Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Singer-songwriter Machi Akari (Instagram, 𝕏) has released a new song digitally. "Tokyo Rhapsody" is a cover of a song originally sung by Ichirō Fujiyama, first released in 1936. The music was performed and mixed by Catherine (Instagram, 𝕏).

This release follows single Machi Akari "Yokohama Dilemma / boku no umare wa Koriyama" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A solo show of Machi Akari will also be held on Saturday, April 4 at Shibuya 7th Floor from noon (details & tickets). Then on Sunday, April 5, 2026, Machi Akari will hold a Bon odori practice session at Ota Consumer Life Center in Kamata (Tokyo) from 14:00. Find details in English at Peatix. Check her full schedule for more event information.

Machi Akari "Tokyo Rhapsody" (Download)
町あかり 「東京ラプソディ」

Solcielo
Out now (2/19)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Loupx garoux (𝕏) has released a new single on Bandcamp and download/streaming platforms.

Description from Bandcamp:
Loupx garoux presents a new single that engages with pop culture and social themes through a sharp conceptual lens. The A-side, "(RE)LOADED," reinterprets the imagery of Anpanman alongside the notion of conscription, while the B-side, "FIG(URE)" is informed by the subversive ethos of the film Fight Club.

This release follows album "Anya" (2024) (Bandcamp, OTOTOY, , Spotify). Loupx garoux is 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).

Loupx garoux "(RE)LOADED/FIG(URE)" (Download)

1. (RE)LOADED
2. FIG(URE)

Amp-mutation
Out now (2/11)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Indie 4-girl rock band QUINCAMPOIX (Instagram, 𝕏) has been releasing new songs regularly in digital format lately. The newest is "Teenage Dream" of which you can watch the music video below.

Prior to this one were released "Rock'n'Roll Tonight" in October (music video), "Get It On" in September (music video), and "Summer Fatigue" in July (music video).

Their upcoming show announced at this time is event "Moonshine vol.24" to be held on February 28 at Shibuya Ruby Room (details). Their live schedule can always be found on their website on the "gigs" page.

Quincampoix "Teenage Dream" (Download)

Do It Ourselves. NOPA-7457
Out now (1/30)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

THE LET'S GO's (𝕏, Facebook) have released a new single, of two new songs titled "Dream Catcher" and "Time After Time". The 7" was first sold at shows of a 3-city tour for the release, which was followed by a digital release, and now it's available at some shops such as the ones linked below.

This follows the release of single "Refrain / Time Machine" last summer, which was followed by cover mini-album "Tracks For Lucks ~Swamp Bag Sessions~".

It has also been announced that another new single titled "Disco Night / D!D!D!D! DISCO" will be released in a few months, with a tour starting at Shimokitazawa Shelter on May 4. Find all of the band's schedule on their web site.

THE LET'S GO's "Dream Catcher / Time After Time" (Download/7")

A. Dream Catcher
B. Time After Time

CMA-SUN Records CMA-0002
Out now (1/24), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: , Spotify, YouTube Music, Vamp! Shop, Disk Union, Juno (UK), Time Bomb

Trailer clip

Girl beat band Jenny Jenny (Instagram, 𝕏) has a new EP coming on Koga Records. Including 3 songs, the 7" EP is titled "Jenny Jenny" and contains three new recordings, two of which are originals ("cake!" and "Good ska peak"). The other song is a cover of "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave", originally by Martha and the Vandellas but here in the Japanese version as performed by The Collectors. The 7" will be limited to 300 copies. The two original songs are also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

Led by Carole Ai❣️ (also a member of Childish Tones and Three Dilly Tuffys), Jenny Jenny was formed in 2022 and has been very active performing in the garage rock and mod scene in Tokyo (occasionally elsewhere too). Jenny Jenny has recently participated in Koga Records' "Koga Records 2025 Winter Collection" compilation with a cover of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Before that they released a 7" single on the Radio Underground label (ran by Daddy-O-Nov of the Back From The Grave event series), also titled "Jenny Jenny / yureru kami (You Really Got Me)" but containing two covers.

On March 26, an in-store mini-live event will be held at Disk Union Rock In Tokyo (Shibuya) from 21:00, which can be attended by those who buy the new release at Disk Union stores or Disk Union Online (details).

A release party will also be held at Shimokitazawa Shelter on March 11 from 18:30, also featuring Angel Face, Karaquri Gocco and Pretits (details & tickets). Other upcoming shows include one on February 14 at Nakano Heavysick Zero from 18:00 (details), and on March 14 at Shimokitazawa mona records from 18:30 (details).

Jenny Jenny "Jenny Jenny" (7")
ジェニ・ジェニ 「ジェニ・ジェニ」

A. cake!
B1. Good ska peak
B2. koi wa Heat Wave ((Love Is Like A) Heat Wave)

Koga Records KOGA-260
Out 2/18, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Vamp! Shop, Disk Union, Juno (UK), Time Bomb
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"cake!"

"Good ska peak"

"koi wa Heat Wave"

Teaser clip

Kumisolo (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud), a Japanese singer-songwriter based in Paris, has released a new third album recently, titled "My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever". Her music is reminiscent of city pop, electro-pop and techno-kayō, which she sings mainly in French, though also in Japanese and English.

Kumisolo also participated in Danish-Brazilian duo The Courettes' latest Japanese edition 7" single (released for their recent tour in January 2026), a Japanese-sung version of their song "Shake!" (original version music video). The single seems to have sold out in most shops in Japan, but it appears to still be in stock at Juno (UK) (at time of writing).

For those in Paris: Kumisolo has an upcoming show planned on April 27 at Supersonic. Details can be found here.

Kumisolo "My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever" (Download)

1. Mon Horizon
2. My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever
3. Caniculum
4. Bulle De Savon
5. Triste Tropical
6. Your Breath In Winter (Japanese Version)
7. La Mode (feat. Syyler)
8. Ta Voix À La Radio
9. Kilai
10. Matins Dorés
11. Your Breath In Winter (French Version)
12. Guinga

Alter K
Out now (2025/12/12)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Teaser promo clip ("Mon Horizon" / "Triste Tropical" / "Kilai")

Album trailer clip

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.66) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on Fri. February 1st, 2026 from 14:30 and 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: Sun. February 2, 2026 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. World Standard "A Letter From Sylvain" (2025)
(Japanese title: ワールドスタンダード 「シルヴァン・ヴァノーからの手紙」 "Silvain Vanot kara no tegami")

The first song played is from World Standard's new album "Komorevia". World Standard (𝕏) is the solo unit of Sōichirō Suzuki, and this new album marked the 40th anniversary since its debut. I chose "A Letter From Sylvain", which features a message narrated by French singer-songwriter Silvain Vanot. Find out more about the various collaborators featured on the album on this official page for the release.

The album is available digitally on download/streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and also on CD (CDJapan, HMV, Far Side Music) and LP (HMV, Far Side Music).

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: World Standard, Dai Nakamura

2. Dai Nakamura "Kon Ya" (2026)
(Japanese title: Dai Nakamura 「今夜」)

This is the title song from Dai Nakamura's new EP "Kon Ya" out now digitally on Bandcamp and on download/streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

This release follows EP "Small Room" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music), since which he also released as NUBACK the EP "Odoru / Zombie no uta" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music).

3. Keitarō Takanami "Drifting Clouds Rag" (2025)
(Japanese title: 高浪慶太郎 「Drifting Clouds Rag」)

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, of which "Drifting Clouds Rag" is the A-side. It's a rag time tune dedicated to Elvis Presley and Eiichi Ohtaki. The single is available on 7" and also digitally on download/streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Since 2023, Keitaro (a.k.a. K-taro) has been active as a member of Wink Music Service together with Sally Kubota. They have released album "It Girls" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) as well as several singles such as the latest "Little China Girl / Katakoto No Koi" out last December (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

4. Lemon "Blue Light" (2025)
(Japanese title: レモン 「恋のブルーライト」 "koi no Blue Light")

This is the latest original song of singer Lemon (Instagram, 𝕏), who previously sang in The Hair and Wack Wack Rhythm Band. The song was written by Geno Satō (Geno London, ex-The Hair).

While this song is also available digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music), it was also released as a 7", of which the A-side is a cover of The Style Council's "Shout To The Top", sung in Japanese as it used to be sung by Kumiko Koyanagi. Both of these songs were arranged by nyacastle a.k.a. Shinsuke Nakamura (ex-New Castle). The 7" is available on Groove Unchant's label Unchantable Records.

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Keitarō Takanami, Lemon, hitomitoi

5. hitomitoi "The Blue of Déjà vu" (2025)
(Japanese title: 一十三十一 「デジャブのブルー」 "Déjà vu no Blue")

Next is a song from Hitomitoi's latest album "Telepa Telepa" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). A new music video of the song "The Blue of Déjà vu" has been posted on YouTube recently. Watch it below!

Hitomitoi's first show of 2026 will be on January 28 at event "Esslection" to be held simultaneously at Shibuya WWW and WWW X (details & tickets).

6. Tokyo Kakehiki Club "Sayonara Kakurenbo" (2026)
(Japanese title: Tokyoかけひき倶楽部 「さよなら客恋慕」)

This is the title song from the 2nd album of Tokyo Kakehiki Club (Instagram, 𝕏), released in January: "Sayonara Kakurenbo". Coming two years after their first album "Encore" (2023) in which the duo — Shirō Saginomiya and Ranko Suichūka (aka Mayutan (Masakosan)) — sang about various cities in Japan, this time they bring us a concept album of an evening at the 10th anniversary party of imaginary snackbar Kakurenbō which had opened in the first year of Heisei era (1989). The album features not only the duo but also various of the party guests singing for the event. The song "Sayonara Kakurenbo" is near the end of the album, and features the main duo and the party's many guests who are confused about what will become of their favorite snackbar, per the song's title that hints farewell...! This song has music written by Takurō Gō (detune.) with lyrics by Mayutan.

This new album is so far only available on CD (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, etc.). Watch the sampler clip below.

On March 21, Tokyo Kakehiki Club will appear part of the 3-day "Mayutan Fest 2026" to be held from March 20 to 22. It will be held at Shibuya 7th Floor. Ticket details have yet to be announced, but the line-up can be seen here. Watch Mayutan's Instagram and 𝕏 not to miss further information.

【新譜】1/28（水）Tokyoかけひき倶楽部の2ndアルバム『さよなら客恋慕』リリース！本日フラゲ日です❗️「さよかく」をどうぞよろしく♥️

時は平成元年。架空のスナック「客恋慕（かくれんぼ）」の10周年パーティーというテイのコンセプトアルバム。スネークマンショーのごとき寸劇も入った19曲入り... pic.twitter.com/jPED1pGRHO

— Tokyoかけひき倶楽部 (@Tokyo_khclub) January 27, 2026

7. Frenesi "Oyasumi luna moth" (2025)
(Japanese title: フレネシ 「おやすみルナモス」)

This is the latest song by Frenesi (Instagram, 𝕏) released digitally, a waltz titled "Oyasumi luna moth" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) that was originally written for idol neuchan in 2017. This is the 2nd song that Frenesi releases since her recent comeback, with the release of the ghost-themed song "jorei si nai de" on Halloween Day.

In January, a new song written and produced by Frenesi and sung by Megu (Negicco) was also released, titled "Le Bon Vivant" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Frenesi has announced that she will perform at the All Japan Theremin Festival to be held on March 28 at Daikanyama Unit and Haretara Sora Ni Mame Maite. Tickets are on sale at e+. It has been 11 years since she last performed on stage.

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Tokyo Kakehiki Club, Frenesi, Tetsuto Yoshida

8. Tetsuto Yoshida "Moonlight - Tokyo" (2023)
(Japanese title: 吉田哲人 「ムーンライト ・ Tokyo」)

From singer-songwriter Tetsuto Yoshida (𝕏)'s first solo album "The Summing Up" (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, etc.), here's the song "Moonlight - Tokyo". First written for idol Kai (see the mini-album "Moonlight Tokyo" (2019) (Spotify, )), the song was re-arranged for this self-cover.

The album "The Summing Up" was also released on vinyl for Record Store Day 2024 (HMV, Tower, Jet Set). Below is the album's sampler clip.

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.

Singer-songwriter Michiru Hoshino (Instagram, 𝕏) came back last year from a hiatus, performing on stage several times, and also releasing the 2-CD greatest hits album "20 Colors" (release details below). Celebrating the 20th anniversary since Michiru's debut part of idol group AKB48, the 20-song album also included two new songs — "No Music, Yes Music" and "hoshi no namae".

The new song "No Music, Yes Music" has now just been released on 7", and the B-side is another brand new song titled "You've Got Mail" which is only available in this format. Both songs of the 7" were written by Michiru, and arranged by Seiki Satō (microstar).

The greatest hits album is available on CD and also digitally.

It has been announced that Michiru Hoshino will perform a free show on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the fun New Ginger Museum in Tochigi prefecture (a short day trip by train from Tokyo). Details have yet to be announced at time of writing.

Michiru Hoshino "No Music, Yes Music" (7")
星野みちる 「No Music, Yes Music」

A. No Music, Yes Music
B. You've Got Mail

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCR9729
Out now (1/28), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Michiru Hoshino "20 Colors - The Best of Michiru Hoshino 2005-2025" (2CD)
星野みちる 「20 Colors - The Best of Michiru Hoshino 2005-2025」

Disc 1
1. No Music, Yes Music
2. Ijiwaru Darling
3. Natsu Nandashi
4. Shūichi Romance
5. Wish On a Starry Night
6. Photograph
7. Kagami no naka no Watashi
8. Hanashite...
9. Kono Michi de
10. Nagareboshi Rendez-Vous

Disc 2
11. Take Me to the Discotheque
12. I Am Schedy
13. Ganbare
14. I Love You No Gomoji
15. Rock'n'roll Apple Pie
16. Tokyo Disco Night (Cover) / Michiru Hoshino & The Scooters
17. Koi No Funfair
18. Planetarium de Mattetene
19. Ikitai hō e
20. The Name of a Star

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCCD9626
Out now (11/19), ¥3636 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.