251
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Shino Kobayashi x small garden "Soundtrack 'Mijn Nijntje'" (7")
小林しの x small garden 「サウンドトラック "私のナインチェ"」

Sequel to Shino Kobayashi's latest album "The Wind Carries Scents Of Flowers" released last spring. It comes as a collaboration with small garden, who had appeared on two songs of the album and this time did all sound production upon which Shino recites a short story. The EP is a fictional soundtrack. There's a sampler clip on YouTube.

A1. Garden's Gate
A2. Mijn Nijntje
B1. A Tsui A-KI
B2. summer in blue jelly
B3. Garden's Gate part 2

blue-very label blvd-051
Out now (11/3), ¥2200 (excl. tax)
Order: Tower, HMV, Bandcamp

the Tiger "Get Ready" (12")

Vinyl edition of the Tiger's 1st album "Get Ready", first released on CD & digitally in March. Apparently, a new song titled "Ophelia" has been added to the tracklist.

A1. Kanamachi
A2. My town
A3. While smoking a cigarette
A4. Tell me
A5. Travelin'
B1. Hard worker's song
B2. A melody I can't remember
B3. Last night
B4. Ophelia
B5. I can not stand it

Just Luck Records/DIW JLDU-2
Out now (11/3), ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Towa Tei "ZOUNDTRACKS" (12")

Vinyl edition of the instrumental album released last year.

A1. MUSE
A2. FEATHER
A3. FRESH!
A4. ANANAS
A5. 2BAD
A6. OPEN
B1. TIPSY
B2. TOURIST REPORT
B3. HANEDA
B4. CHOP SUEY
B5. AMIKO
B6. COINCIDENCE

Machbeat.com MBLP-2411
Out now (11/3), ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "City Music Tokyo anagram" (12")

Vinyl edition of the compilation of the "City Music Tokyo" series selected by Cunimondo Takiguchi. "City Music Tokyo anagram" was first released on CD in June (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower), and a digital edition of selected tracks is also available (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

(Title / Artist)
A1. Love Is Easy / Ami Ozaki
A2. CRAZY BABY / Linda Yamamoto
A3. Maya maya Beach / Yuko Kanai
A4. Okinawan Passion / Sadao China
A5. Nagisa No Unlucky Boys / Seikō Itō
B1. Wasurechau Hitotoki / Fishmans
B2. Chotto Tsurainda / THE BEATNIKS
B3. KOWLOON DAILY / Parachute
B4. SHADOW ON THE WALL / Takuya Takahashi
B5. Call Back / FAIRCHILD

Pony Canyon PCJA-00157
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Amaiwana "New Shibuya / New Wave" (12")
アマイワナ 「新渋谷 / 新電波」
(Japanese title: "shin Shibuya / shin denpa")

2-in-1 of Amaiwana's two recent EPs. Includes a collaboration with Maki Nomiya. Mixed & mastered by Ginger Root.

Side A "New Shibuya"
A1. She's so cute
A2. Shanghai Girl
A3. First Date
A4. COVER GIRLS (feat. Maki Nomiya)
Side B "New Wave"
B1. Seesaw Game
B2. Taiwan Girl
B3. Virtual Date
B4. LOVELY BOY

0101RECORDS/HMV record shop HRLP-351
Out now (11/3), ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Amaiwana "Sweet Sweet Sweet" (12")
アマイワナ 「SWEET SWEET SWEET」

Previous mini-album of Amaiwana, including a cover of Pizzicato Five's "Message Song". Also mixed & mastered by Ginger Root.

A1. Love Robber (Album ver.)
A2. Chocolate Lemonade
A3. Jane
A4. Shiny Girl
B1. Shanghai Rendezvous
B2. Sweet Trap
B3. Message Song

0101RECORDS/HMV record shop HRLP-350
Out now (11/3), ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Q.A.S.B. "kono machi de (Shuya Okino Edit) / kono machi de" (7")
Q.A.S.B. 「この街で (Shuya Okino Edit) / この街で」

Single cut from Q.A.S.B.'s recent 6th album "Will", including a new edit by Shūya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive) who wrote the song's lyrics. The new edit is available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY). The album "Will" was released in August on vinyl and digitally.

A. kono machi de (Shuya Okino Edit)
B. kono machi de

HMV record shop HR7S319
Out now (11/3), ¥2100 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

PUNPEE "Family Sale (feat. Father)" (7")
PUNPEE 「Family Sale (feat. 親父)」

New single by rapper Punpee, in a collaboration with his dad! Check out the music video below. The song is also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

A. Family Sale (feat. Father)
B. Family Sale (feat. Father) (Instrumental)

Summit, Inc. SMMT-232
Out now (11/3), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Sekai" (2x12")
クレイジーケンバンド 「世界」

Vinyl edition of the 2023 album.

A1. Cosmic Diver
A2. eye catch * transit lounge
A3. what the world needs now is love
A4. SHHH!
B1. Oriental Hotel
B2. Mandarin Palace
B3. eye catch * CKB23
B4. Soul Love
B5. Sweet Vibration - CKB tune -
C1. Nokoriga
C2. Sweet Soul Train
C3. TERIYAKI
C4. you and me and vinyl
D1. Night has a Thousand Eyes
D2. Yokohama Bimiraisan
D3. eye catch * airport limousine
D4. Sightseeing

Universal Music UMJK-9149
Out now (11/3), ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Jyuei" (2x12")
クレイジーケンバンド 「樹影」

Vinyl edition of the 2022 album.

A1. Almond
A2. Dubai VR Tour
A3. Squall
A4. Gora
B1. Sarah
B2. Soramimi
B3. Orange Cinnamon Sunset
B4. Jyuei - Eye Catch -
B5. The Roots
C1. Me and Healey and Harley
C2. Honmoku Funk
C3. Yokosuka Rainy Night
C4. My face is wet
D1. Daini Jyuei - Eye Catch -
D2. Koutai
D3. Honmoku Chowmien
D4. Kowamote
D5. Almond Jelly Annin Tofu - Dessert -

Universal Music UMJK-9147
Out now (11/3), ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi & Flying Mimi Band "Sea Flight" (12")
小林泉美 & Flying Mimi Band 「Sea Flight」

Re-issue of the album first released in October 1978, the last of Flying Mimi Band.

A1. Concrete Wave
A2. Angel Sky
A3. Naze
A4. Summer Wine
B1. Whisper Of Shell
B2. Sea Flight
B3. Carnival
B4. It's Raining

Universal Music PROT-7299
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Vibrastone / Kyōko Isobe "ichinichijū boke- / shitsuren shigan" (7")
ビブラストーン／磯辺恭子 「一日中ボケーッ／失恋志願」

Two more songs that appeared on the "City Music Tokyo anagram" CD compilation.

A. Vibrastone / ichinichijū boke-
B. Kyōko Isobe / shitsuren shigan

Pony Canyon PCKA-00024
Out now (11/3), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Wink Music Service is a group started last year, formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). Following the release of four 7" singles (the first of which was re-issued as an 8cm CD), here finally comes a full-length album! Included are all songs from the 7" singles, which had quickly went rare. While all songs feature the singing of Keitaro Takanami, on most he is accompanied by a guest girl lead singer, appearing in turn through the album: Angie Hiyori, Lin Oberndorff (of idol unit ww) and Sana Shiratori (of idol group Lit Moon, ex-Sakura Gakuin).

The songs include covers of Hippy Hippy Shakes ("My Funny Honey", a song of which the music was written by Keitaro, with lyrics by Yasuharu Konishi), Hideki Kaji ("La Boom ~ My Boom Is Me"), Clémentine ("Mademoiselle Aimée", of which Keitaro wrote the music), France Gall ("Der Computer Nr. 3"), and Tomoyo Harada ("Romance"). The other songs were written by Sally Kubota ("It girls" and "Fantastic Girl"), Keitaro Takanami ("Baby Doll" and "Spirit of the Beehive"), and also arranger Yumi Okada ("To Rome With Love").

The CD edition of the album comes with a random trading card, of one of the three girls, or a slightly rare one of Sally and Keitaro.

Wink Music Service "It Girls"

1. It girls
2. To Rome With Love
3. My Funny Honey
4. Baby Doll
5. La Boom ~ My Boom Is Me
6. Mademoiselle Aimée
7. Fantastic Girl
8. Der Computer Nr. 3
9. Spirit of the Beehive
10. Romance

Vivid Sound VSCD9741
Out 11/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"To Rome With Love / My Funny Honey" sampler clip

"Fantastic Girl / Der Computer Nr. 3" sampler clip

HALLCA has released a 3rd solo album, titled "WAVE". Included are the previously released songs "Night Driver", "Sugar", "Mind's Eye" and "Romantic" (a collaboration with band kukatachii), and many brand new songs.

This follows album "Paradise Gate" (2021), after which also came EP "Seaside Bar" (2022).

This Saturday, November 16, HALLCA will hold a release & birthday party at Shimokitazawa Daisy Bar. Details and tickets can be found here.

HALLCA "WAVE"

1. Mind's Eye
2. Midnight yūei
3. futari no Reason
4. Airy Step feat. Funkcuts
5. Wave of Love
6. Night Driver
7. Airport
8. Sugar
9. Romantic
10. Memory Collage

Magellan-Blue Records
Out now (11/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Romantic"

"Wave of Love" short ver.

Self-produced idol usabeni (a.k.a Beni Usakura) and rapper/dancer assun (𝕏, Instagram) have collaborated just recently on a new song titled "Idol Of Surf (Summer 2024)". The song was released digitally to coincide with a tour to Bangkok they were part of last month.

The music and lyrics were written by Hyoe Yasuhara who has also contributed to Beni's latest EP "AIR". He also did the camera work in the music video below, which was directed and edited by Beni. The jacket was also designed by Beni.

A special event featuring usabeni to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut will be held this Tuesday, November 5, at Shibuya Loft Heaven (details). Find her full schedule on her official site.

usabeni & assun "Idol Of Surf (Summer 2024)"
usabeni & あっすん 「Idol Of Surf (Summer 2024)」

Hyme Beat
Out now (10/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music