Record Day 2023
Record Day is being held this year again, on November 3, coinciding with public holiday Culture Day. Below are some picks that are not to be missed from the November 3 crates, but there's also much more to be found...
Posted on November 3, 2023 at 11:43. | Released on November 3, 2023
Crazy Ken Band "Sekai"
Crazy Ken Band has just released this month a 23rd album, titled "Sekai" (which means "world"). This is the follow-up to "Jyuei" (2022). "Sekai" is the first album featuring the band's new funky drummer Shirakawa Genta, who had been appearing...
Posted on September 21, 2023 at 23:08. | Released on September 6, 2023
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
The Let's Go's "Kill By Pop" (12")
THE LET'S GO's' latest album "Kill By Pop" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) has just been released on vinyl, coming from German label Soundflat Records. "Kill By Pop" is their first album with the current line-up formed of guitarist Coco, drummer...
Posted on July 26, 2023 at 23:22. | Released on July 26, 2023
Aya Nakano with Bremen "Second"
Aya Nakano with Bremen have just released a 2nd album, titled "Second" (or in Japanese "nimaime"). Along with many original songs are included covers of "mayonaka no Door ~stay wiith me~" (cover of Miki Matsubara) and "osōji obachan" (cover of...
Posted on April 25, 2023 at 20:32. | Released on April 19, 2023
Record Store Day 2023
Record Store Day will be held worldwide on Saturday April 22! Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. As always, there are no online pre-orders,...
Posted on April 15, 2023 at 23:40. | Released on April 22, 2023
Record Day 2022 Day 2
It's still time to check out Record Day held a month ago on December 3, which had many great releases and therefore took me some time to write it up. It was the 2nd of two days, following November 3....
Posted on January 3, 2023 at 20:16. | Released on December 3, 2022
Kera "fugitive K"
Kera (aka Keralino Sandorovich, of No Lie-Sense, Uchōten) has just released a brand new solo album, titled "fugitive K"! Check out the animated sampler clip below. This new original album follows cover album "Marude Sekai" released last year. The album...
Posted on September 30, 2022 at 22:13. | Released on September 21, 2022
Crazy Ken Band "Jyuei"
Crazy Ken Band has just released this month a brand new album, their 22nd it seems! This follows cover album "I Like It" (2021) and previous original album "Now" (2020). Check out the music videos and sampler clip at the...
Posted on August 16, 2022 at 00:31. | Released on August 3, 2022
Mondo Grosso "Big World"
Mondo Grosso, the solo project of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), is back with a brand new album! Each song is a collaboration with different singers, Takao Tajima (Original Love), Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin')), CHAI, RHYME, DONGURIZU, and...
Posted on February 9, 2022 at 23:26. | Released on February 9, 2022
Various Artists "What a Wonderful World with Original Love?"
Original Love has just released an official cover album, in which many artists perform their versions of Original Love's songs from the repertory of 30 years. Featured are Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One) — with "Let's Spend The Night Together", a...
Posted on September 30, 2021 at 22:54. | Released on September 29, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.15
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 25, 2021 at 00:36.
Aya Nakano y Central "La Vida"
Once again, singer Nakano Aya has teamed up with latin sound band Central, this time as Aya Nakano y Central, for a brand new album titled "La Vida"! Along with a bunch of originals is included a cover of Yuming's...
Posted on January 29, 2021 at 21:27. | Released on January 27, 2021
Posted on August 7, 2020 at 18:54. | Event held on Sunday August 9, 2020 at 16:00 (JST)
Nakano Aya "10th Anniversary Black Box" (5x7")
Singer Nakano Aya has a boxed set of five 7"'s being released on June 10, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of her career! Four of the discs were selected different DJs and one by herself. Those selectors are Sunaga...
Posted on May 31, 2020 at 22:33. | Released on June 10, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.5
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 May 28, 2020 at 01:10.
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.
Urbangarde "TOKYOPOP"
The first release of 2020 (or Reiwa year 2 in the Japanese calendar) is a new album by trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde titled "TOKYOPOP". The album contains 6 new songs (including "kotoba uri" and "Tokyo wa Reiwa reiji"), newly recorded...
Posted on January 1, 2020 at 00:10. | Released on January 1, 2020
Konishi Yasuharu & Playboys "Inoue Jun no Playboy kouza 12 shou"
This is Konishi Yasuharu's latest project! A modern take on 1969-released album "Enraku no Playboy kōza 12 shō", a 12-chapter narrative course for becoming a playboy with perfect lounge music BGM (then performed by pianist Maeda Norio & His Playboys),...
Posted on November 14, 2019 at 23:37. | Released on November 20, 2019
Nakano Aya to Central "Reverse"
Singer Nakano Aya teams up with 9-piece street style latin sound band Central for this collaboration album. Included is brand new original song "Tropical Dandy" written by Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), "rakuen no Moon Bar" written by Sugi Masamichi,...
Posted on July 8, 2019 at 23:21. | Released on July 3, 2019
Kera "Landscape"
Kera (aka Keralino Sandorovich, of No Lie-Sense, Uchōten) has a brand new album being released! "Landscape" is the follow-up to "Brown, White & Black" (2016). The album has a concept of classical jazz from the 20's to 30's. Featured musicians...
Posted on April 29, 2019 at 23:57. | Released on May 8, 2019
Record Store Day 2019
Record Store Day 2019 is just around the corner! This year it's to be held on April 13, a week earlier than usual. This year again there are many great releases happening in Japan. Below are Tokyo's Coolest Sound's picks!...
Posted on April 11, 2019 at 22:33. | Released on April 13, 2019
Original Love "bless You!"
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao) has a brand new album coming this month! In terms of original albums this follows "Lover Man" (2015), since which single "Golden Time" (2016) and collaboration live album "Sessions" (2018, with Nagaoka Ryōsuke (Petrolz)) were...
Posted on February 3, 2019 at 22:23. | Released on February 13, 2019
moonriders "moonriders Final Banquet 2016 ~ saigo no kyōen ~" (2CD)
Despite that they were in hiatus, in 2016 Moonriders did a "hiatus hiatus" to thank their fans, and performed several times at festivals and also did a tour which ended on December 15, 2016 at Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo). This 2-CD...
Posted on January 22, 2019 at 21:36. | Released on January 23, 2019
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.
Urbangarde "Urbangarde of Love and Fantasy"
Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has just released a new special album! Closely following the release of "shojo Fiction" (April 2018), this new album collects rarities and tracks not available on any of their...
Posted on November 23, 2018 at 21:23. | Released on November 21, 2018
Negicco "love my 15 years" (Blu-ray)
Negicco's 15th anniversary live show, held at Toki Messe Niigata Convention Center on July 21, 2018, has just been released on Blu-ray. Negicco have an upcoming show titled "relive MY COLOR" to be held on Saturday November 24 at Nakano...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 22:57. | Released on November 6, 2018
Cornelius "NHK 'Design Ah' 3"
A 3rd soundtrack album for NHK's popular educational TV program "Design Ah" (「デザインあ」) has just been released. As usual all the music is by Cornelius! Featured are vocals by Chocolat, Ohno Yumiko (Buffalo Daughter), Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Leo Imai (Metafive),...
Posted on July 25, 2018 at 23:04. | Released on July 18, 2018
Nakano Aya "Double Game"
Nakano Aya has a new album coming this month! The album has imaginary "sides", the "Butterfly Side" (tracks 1 to 6) which has a jazzy big band style, and the "Glamour Side" (tracks 7 to 12) which is more rhythm...
Posted on June 13, 2018 at 23:42. | Released on June 20, 2018
Urbangarde "Shoujo Fiction"
Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde has a brand new album being released this week, underlining their 10th anniversary since album "shōjo wa nido shinu" (2008)! The deluxe edition comes with a 24-page booklet and DVD of 4 music videos. HMV gives...
Posted on April 2, 2018 at 23:24. | Released on April 4, 2018
Scooters "The Scooters Comes Alive! (The Basement Tape)" (Cassette+CD+T-shirt)
The Scooters are releasing a first live album, recorded at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar on November 1st, 2017. The show also featured guest vocalist (and labelmate) Nakano Aya. This limited release comes as a cassette tape with a CD of the...
Posted on February 15, 2018 at 22:57. | Released on March 7, 2018
Nakano Aya "girigiri no kankei" (7"+CD)
Singer Nakano Aya's latest single was released on 7"+CD! Both are new songs, with a danceable 16-beat soul A-side, and a track with an old soul sound for B-side. The CD includes bonus instrumentals. On January 9 will be held...
Posted on December 30, 2017 at 22:08. | Released on October 25, 2017
Crazy Ken Band "Crazy Ken Band All Time Best Album ai no sekai"
Crazy Ken Band has an all-time greatest hits album out now! The three CDs hold 60 of their best tracks covering their whole career so far, for a total of almost 4 hours! Plus, the limited edition gets you...
Posted on August 12, 2017 at 23:44. | Released on August 2, 2017
Charan-Po-Rantan "toritomenai ongakukai" (Blu-ray/DVD)
This is a live DVD (and Blu-ray) of the last show of Charan-Po-Rantan's latest tour, titled "Charan-Po-Rantan to yukai na Cancan Balcan Tour 2016-17 'taishū ongaku no tebiki'", which closely followed the release of album "toritomenashi". This show was held...
Posted on July 9, 2017 at 22:15. | Released on July 12, 2017
STE "koyoi mo, sakaba ni te." (7"+CD)
This is a single produced by Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t Experience), commissioned by Tochigi Doughnuts, an association that promotes restaurants, bars and shops of Utsunomiya city in Tochigi prefecture, and also 7" records. The song is a kayō-ska hymn...
Posted on June 30, 2017 at 23:33. | Released on July 5, 2017
Nakano Aya "Asami no Blues" (7"+CD)
Singer Nakano Aya has a new single out this week! Produced by Mutō Shōhei (drummer, vocalist and leader of jazz band Katteni-Shiyagare), the music is also performed by Kathmandu, a unit formed mainly of his band's members. The title song...
Posted on June 5, 2017 at 21:06. | Released on June 7, 2017
Various Artists "Toy Chara Pop Collection Vol.1~3 Selected by DJ Fukutake"
DJ Fukutake, who selected the great "Yava-kayō" mix CD series, is back with this trio of compilations under a "Toy Character Pop" theme! Respectively subtitled "Hero & Hit", "Fancy & Kawaii" and "Video Game", each compilation is filled with Shōwa-era...
Posted on April 1, 2017 at 22:26. | Released on March 22, 2017
Various Artists "manatsu no Innocence ~ Urino Masao Works Covers"
This is a cover album of songs by lyricist Urino Masao whose career amounts to 35 years. These are all new arrangements of some of his most known works, here sung by many vocalists such as hitomitoi, Mizuno Mari (paris...
Posted on February 24, 2017 at 00:04. | Released on February 22, 2017
Nakano Aya "Mambo Alc.0.00% feat. Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys" (CD+7")
Nakano Aya's new single is a song featuring Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys! The song was written by Comoesta Yaegashi and Fukuhara Mari with lyrics by Paradise Yamamoto. The B-side is a cover of Etta James' "Seven Day Fool", and features...
Posted on December 10, 2016 at 16:51. | Released on December 14, 2016
Record Day 2016
Record Day (not the same as "Record Store Day") has been set to coincide with Japan's "Culture Day" public holiday on November 3 since 1957. Since last year, Japan's only record press Tōyō Kasei takes the lead inviting Japanese artists...
Posted on November 6, 2016 at 23:02. | Released on November 3, 2016
Taketatsu Ayana "Lyrical Concerto"
Voice actress/singer Taketatsu Ayana has a 3rd album about to be released. It features an outstanding list of composers/producers including Takeshi Yokemura (YMCK), Hayashibe Tomonori (Plus-tech Squeeze Box), Mito (clammbon), Okii Reiji (Tweedees, ex-Cymbals) and Nakatsuka Takeshi among others. The...
Posted on November 1, 2016 at 00:29. | Released on November 2, 2016
Charan-Po-Rantan "karimono kyousou"
Accordion and vocals sister duo Charan-Po-Rantan have a new album out now, consisting of all covers of Japanese and foreign bands. All songs can also be sampled on this official release page. The limited edition comes with a DVD of...
Posted on September 19, 2016 at 23:27. | Released on September 14, 2016
Crazy Ken Band "Hong Kong Taxi"
Crazy Ken Band's new album "Hong Kong Taxi" consists mainly of self-covers of songs first written for other artists. Included are songs first sung by Nagisa Yōko, Wada Akiko, SMAP, and many others. Also included are a few rare songs...
Posted on August 3, 2016 at 00:01. | Released on August 3, 2016
Negicco "Live & Life II Negicco 2016 Winter-Spring" (Blu-ray)
Negicco has a new live Blu-ray disc out this week, of their recent tour titled "The Music Band of Negicco". Featured is the entire Tokyo one-man live held on April 27, 2016 at Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo, which was backed...
Posted on July 10, 2016 at 23:47. | Released on July 12, 2016
Nakano Aya "Emerald In Paradise"
Here's a new album by Kyoto-born singer Nakano Aya, produced by Hase Hajimu as usual. Included are 8 original songs and 2 covers, one of which features salsa band Central. Two 7" singles (incl. CD) were released in advance: "Episode...
Posted on June 20, 2016 at 22:57. | Released on June 15, 2016
Negicco "mujun, hajimemashita."
Negicco has a new single out now! The title song was written by singer-songwriter Sakai Yū, with lyrics by Toki Asako, and arranged by connie (Negicco's producer) and NEGiBAND. Check out the charming clip below that features many guests! The...
Posted on April 11, 2016 at 22:34. | Released on March 29, 2016
Maika Loubté "Universal Metro" (Download)
Half-French half-Japanese electronic artist Maika Loubté, who recently changed her artist name's spelling (from real name Maika Leboutet), has a brand new single out now! She is apparently preparing a new album to be released this year, follow-up to...
Posted on March 2, 2016 at 22:50. | Released on March 2, 2016
tofubeats "Positive Remixes"
Here come remixes of tofubeats' latest album "Positive"! Featured remixers include Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE), Sunahara Yoshinori, Cherryboy Function, okadada, Komuro Tetsuya, banvox, Pa's Lam System, PARKGOLF, tofubeats himself and more. tofubeats "POSITIVE Remixes" CD1 1. POSITIVE feat.Dream Ami -Nakata Yasutaka...
Posted on January 2, 2016 at 21:45. | Released on January 20, 2016
Negicco "attoteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.-"
Negicco has just released a new single of which the title track is a new version of "attōteki na Style" re-recorded with their backing band, NEGiBAND. The B-side is a brand new song with music written by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume...
Posted on December 31, 2015 at 22:12. | Released on December 26, 2015
FPM "Moments"
FPM is celebrating the 20th anniversary since Fantastic Plastic Machine's debut, with this a trio of greatest hits albums that include tracks since the early days, including rare track "Mr. Salesman" (later to become "Dear Mr. Salesman" on the first...
Posted on September 29, 2015 at 23:04. | Released on September 30, 2015
tofubeats "Positive"
tofubeats has a brand new album out now! This includes two songs from his latest mini-album "Stakeholder", as well as a bunch of brand new songs. Featured vocalists include okadada, Kishida Shigeru (Quruli), Nakano Yoshie (Ego-Wrappin'), Komuro Tetsuya & more....
Posted on September 18, 2015 at 22:34. | Released on September 16, 2015
Taketatsu Ayana "Colore Serenata"
Voice actress Taketatsu Ayana has a new album out now, with some tracks written and arranged by Yoshida Tetsuto ("Colore Solfege" and "Marshmallow") and Oki Reiji (ex-Cymbals) ("Princess no dassō keikaku" and "Surf de Go Go Go"), and also a...
Posted on November 24, 2014 at 11:16. | Released on November 19, 2014
Quruli "The Pier"
Band Quruli has an 11th album coming this week! The limited edition comes with a 7"-sized 300-page booklet of all of the songs' sheet music, and also a download code for song "Liberty&Gravity" in an "hi-res" audio format. HMV gives...
Posted on September 14, 2014 at 22:45. | Released on September 17, 2014
Nakano Aya "warui kuse"
Singer Nakano Aya has a new album out now, again produced by DJ Hase Hajimu. This includes a duet with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) ("wakarete mo suki na hito"), and collaborations with Kawakami Tsuyoshi & His Moodmakers ("Whiskey ga,...
Posted on September 4, 2014 at 22:18. | Released on September 3, 2014
Crazy Ken Band "Spark Plug"
Crazy Ken Band has a brand new album coming, the follow-up to last year's "Flying Saucer" (Amazon). This includes latest single "Spark da!", a song used on NHK's "minna no uta". The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of...
Posted on September 1, 2014 at 21:54. | Released on September 3, 2014
Nakano Aya "heta na uso"
Here's a 2nd album by hostess and singer Nakano Aya. Like her previous album "zurui hito", this is produced by DJ Hase Hajimu and consists of various covers in jazz and latin styles. A 7" can also be found at...
Posted on August 4, 2013 at 21:50. | Released on July 24, 2013
Gig report: Vanilla Beans band live with Kaji Hideki
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Until recently, Vanilla Beans had always performed their shows "idol style", singing karaoke over a backtrack of the music. Last year marked their 5th anniversary, and then came 3rd album...
Posted on May 3, 2013 at 20:01.
Gig report: Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong debut live w/ Living Astro
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday, I finally got to see an artist I had been wanting to see for about 15 years, ever since I got "Cloudy Cloud Calculator"! That's right, Takako Minekawa...
Posted on March 26, 2013 at 21:04.
Moonriders "Ciao!"
Veteran new wave band Moonriders has been around 35 years, but they have now announced that they will be going to retire indefinitely at the end of the year. They do have a last, 21st original album coming, appropriately titled...
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 01:23. | Released on December 14, 2011
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set "subete hikari"
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary with this album of covers featuring various female singers such as Halcali, Kojima Mayumi, Toki Asako, Harada Ikuko (clammbon) and more. Covers include ones of Original Love, Scha Dara Parr,...
Posted on February 9, 2011 at 21:58. | Released on February 9, 2011
"Tokyo Idol Festival 2010" (DVD)
Here is a live DVD set (2 discs) of event Tokyo Idol Festival 2010 ("TIF") held last August 7-8, which featured some 45 up-and-coming idol groups. Included are 6 or 7 songs with Vanilla Beans, making this much worth of...
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 23:22. | Released on February 9, 2011
Nakano Aya "zurui hito"
Trying to move on to 2011 but here's something I had failed noticing from last year. 25-year-old hostess Nakano Aya has a debut album released at the end of November that was produced by Hase Hajimu, consisting of various covers...
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 21:30. | Released on November 24, 2010
Gig report: Fantastic Explosion "Sounds In Space" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week, on Friday October 22, was Fantastic Explosion's release party for new mini-album "Sounds In Space". The event was held at heavysick ZERO, a small-sized 2-floor club in Nakano,...
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 11:39.
Omodaka "Cantata No.147" (CD+DVD)
This dirt cheap CD+DVD set by the unit of Terada soichi and Kanazawa Akiko features Comoesta Yaegashi and Paradise Yamamoto on a few tracks. Thanks to Nick for the heads up on this one! Omodaka "Cantata No.147" (CD+DVD) 1. otemoyan...
Posted on December 25, 2006 at 12:49. | Released on November 28, 2006
Fantastic Plastic Machine "FPMB ; Fantastic Plastic Machine Best"
Fantastic Plastic Machine, a definite leader of Japan's club scene, has a 2-CD greatest hits album coming up soon! Aside all those songs we already love, it looks like we will get a few previously unreleased songs and new versions....
Posted on December 13, 2006 at 14:26. | Released on February 7, 2007
Various Artists "Hattori Ryōichi seitan 100 shūnen kinen Album: Hattori Jazz & Jive"
Konishi Yasuharu selects works by composer Hattori Ryōichi (1907-1993), in celebration of his 100th birth anniversary. Art direction and liner notes also by Konishi-san. Various Artists "Hattori Ryōichi seitan 100 shūnen kinen Album: Hattori Jazz & Jive" オムニバス 「服部良一生誕100周年記念アルバム: ハットリ・ジャズ...
Posted on November 29, 2006 at 14:07. | Released on January 24, 2007