Tokyo's Coolest Sound

World Standard, the solo unit of Sōichirō Suzuki, has released a new album titled "Komorevia" which marks the 40th anniversary of World Standard's debut. The new album features various collaborators, about which all information can be found on the official page for the release, and the whole is dedicated to filmmaker Shoichiro Sasaki who passed away in 2024.

Available on CD and LP, and also digitally on download/streaming platforms, it's World Standard's 15th album, follow-up to "Poesia" (2023) (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

World Standard "Komorevia" (CD/12"/Download)
ワールドスタンダード 「コモレヴィア」

1. Human Circle of Memory
2. Respiro, Life and Fallen Leaves
3. Just Standing There Waiting
4. King Lear
5. Alguém Cantando
6. Someone is Singing
7. A Pear-Shaped Melody
8. Respiro <6>
9. All My Memories are Buried Under Beautiful Snow
10. Chinese Love Poems
11. A Letter from Sylvain

CD edition
Stella SLIP-8521
Out now (12/26), ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Far Side Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

A1. Human Circle of Memory
A2. Respiro, Life and Fallen Leaves
A3. Just Standing There Waiting
A4. King Lear
A5. Alguém Cantando
A6. Someone is Singing
B1. A Pear-Shaped Melody
B2. Respiro <6>
B3. All My Memories are Buried Under Beautiful Snow
B4. Chinese Love Poems
B5. A Letter from Sylvain

LP edition
Stella SLIP-8520LP
Out now (12/26), ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Far Side Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Geno London (𝕏), the band of guitarist Geno Sato (previously known as Ai Satō of The Hair), has released a new song digitally, titled "manifestes ye-ye". Singer Lemon can also be heard singing backing vocals. This release follows "french ep" out last May.

Geno London can next be seen at event "Beautiful Human Life" on January 25, 2026 at Higashi-Koenji U.F.O. Club, part of the festivities for the venue's 30th anniversary. Also performing will be The Tramp, anata to watashi (from Nagano), and The Compagno Spiders. Details can be found here.

geno london "manifestes ye-ye" (Download)

geno london pop
Out now (12/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his debut—in 1985 as a member of Pizzicato Five—Keitarō Takanami has released a new single of two new original songs. The A-side "Drifting Clouds Rag" is a rag time tune dedicated to Elvis Presley and Eiichi Ohtaki, and the B-side "Blue Moon Lullaby" is a country waltz dedicated to Akira Kobayashi and Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu. The single is available on 7" and also digitally on download/streaming platforms.

Since 2023, Keitaro has been active as a member of Wink Music Service (of which the name is a twist on another unit he was part of in the 80s, Wink Service), together with Sally Kubota. They have released album "It Girls" as well as several singles such as the new "Little China Girl / Katakoto No Koi" released this December.

Keitaro Takanami "Drifting Clouds Rag" (7"/Download)
高浪慶太郎 「Drifting Clouds Rag」

A. Drifting Clouds Rag
B. Blue Moon Lullaby

High Contrast/Vivid Sound HCR9730
Out now (12/10), ¥2000 (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.

Wink Music Service, the group formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Scooters, She's a Rainbow, ex-The Phantom Gift/Les 5-4-3-2-1/SOLEIL), has released a new single, this time sung in duet by Keitarō and 14-year-old singer Kokoa (Instagram, 𝕏) (also a member of She's a Rainbow). The A-side "Little China Girl" as a new original of which the music was written by Ginji Itō (ex-Sugar Babe) and lyrics by Yūko Iizumi (microstar), while the B-side is a self-cover of a song Keitarō Takanami wrote for TV anime series "Chobits" in 2002. Kokoa is said to have Chinese and Thai roots, which inspired the A-side's lyrics.

It's available digitally on download/streaming platforms, and although the 7" seems to have sold out at most online shops, it is still available at label Vivid Sound at time of writing (shipping within Japan).

This release follows previous single "Night In Soho / The Audrey Hepburn Complex".

Wink Music Service "Little China Girl / Katakoto No Koi" (Download/7")
Wink Music Service 「Little China Girl / かたことの恋」

A. Little China Girl
B. Katakoto No Koi

Vivid Sound VSEP866
Out now (12/24), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, Vivid Sound
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Frenesi (Instagram, 𝕏) has released a new song digitally, this one is a waltz titled "Oyasumi luna moth". This is the 2nd new song she releases since her sudden comeback, with the release of the song "jorei si nai de" on Halloween Day.

It has also been announced that Frenesi wrote a new song for Megu (Negicco), titled "Le Bon Vivant", which will be released on January 14. An in-store event featuring Megu and Frenesi will be held at Tower Records Kinshichō (Tokyo) on January 16 from 18:30 (details).

Recently Frenesi also arranged and programmed a song on the first solo album of Kaonashi Hasegawa (bassist of CreepHyp). The song is titled "Can't Wait For Your Howling Without Me" (, Spotify, YouTube).

Frenesi goods, CDs and the "Cupra" LP (sold out in Japan!) are available for international order via Frenesi's official online shop.

Frenesi "Oyasumi luna moth" (Download)
フレネシ 「おやすみルナモス」

frenesi & otomesha OTMSHST002
Out now (12/22)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

For three years, Konishi Yasuharu (ex-Pizzicato Five) has been holding a regular event series titled "Coffee House mona records", always featuring himself and a guest, each performing a song in turn. This year Haruomi Hosono once appeared as a secret guest, and that special appearance resulted in this tribute album.

Featured on the album are many of the artists that were featured in the event series, all covering works of Harry Hosono. In addition to that, live recordings of both Haruomi Hosono and Konishi Yasuharu from that special edition are also included, as well as a previously unreleased demo recording of Hosono who performs Franz Liszt's "Liebesträume". All of the performances are performed with just guitar or piano, in the style of the event. Check out the playlist of sampler videos below.

The album is only available on CD, at the shops linked below among others. At Ultra Shibuya, the official shop of label Ultra-Vybe, a special set with a mug cup is also available (details).

The event series will continue next year, starting with a special edition where Konishi will perform backed with a band. It however sold out very quickly. Look out for further editions in the schedule of mona records.

オムニバス 「はらいそ、の音楽 コーヒーハウス・モナレコーズの細野晴臣さんトリビュート・アルバム」
Various Artists "Haraiso, no Ongaku - Coffee House mona records no Hosono Haruomi san Tribute Album"

1. Ballade of Aya / Ino hidefumi
2. Shin Shin Shin / Kaneda Kouhei (The Love Ningen)
3. Fūraibō / Konishi Yasuharu
4. Tokyo Shyness Boy / Wataru Sawabe (Skirt)
5. Hong Kong Blues (Live At Mona Records / 2025.03.28) / Haruomi Hosono
6. Natsu Nandesu / Masahiro Naoe
7. Fukuwauchi Oniwasoto / Tetsurō Yafune
8. Owari no Kisetsu (Live At Mona Records / 2025.03.28) / Konishi Yasuharu
9. Haraiso / John & Paul
10 Shimendōka / Naoki Itō
11. Koiwa Momoiro (Live At Mona Records / 2025.03.28) / Haruomi Hosono
12. Koiwa Momoiro / YOSSY LITTLE NOISE WEAVER
13. Liebesträume (Demo Version) / Haruomi Hosono

Ultra-Vybe VBCD-0127
Out now (12/17), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Playlist of sampler clips

Childish Tones (Instagram, 𝕏), the band led by Nemoto De Chôbeaullet (of labels Deckrec/Bootrec) that plays rock'n'roll using only toy musical instruments, has released a brand new 7" single. The A-side is a cover of April March's "Chick Habit" (originally France Gallʼs "Laisse tomber les filles") sung in Japanese by Beni Usakura (a.k.a. solo idol usabeni). The B-side is an original song that takes toy instruments into a surprising new direction, and it's the first sung by keyboardist ROCK-A-POPPY as the lead vocalist. Listen to sound samples on the website of shop Time Bomb.

Also featured on this recording are percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Carole Ai (also of Jenny Jenny, Three Dilly Tuffys, and DJ unit Pop Help the Grrrl), drummer Pat the Benny (me!), singer/percussionist Lollipop-Ann-Chang, and guitarist & Gameboy performer Nishioka Diddley (of Les Khmers, Dieburns), and also guitarist Iggy (of La La La Liberacíon).

The release comes from label Radio Underground ran by Daddy-O-Nov (reknowned DJ and organizer of the Back From The Grave event series), and the artwork is by Jimmy Mashiko (also a famous DJ in the garage rock scene).

First sold only at our shows, starting at "Back From The Grave: Halloween Ball 2025" in October, it is now available for order at Time Bomb (Osaka) which accepts international orders, and also at Disk Union (shipping late March). The release is limited to 300 copies, and it comes with retro 3D glasses to better enjoy the artwork.

Childish Tones "Chick Habit feat. Beni Usakura / My Brain Is Happy Sad" (7"+3D glasses)
CHILDISH TONES 「CHICK HABIT feat. 宇佐蔵べに / MY BRAIN IS HAPPY SAD」

A. Chick Habit feat. Beni Usakura
B. My Brain Is Happy Sad

Radio Underground RS-004
Out now (10/19), ¥1819 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Disk Union, Time Bomb

Hideki Kaji has released this month a brand new Christmas-themed song, titled "We All Kissed Santa Claus". Featured musicians are Hirohisa Horie on piano (Neil & Iraiza), Nari on flute, Ryūsuke Kakizawa on drums (Tetsurō Yafune Trio, Cruisic), and Shuhei Ueda on vibraphone (a.k.a. Rufus). Listen on your favorite download/streaming platform.

Hideki Kaji will perform a band-backed show this Friday, December 19 at Shimokitazawa Club Que (details). He can also be seen part of a year-end party titled "Goodbye 2025 / Hallo 2026" that starts on December 31 at 14:15 and ends the next morning, to be held at Shimokitazawa Live Haus (details), also featuring many other bands and DJs. Find his full schedule here.

Hideki Kaji "We All Kissed Santa Claus" (Download)
カジヒデキ 「みんなでサンタにキスをした！」
(Japanese title: "minna de Santa ni Kiss o shita!")

Blue Boys Club / AWDR/LR2 BBC021
Out now (12/10)
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.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.65) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on Fri. December 5, 2025 from 14:30 and 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: Sun. December 6, 2025 from 4:30 and 10:30

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. Mukaju Dan "Atmosphere" (2025)
(Japanese title: 無果汁団 「アトモスフィア」)

From the 4th album of techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan, formed of arranger Shock Tarō and composer Ton-chan, this is the opening song "Atmosphere" of which you can watch the music video below. The new album "Nasary" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) features singer Misaki who also sang on 1st and 2nd albums ("Madoromu" and "Uminekogazer").

The album is also available on CD (HMV, Tower, Amazon, CDJapan).

2. usabeni "Not your Idol" (2025)

Also the first song of a new album, "Not your Idol" is from the first full-length of solo idol usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura), titled "Because my Idol" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). There's a CD edition in a special package designed by herself containing a 28-page photo book, available via usabeni's shop NARUHESON;S (shipping directly only within Japan) or at her shows.

Check out the music video below, directed and edited by usabeni.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Mukaju Dan, usabeni, Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura

3. Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura "Chick Habit" (2025)
(Japanese title: CHILDISH TONES feat.宇佐蔵べに 「CHICK HABIT」)

Childish Tones (Instagram, 𝕏) has a new single that was just recently released on 7". The A-side is a cover of April March's "Chick Habit", originally France Gallʼs "Laisse tomber les filles". It is sung by Beni Usakura (usabeni) in Japanese. The single includes for B-side a new original song titled "My Brain Is Happy Sad", sung by keyboardist ROCK-A-POPPY. While it's still only available at shows so far, stay tuned for news once it becomes available to order online.

I have now been playing the toy drums in Childish Tones for 5 years (!). Our next show will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at Shimokitazawa Cream (details). Personnel will include a rare appearance of former member Nishioka Diddley.

4. Frenesi "jorei si nai de" (2025)
(Japanese title: フレネシ 「除霊しないで」)

Frenesi (Instagram, 𝕏) is back after a long hiatus! On Halloween day, she has released this brand new ghost-themed song, "jorei si nai de" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

It has also been announced that Frenesi wrote a new song for Megu (Negicco) which will be released in January. Stay tuned!

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Frenesi, Jenny Jenny

5. Jenny Jenny "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (2025)
(Japanese title: ジェニ・ジェニ 「サンタが街にやってくる」)

Pretty beat gal band Jenny Jenny (Instagram, 𝕏) has released a new recording, of a cover of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" sung in Japanese (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song is part of Koga Records' 30th anniversary Christmas/winter-themed compilation "Koga Records 2025 Winter Collection".

An event for the release will be held on December 10, 2025, at Shimokitazawa Shelter, featuring Jenny Jenny, liquid people, Jam to Highball, otona ni nattemo, and Viewtrade. Doors open at 18:30, and the show starts at 19:00. Tickets are available via e+.

6. Learners "Hot Club of Christ" (2016)

A Christmas-time favorite, this is a cover of Aztec Camera's "Hot Club Of Christ" performed by Learners, from a 7" Christmas EP released in 2016. A few copies of the 2nd pressing is available at time of writing at Bandcamp. The songs can also be found digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Learners is the rockabilly-style band led by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (also of Neil & Iraiza, aka Cubismo Grafico), featuring on vocals Sara Mary, and on guitar Chie Horiguchi, on bass Masamitsu Hamada, and on drums Taichi Furukawa (Konkos). The band is currently on hiatus but several members are active separately. Learner Boys will perform this Sunday December 7 at Shimokitazawa Live Haus. Find Chabe's busy schedule on Instagram.

7. Yuyakeshiwasu & Swlabrs "Psychedelic Christmas" (2025)
(Japanese title: ゆうやけしはす＆すうらばあず　「サイケデリック・クリスマス」)

Yuyakeshiwasu & Swlabrs (Instagram, 𝕏) have just released a brand new album, titled "Psychedelic Christmas". Not only it's a rock opera concept album, it also comes with a picture book that's a collaboration with painter Mao Haimura (Instagram, 𝕏). The music and story were written by Yūsuke Hayashi (Yuyakeshiwasu). The whole was conceived to please people of all ages. Check out the music video of "Psychedelic Christmas" below for a sneak peek of the book's beautiful illustrations. The music is also available on download/streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

A special show will be held on Christmas Day, December 25, at Higashi-Koenji U.F.O. Club, where the band will perform as The Orange Diamond Land Band from the picture book (details). Also, an exhibition of the book's paintings will be held from December 18 to 24 at bookstore Midori no yubi in Kichijoji open from 11:00 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays, last day until 16:00), where a talk and live event will be held on opening day December 18 from 18:30 to 19:30.

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Learners, Yuyakeshiwasu & Swlabrs, Michiru Hoshino, The Caraway

8. Michiru Hoshino "koi no Funfair" (2014)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる 「恋のファンフェアー」)

Singer-songwriter Michiru Hoshino is back this year after a hiatus of several years during which she gave birth. It's also the 20th anniversary of her singing career that began as a member of AKB48 to later move to perform solo. A greatest hits 2-CD album of her solo works and some new songs, titled "20 Colors", has just been released. It can also be heard digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

A 7" single of the new song "No music, Yes music" is also being released, and will be first available at shows starting today.

9. The Caraway "Another Christmas Will Come Around This Year" (2021)

This is a Christmas favorite of the recent years. The Caraway is the solo unit of Osamu Shimada (Twitter) who is also the guitarist of Swinging Popsicle, and it was released part of a 4-song 7" Christmas EP of which "Another Christmas Will Come Around This Year" is the title track.

The EP is available in digital form at Bandcamp, and the 7" can apparently still be found at Jet Set.

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

Find information about all previous episodes of this radio show right here.

Despite latest album "Shonan Psyche" still being all fresh from mid-summer, Yuyakeshiwasu & Swlabrs (Instagram, 𝕏) has just released another brand new album, titled "Psychedelic Christmas". Not only it's a rock opera concept album, it also comes with a picture book that's a collaboration with painter Mao Haimura (Instagram, 𝕏). The music and story were written by Yūsuke Hayashi (Yuyakeshiwasu). The whole was conceived to please people of all ages. The music video of "Psychedelic Christmas" below will give you a sneak peek of the book's beautiful illustrations. The music is also available on download/streaming platforms.

Like "Shonan Psyche", this is released on Rose Records. The mastering was done by Keiichi Sokabe (Sunny Day Service). There are also guest appearances of musicians Hatch Hatchell (Dexied The Emons) on violin, and Negi (Murabanku) on trumpet.

A special show will be held on Christmas Day, December 25, at Higashi-Koenji U.F.O. Club, where the band will perform as The Orange Diamond Land Band. Details and the reservation form can be found here.

Also an exhibition of the book's paintings will be held from December 18 to 24 at bookstore Midori no yubi in Kichijoji, open from 11:00 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays, last day until 16:00), where the book/CD is also being sold. A talk and live event will be held there on opening day December 18 from 18:30 to 19:30.

Yuyakeshiwasu & Swlabrs "Psychedelic Christmas" (Book+CD)
ゆうやけしはす＆すうらばあず 「サイケデリック・クリスマス」

1. Psychedelic Christmas
2. Kuu All Alone
3. Board Game I
4. Flack the Gentle Oaf
5. Windbone Fletcher
6. Christopher Mclaren the Big Eater
7. Guff Geheh Ohoh
8. Our Concert
9. The Orange Diamond Land Band
10. Welcome to Orangeland
11. Let's Begin the Party
12. Dinner
13. Board Game II
14. Good Night
15. The Red Socks

Rose Records ROSE367
Out 12/5, ¥3700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Disk Union, Rose Records
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Psychedelic Christmas"