City Pop on Vinyl 2023
City Pop on Vinyl is being held for the 4th time, on August 5, 2023. There are many exciting releases this time again, and below are some recommendations to Tokyo's Coolest Sound's readers. There's also a lot more to find...
Posted on August 5, 2023 at 23:05. | Released on August 5, 2023
Posted on May 18, 2022 at 00:51. | Event held on Saturday June 18, 2022 at 12:30 (JST)
Especia "Wizard"
After becoming a trio a year ago, one-of-a-kind idol group Especia are now quitting at the end of this month (March 2017)... but not without releasing a last album. "Wizard" contains 4 brand new songs, some tracks from recent EPs...
Posted on March 27, 2017 at 21:28. | Released on March 22, 2017
Especia "Danger"
Especia has a brand new single out now! Both songs were written and produced by Kai Takahashi of Lucky Tapes. A live show titled "Danger" featuring both Especia and Lucky Tapes will be held on January 9 at Shibuya...
Posted on December 10, 2016 at 13:21. | Released on December 7, 2016
Especia "Mirage"
Idol group Especia is now back as a trio with a brand new EP! There has been a serious image change following their dramatic move from Osaka to Tokyo earlier this year, with a cool sound that has evolved and...
Posted on August 11, 2016 at 22:45. | Released on August 10, 2016
Especia "Carta"
Osaka 80's style idol group Especia has a brand new album coming this month! Included are songs written by Fujii Naoyuki (ex-Checkers), Rillsoul, Schtein & Longer, PellyColo, with the rest mainly written by Hi-Fi City. The album is being released...
Posted on February 16, 2016 at 00:11. | Released on February 24, 2016
Especia "Aviator / Boogie Aroma"
Osaka 80's-inspired idol group Especia have a new single out now! This double-A-sider is actually their first one on a major label, and it has songs produced by Schtein&Longer and PellyColo respectively. Check out the sampler clip below which give...
Posted on July 28, 2015 at 21:10. | Released on July 22, 2015
Record Store Day 2015
Here comes Record Store Day 2015, to be held this Saturday April 18! On that day, people go to record shops to buy vinyl records available exclusively in shops on that day. No pre-orders or even online sales, at least...
Posted on April 15, 2015 at 23:37. | Released on April 18, 2015
Especia "Primera"
Osaka-based 80's style idol group Especia have made a move to a major label, and their first major release comes as a mini-album (still clocking over 38 minutes). This includes songs written by Meserati Nagisa (LUVRAW (Image Cluv) & PellyColo),...
Posted on February 22, 2015 at 23:25. | Released on February 18, 2015
Especia "Gusto (7" Vinyl Sampler)" (7")
Here's a 7" cut of two songs from Especia's excellent album "Gusto", here presented in vinyl-only edits by Schtein & Longer and PellyColo. Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set. Especia "Gusto (7" Vinyl Sampler)" (7") A. No1 Sweeper...
Posted on October 26, 2014 at 22:36. | Released on October 17, 2014
Especia "Viva Discoteca Especia 2014" (DVD)
Osaka-based city-pop idol group Especia had a new live DVD out now, of a show held on June 1st, 2014 at Umeda Club Quattro in Osaka. In this show, they were backed by a live band of 8 musicians. The...
Posted on October 22, 2014 at 22:10. | Released on October 1, 2014
Negipecia "Girl's Life"
Negicco (3-girl idol group from Niigata) and Especia (6-girl idol group from Osaka) join forces for a special temporary project named Negipecia! The song "Girl's Life" was written and produced by hit-maker Gotō Tsugutoshi, who wrote songs since the 80's...
Posted on August 23, 2014 at 01:04. | Released on August 26, 2014
Especia "Gusto"
Osaka-based 80's-style idol group Especia have a first album out this week. Their nostalgic synth sounds and touches of brass makes them stand out, as does the retro feel of their videos. The album has a total of 16 tracks,...
Posted on May 27, 2014 at 23:54. | Released on May 28, 2014
Especia "YA-ME-TE! / Aventure wa giniro ni"
Osaka-based idol group Especia has a new single coming, and track "Aventure wa giniro ni" was produced by Maserati Nagisa, unit of LUVRAW (LUVRAW & BTB) and PellyColo (SoundCloud). Especia are one of those few idol groups that are likely...
Posted on January 4, 2014 at 13:12. | Released on January 8, 2014
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YIKO "YIKO"
YIKO (𝕏) (pronounced "ikō") is a brand new band fronted by singers Monari Wakita (ex-Especia) and Satori (ex-The Nampa Boys, ex-Healthy Dynamite Club), with five more members totaling seven. Monari fans may recognize more familiar faces, as the band also...
Posted on December 12, 2024 at 00:10. | Released on December 11, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.55
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 November 22, 2024 at 13:46.
Monari Wakita "UNI"
Monari Wakita is about to release a brand new 4th album, titled "UNI" (pronounced as in "Universe"). All of the songs are produced by Dorian, with some lyrics written by Yurina da Gold Digger (Magic, Drums & Love), with also...
Posted on August 29, 2023 at 12:36. | Released on September 6, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.42
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 August 18, 2023 at 13:44.
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
Gento Miyano "Starry Rain feat. HALLCA" (Download)
Gento Miyano (Twitter), who has for a long time been renowned for his songwriting and arrangement works for other artists, has released a new song as his solo project under his own name. The song "Starry Rain" features singer...
Posted on February 19, 2023 at 00:54. | Released on February 11, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.35
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 20, 2023 at 00:04.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.29
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 July 15, 2022 at 13:15.
HallKariMaako "One day traveller" (Download)
HallKariMaako (Twitter), the recently formed unit of HALLCA (ex-Especia), Seira Kariya and AmamiyaMaako, has just released a new song today. This song's music and lyrics were written by member AmamiyaMaako. "One day traveller" follows the release of EP "Terminal"...
Posted on August 11, 2021 at 22:19. | Released on August 11, 2021
Posted on March 27, 2021 at 00:53. | Event held on Sunday March 28, 2021 at 21:00 (JST)
HallKariMaako "Terminal"
HallKariMaako (Twitter) is a new unit formed of three singer-songwriters: HALLCA (ex-Especia), Seira Kariya and AmamiyaMaako. On this first EP, "Terminal" and "Glitter" were written in collaboration of the three, while "nettai no Citronade" was written by HALLCA, "Brand New...
Posted on March 3, 2021 at 21:34. | Released on March 3, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.12
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 December 24, 2020 at 00:34.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.10
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 October 28, 2020 at 21:52.
Tsudio Studio "Promise of Summer feat. HALLCA" (12")
Tsudio Studio (Twitter) has just released a new song which features HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia). The release includes a 10-miute remix by Cat System Corp (猫 シ corp.). The tracks are available digitally via Bandcamp, but also as...
Posted on September 4, 2020 at 13:26. | Released on August 30, 2020
kiarayui "MOONLESS" (Download)
Singer-songwriter kiarayui has just released a new album! The song "Strawberry Moon" HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) released digitally in April is included, as well as two songs featuring Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Joe Barry. This album follows album "bambina" released...
Posted on August 15, 2020 at 13:54. | Released on August 15, 2020
HALLCA "Twisted Rainbow / Pink Medicine" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has just released two brand new songs digitally! "Twisted Rainbow" was arranged by PellyColo, and "Pink Medicine" by Blackstone Village (unit of Rillsoul). If you haven't yet, also check out her recent collaborations with...
Posted on April 19, 2020 at 18:44. | Released on April 19, 2020
kiarayui feat. HALLCA "Strawberry Moon" (Download)
Singer-songwriter kiarayui has a new song out now digitally which features HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia). The song was made in collaboration by the two, and HALLCA also sings chorus. The track was sound-produced by keyboardist ken akamatsu. It's...
Posted on April 10, 2020 at 22:39. | Released on April 10, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.3
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 March 26, 2020 at 08:00.
HALLCA & AmamiyaMaako "Floating Trip" (Download)
Singer-songwriters HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) and AmamiyaMaako have teamed up for this new song. They co-wrote the music, HALLCA did the lyrics, and AmamiyaMaako the arrangements. HALLCA and AmamiyaMaako plan to hold an event together, on Friday March...
Posted on March 11, 2020 at 19:58. | Released on March 11, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.1
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's first official episode of its own radio show (following a Christmas special)! The show is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some...
Posted on December 26, 2019 at 01:31.
HALLCA "Villa"
Following the release of an EP and 5 digital singles, here finally comes a full-length album by HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia)! In addition to previously released tracks, new song "Complex City" and also two remixes are included. Check out...
Posted on September 19, 2019 at 07:38. | Released on September 25, 2019
HALLCA "Utopia" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a brand new song out now digitally! "Utopia"'s music was co-written by herself and Rillsoul, and arranged by Blackstone Village (unit of Rillsoul), with lyrics by HALLCA. This is her 5th song released...
Posted on June 22, 2019 at 23:20. | Released on June 22, 2019
Mia Nascimento "Lucky Girl" (Download)
Mia Nascimento (Milli Milli Bar, ex-Especia) (Twitter) has a new song out now digitally! It was written and produced by Yafune Tatsurō. Upcoming shows include event "otonanbo Fest." on Saturday May 25 at Asagayake Gekijō in Asagaya (details), and...
Posted on May 22, 2019 at 23:41. | Released on May 21, 2019
HALLCA "Show the Night" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has just released a new track digitally! "Show the Night" is a brand new song written by herself and arranged by PellyColo. HALLCA's next show will be her self-organized event "Tipsy Bar Vol.4" on...
Posted on May 6, 2019 at 23:22. | Released on May 6, 2019
HALLCA "Moisture Milk" (Download)
Today HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out now digitally! This one was produced by PellyColo, and it concludes a series of three monthly releases (see also "Wanna Dance!" and "burning in blue"). HALLCA's next live...
Posted on April 1, 2019 at 22:22. | Released on April 1, 2019
HALLCA "burning in blue" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out now digitally! "burning in blue" is a track arranged by Rillsoul, who also produced "guilty pleasure" on "Apéritif e.p". One more song is to follow on April 1st. Stay...
Posted on March 1, 2019 at 23:24. | Released on March 1, 2019
HALLCA "Wanna Dance!" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out today digitally! "Wanna Dance!", a new dancefloor-oriented track with music written by PellyColo, is the follow-up to "Apéritif e.p" released last summer. It has been announced that there will...
Posted on February 1, 2019 at 21:14. | Released on February 1, 2019
Mia Nascimento "Dance in the Moonlight" (Download)
Mia Nascimento (Milli Milli Bar, ex-Especia) (Twitter) has a new solo song out now on iTunes, Spotify, etc. It was written and produced by Yafune Tetsurō (Milli Milli Bar). The song has often been played in their shows and...
Posted on September 12, 2018 at 22:37. | Released on September 3, 2018
HALLCA "Aperitif e.p"
It's been a bit over a year since Especia disbanded, and it's now the turn of group leader Tominaga Haruka to come back as a solo singer! Under the new monicker HALLCA, here comes a first EP of which the...
Posted on July 8, 2018 at 00:22. | Released on July 25, 2018
Milli Milli Bar "My Sweet Seventeen" (Download)
Milli Milli Bar (Twitter) is the new band featuring pianist/singer-songwriter Yafune Tetsurō and singer Mia Nascimento (ex-Especia), with bassist Hishikawa Kōtarō and Sugata Naoto. Already having played some shows in Tokyo (some of which can be watched on YouTube)...
Posted on January 19, 2018 at 22:52. | Released on January 19, 2018
Wakita Monari "I am ONLY"
After three great singles, here comes Wakita Monari (ex-Especia)'s 1st solo album! All songs are said to be worth single cuts. Included are songs written by Hase Hajimu, Microstar, Fukutomi Yukihiro, Yafune Tetsurō, Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Count Joke, Hase...
Posted on July 22, 2017 at 23:38. | Released on July 26, 2017
Wakita Monari "I'm with you" (CD+7")
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) has a 3rd single being released this week, ahead of a 1st solo album to come later on July 26! The new single's title song is a house tune written and produced by Fukutomi Yukihiro! Mellow jazz...
Posted on June 17, 2017 at 10:57. | Released on June 21, 2017
Wakita Monari "Boy Friend"
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) has a 2nd solo single being released on Vivid Sound! Both synth-pop style songs were produced by the two of Microstar: Satō Seiki and Iizumi Yūko. The single is available in 3 editions, a limited edition including...
Posted on February 7, 2017 at 21:15. | Released on February 15, 2017
Wakita Monari "In The City / anone,,," (CD+7")
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) is back as a solo artist! She now shows up on the great Vivid Sound label with a first solo single. Both songs are originals, with the A-side "In The City" arranged by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke),...
Posted on November 14, 2016 at 23:56. | Released on November 16, 2016
Hoshino Michiru "Love Me Again feat. ikkubaru" (CD+7")
Hoshino Michiru has a new single coming, the A-side is a Japanese cover of Indonesian 4-piece band ikkubaru's "Love Me Again" and features the band itself (recent live version by ikkubaru). By the way, ikkubaru is also known for writing...
Posted on July 2, 2016 at 14:08. | Released on July 6, 2016
