Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day
What's going on in 2023? Well, it's the 35th anniversary of the 8cm CD, also known as "Tanzaku CD" (or also 3" CD or "mini CD"), which was a very popular format for singles in Japan in the 90s. A...
Posted on July 8, 2023 at 01:15. | Released on July 7, 2023
DISCOMPO with Izumi Mari "Merry go ahead" (Download)
DISCOMPO, the latest project of Dr.Usui (ex-Motocompo, (M)otocompo), has just released a new song titled "Merry go ahead". Like the previous ones, it features singer Izumi Mari. This follows single "Shadow Venus" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), and "Rinkaku" (Music...
Posted on November 5, 2021 at 00:04. | Released on October 29, 2021
DISCOMPO with Izumi Mari "Rinkaku" (Download)
DISCOMPO is the latest project of Dr.Usui (ex-Motocompo, (M)otocompo). Featuring singer Izumi Mari, they became active in May 2020 and released a few songs on YouTube ("Boys, Boys, Boys....." and "Another Century") as well as the short movie "DISCOMPO"...
Posted on April 26, 2021 at 23:19. | Released on April 21, 2021
Posted on January 21, 2021 at 21:00. | Event held on Thursday January 21, 2021 at 21:30 (JST)
Pico Pico Revolution "Lucky Lucky Happy!"
Idol group Pico Pico Revolution from Toyama prefecture, easily recognized by that they always carry their "pico pico hammers", has a new 5th single out now! Title track "Lucky Lucky Happy!" has music written and produced by Dr.Usui ((M)otocompo)....
Posted on January 24, 2020 at 00:11. | Released on January 22, 2020
Gig report: Adieu, Vanilla Beans!: Retrospective & last gig reports
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound They came carried by winds from Northern Europe, where they returned to last October 7 (2018). So goes the setting of Vanilla Beans, a unique idol group that had debuted...
Posted on December 31, 2018 at 22:03.
The Nyantokanyaru's "The Nyantokanyaru's chikyujo CD Debut"
The Nyantokanyaru's is a new idol group formed of Eve Nyan Laurent (aka Evenyan, of Kit Cat) and Sorano Aozora (aka Aonyan). The whole is produced by Dr.Usui (of (M)otocompo), who also produces Kit Cat, as well as songs for...
Posted on May 1, 2017 at 22:22. | Released on May 3, 2017
Kit Cat "Wordy Rappinghood" (Download)
Kit Cat, the 3-girl (er, cat!) synth-dance-pop unit produced by Dr.Usui (of (M)otocompo), finally had a first song released on iTunes worldwide! This is a cover of classic new wave track "Wordy Rappinghood", originally performed by Tom Tom Club in...
Posted on April 8, 2015 at 21:03. | Released on April 8, 2015
Moso Calibration "mōsō shōjo 00"
Mōsō Calibration is an idol group formed of 5 girls, and this is their first full-length album including 6 songs written by Dr.Usui ((M)otocompo). Moso Calibration "mōsō shōjo 00" 妄想キャリブレーション 「妄想少女00」 1. jinsei wa ijiwaru nano... kana? 2. motto zutto...
Posted on September 4, 2014 at 23:21. | Released on August 19, 2014
(M)otocompo "OK SKA ep"
(M)otocompo (reads "otocompo") is the unit of Dr.Usui (Motocompo), and they have been performing on stage regularly since 2011. The unit's theme is to put "ska" and "electro" together, and until now they had kept a rule of not releasing...
Posted on June 15, 2014 at 00:20. | Released on June 18, 2014
xxx of Wonder "Wonder of Wonder"
xxx of Wonder (reads just "of Wonder") is a new all-star collaboration unit formed of Nanba Shiho, Dr.Usui ((M)otocompo), Frenesi, Julie Watai, and illustrator Kishida Mel. Each of the creators seem to have a defined role, with Dr.Usui writing the...
Posted on June 11, 2014 at 23:43. | Released on June 18, 2014
Echo Project "hoshimeguri no uta" (Download)
In a charity effort for the March 11 Tōhoku disaster, various female singers have united to sing on this track produced by Dr.Usui (Motocompo) and arranged by A-bee. Featured are Motocompo's Chiho, Nomoto Karia, Asahi Miho, Shishido Rumi and Moriwaka...
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 13:42. | Released on December 7, 2011
Various Artists "Ghibli Jazz Remix"
This latest Ghibli remix compilation features a lot of the best artists from the pico-pico scene. Check out what The Aprils, YMCK, The Lady Spade, Dr.Usui (Motocompo), milch of source (EeL's producer), Candles, Ram Rider, Boot Beat et al. have...
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 22:36. | Released on November 16, 2011
Full-text search results for Dr.Usui
Various Artists "TOYRO MUSIC Compilation vol.1: Colors"
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...
Posted on February 6, 2022 at 19:58. | Released on January 31, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.23
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...
Posted on January 13, 2022 at 23:08.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.9
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...
Posted on September 24, 2020 at 00:19.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.6
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...
Posted on June 25, 2020 at 01:32.
(M)otocompo feat. Temma Matsunaga "Far from BOKU" (Download)
(M)otocompo has a brand new song out now digitally! Composed by Dr.Usui and with lyrics written by drummer Hirano Kinoko, the both modern and retro catchy winter love song features guest singer Matsunaga Temma (of Urbangarde). This is also...
Posted on March 1, 2020 at 00:12. | Released on February 26, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.2
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...
Posted on January 22, 2020 at 23:55.
(M)otocompo "Yokoshima Borderline ep", Motocompo "Chiptop Lips"
Dr.Usui's ska-electro band (M)otocompo (read "otocompo") has a brand new EP about to be released! "Yokoshima Borderline ep" includes brand new track "Tao", and also popular song often heard in their live shows "kono yo ni tada hitori", and more....
Posted on December 3, 2018 at 22:45. | Released on December 5, 2018
(M)otocompo x Kit Cat "POPLOT TIMES 2016"
(M)otocompo, the ska-electro unit led by Dr.Usui, unites with synth-pop idol group Kit Cat for this split album. Included is collaboration song "FLASHBACK50" for which a music video has been shot. Check it out below! "FLASHBACK50" has been available for...
Posted on September 12, 2016 at 00:12. | Released on September 21, 2016
P.O.P "okaasan ni kiite minai to wakaranai"
Rapper twins-fronted hip-hop band P.O.P (not to be confused with newcomer idol group POP...) has a 2nd album out now, follow-up to "tanoshii koto bakari arimasu yō ni." (2014)! The 15-song album features guests such as Nakatsuka Takeshi, BIKKE (Tokyo...
Posted on December 10, 2015 at 00:12. | Released on December 2, 2015
Gig report: (M)otocompo vs The Aprils, with BiS, Ezypt
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On February 4 was an event organized by (M)otocompo, together with The Aprils, BiS and Ezypt. It was held at Shibuya Milkyway, and it was my first time at this...
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 00:30.
Gig report: CTO LAB. Presents Tokyo Outbound #01, with (M)otocompo, Shampoo
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday June 27 was an event organized by CTO LAB. at Koenji High, a good venue for which I've heard many praises for its good sound and tall stage....
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 00:18.
Gig report: HNC Release Party "Cult Club"
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Friday April 30 was the overdue release party for HNC's album "Cult" released last December. HNC used to be known as Hazel Nuts Chocolate, the solo project of a girl...
Posted on May 2, 2010 at 14:50.
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans Produce kaigi DVD" (DVD)
Neo-Shibuya-kei idol unit Vanilla Beans has a first DVD coming. Included is a talk event held earlier this year with Okite Porsche (of unit Roman Porsche), a funny long-haired guy who's an important figure of the idol scene. The DVD...
Posted on October 26, 2009 at 23:00. | Released on October 28, 2009
Various Artists "PANIC Level.01"
Excellent magazine Marquee, always keeping the post-Shibuya-kei scene happy, brings us a compilation featuring some of the best Japan has to offer recently, and that at a nice price. Included are songs by Urbangarde (MySpace), Dr.USUI (Motocompo), Sweet Vacation (MySpace),...
Posted on August 11, 2009 at 23:54. | Released on August 5, 2009
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans"
(And while on the topic...) After over a year since their 1st single, it's finally time for a debut album from post-Shibuya-kei pop duo Vanilla Beans! WIth 3 maxi-singles and several download releases until now, fans will already know most...
Posted on January 6, 2009 at 00:27. | Released on February 25, 2009
Vanilla Beans "ashita wa ashita no natsu ga kuru" (Download)
Here are two more recent Vanilla Beans downloads that I had nearly missed. Both of these are to be included on the upcoming self-titled first album, although they will be offered respectively in "album version" and "remastered version". So, just...
Posted on January 4, 2009 at 23:09. | Released on December 24, 2008
noelle "Love Electro"
noelle is a new electro/club-style project aiming to cover popular J-pop love songs. Tracks are produced by various DJs/producers and feature female vocals. This first album features producers Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), Dr.Usui (Motocompo), Ram Rider and others. Audio samples at...
Posted on June 24, 2008 at 17:49. | Released on July 9, 2008
Switched On! #5: Hazel Nuts Chocolate and Motocompo live
Hazel Nuts Chocolate and Motocompo will perform at the 5th edition of the Switched On! new-wave-dance-pop party series. Switched On! official MySpace Switched On! #5 on 6/29 (Sun.) at Kichijōji Bar Drop Live: Hazel Nuts Chocolate Motocompo V/order DJs: Dr.Usui...
Posted on June 24, 2008 at 17:42. | Released on June 29, 2008
High Flash Lovers 01
This event at new Koenji venue Koenji High will feature Shinohara Tomoe with Kaori Ono and Steve Etō, and also twin sisters unit Flip Flap, DJing by Dr. Usui of Motocompo and more. High Flash Lovers 01 on 2/24 at...
Posted on January 16, 2008 at 13:56. | Released on February 24, 2008
