The Pen Friend Club "Best Of The Pen Friend Club 2018-2024"
The Pen Friend Club recently released a greatest hits album covering their 2018 to 2024 period, which included the presence of three different vocalists over time: Yuka Fujimoto, Megumi and current singer Niina. Included are 21 tracks, many of which...
Posted on December 8, 2024 at 15:02. | Released on November 6, 2024
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
Interview: The Courettes in Japan
Interview & translation by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Just one year after "Back in Mono", The Courettes made it to Japan to entertain, meet and greet their fans in Japan who seem to have been increasing very quickly. In...
Posted on March 28, 2023 at 12:32.
The Pen Friend Club "The Pen Friend Club" (12")
After a few delays, The Pen Friend Club's latest 8th album "The Pen Friend Club" is finally arriving on vinyl! It's the first but also last album featuring singer Megumi who had joined three years ago but is leaving the...
Posted on February 20, 2023 at 23:59. | Released on February 22, 2023
Cassette Store Day 2022
Cassette Store Day is happening this year again, on Saturday October 15, and many albums are being released in the nostalgic format. Below are a few picks, a bit coincidentally all from the KiliKiliVilla label (which puts a lot of...
Posted on October 14, 2022 at 22:38. | Released on October 15, 2022
The Pen Friend Club "The Pen Friend Club"
The Pen Friend Club, who are celebrating this year their 10th anniversary, have released a brand new 8th album, self-titled "The Pen Friend Club"! It's the first album featuring latest singer Megumi, and it also entirely consists of original songs,...
Posted on September 7, 2022 at 22:58. | Released on September 7, 2022
Yukihiro Takahashi "Grand Espoir" (CD/12")
This is a compilation album of Yukihiro Takahashi (YMO, METAFIVE) from 1980 to 1985. The songs were selected and remastered by Yoshinori Sunahara (METAFIVE). The CD edition has two discs, the first one of music from YT's own albums and...
Posted on October 29, 2021 at 23:13. | Released on October 27, 2021
Posted on August 29, 2021 at 11:15. | Event held on Friday September 3, 2021 at 21:00 (JST)
RSD Drops 2021 Day 1
Record Store Day is happening this year, as two "RSD Drops" on June 12 and July 17! It seems in good shape looking at the impressive list of releases, with many good ones. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST)...
Posted on June 10, 2021 at 00:16. | Released on June 12, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.14
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 February 25, 2021 at 01:11.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.13
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 28, 2021 at 01:13.
Posted on January 13, 2021 at 20:41. | Event held on Sunday January 24, 2021 at 19:00 (JST)
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.
MIKKO "Christmas 2020" (Download)
Yes, it's that time of the year! 🎄 Singer-songwriter MIKKO has just released a new Christmas EP digitally, titled "Christmas 2020", which includes a song in collaboration with TWEEDEES ("Happy Xmas With You") and also a cover of Paul...
Posted on December 4, 2020 at 20:20. | Released on November 27, 2020
Sally Kubota Group "Twiggy Twiggy c/w Le Canon De Manon" (7"+Download code)
Bassist Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, Les 5-4-3-2-1) has just turned 60 this summer, and his latest project is Sally Kubota Group, a trio that features Nakayama Tsutomu (The Scooters) on organ, Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums, and himself on...
Posted on November 28, 2020 at 23:45. | Released on December 2, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.11
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 25, 2020 at 23:58.
Posted on November 24, 2020 at 21:03. | Event held on Wednesday November 25, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
Various Artists "Magical Connection 2020"
This is a compilation of new generation Shibuya-kei, compiled and supervised by Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). Featured are a few brand new recordings, including new SOLEIL covers by microstar (songwriters of "Baby Boo"), Tweedees...
Posted on November 23, 2020 at 10:40. | Released on November 25, 2020
Interview: Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi
Original interview text by Takashi Ikegami Translated from Japanese by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi (below "Mimi") is an interesting artist from actually many perspectives. First, there is the one where she expresses original works as the...
Posted on November 2, 2020 at 00:25.
Posted on August 6, 2020 at 13:11. | Event held on Sunday August 16, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
Orland "Cut Life A City" (Download)
Nagoya-based synth-pop band Orland has just released a new EP that consists of 4 songs, including one featuring singer Takakoh. In terms of mini-albums this follows "Luv Connection E.P." (2015) (CDJapan, , Spotify), since which a few digital singles...
Posted on May 3, 2020 at 22:03. | Released on April 22, 2020
Towa Tei "Arbeit" (2CD), "Future Listening!" (2x12")
Towa Tei is celebrating the 25th anniversary since his solo debut (album "Future Listening!" released in October 1994). Taking part in the celebrations are the releases of 2CD album "Arbeit", a collection of mainly production or remix works for other...
Posted on November 4, 2019 at 15:16. | Released on November 6, 2019
Omodaka "Hietsuki Bushi" (7")
Omodaka, unique artist who blends chiptune and Japanese traditional minyō singing, has a new 7" out now! "Hietsuki Bushi" is a song from album "Sanosa" (2011), while the B-side is a previously unreleased mambo disco funk track titled "Gujoh...
Posted on April 24, 2019 at 00:40. | Released on April 24, 2019
Gig report: "Godzilla Legend -- Music of Akira Ifukube" in New York
Text and photos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound(Except where indicated) Correspondent Nicholas D. Kent went to the "Godzilla Legend" concert held recently in New York. Here's his report! "Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube" April...
Posted on May 14, 2017 at 10:35.
Pizzicato Five "Couples", "Bellissima!"
The two first albums of Pizzicato Five, "Couples" (1987) and "Bellissima!" (1988), are being re-issued! Both were newly remastered from the original master tapes under the supervision of Konishi Yasuharu himself, and are pressed as high-quality Blu-spec CD2 (they play...
Posted on August 23, 2016 at 21:59. | Released on August 24, 2016
Towa Tei "94-14", "94-14 Covers"
Towa Tei continues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his solo career. Following remix collection "Towa Tei 94-14 Remix" released in July, here comes greatest hits album "94-14" and best covers album "94-14 Covers". The latter includes 6 brand new...
Posted on August 24, 2014 at 13:16. | Released on September 3, 2014
Towa Tei "Towa Tei 94-14 Remix"
This new release from Towa Tei is a collection of remixes of his songs from over his 20 years active as a solo artist. Remixes by Cornelius, Hosono Haruomi (YMO), and many more are included, as well as a remix...
Posted on July 20, 2014 at 23:37. | Released on July 23, 2014
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: Yellow Magic Orchestra U.S. shows, with Cibo Matto, Buffalo Daughter, Towa Tei
Text, photos and videos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Two reports of Yellow Magic Orchestra shows held in California last month (June 26 at Hollywood Bowl, L.A., with Cibo Matto, Buffalo Daughter and Towa...
Posted on July 23, 2011 at 20:13.
Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah"
Here's what looks like a pretty good mix CD on the Shibuya-kei perspective, mixed by DJ Souljah. Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah" 1. WISE × underslowjams / City Lights 2. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra / utsukushiku...
Posted on June 19, 2011 at 14:32. | Released on June 22, 2011
Halcali "Tokyo Connection"
Here's a new mini-album from Halcali! Included are several new songs, a remix by 80KIDZ and a self-cover of early song "Strawberry Chips". Shibuya-kei fans will rejoice that new song "Girl!Girl!Girl!" is produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi with lyrics written by...
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 22:37. | Released on February 9, 2011
Yasuda Toshiyuki "Children's Songs 2050"
In his new album, Yasuda Toshiyuki (MySpace) (early Fantastic Plastic Machine) covers children's songs from around the world into his wonderful electronic sounds, featuring various singers including ROBO*BRAZILEIRA of course. Yasuda Toshiyuki "Children's Songs 2050" 1. Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman...
Posted on November 18, 2009 at 23:23. | Released on November 25, 2009
Towa Tei "middle and mellow of TOWA TEI"
Here comes a greatest hits collection of Towa Tei selected by editor-in-chief of magazine Barfout! Towa Tei "middle and mellow of TOWA TEI" 1. Let Me Know (from "Let Me Know" single) 2. Technova-Opaz Flying High Remix Ver.3 (from "Future...
Posted on May 18, 2009 at 22:28.
Tokyo Boys Bravo, DJ chipple in Koenji
Announcement! / 告知 I will be DJing at Kōenji café-bar Connection on September 12, in an event focusing on techno-pop of the 80's. I plan to play techno-kayō, vocal pop of the 80's either produced by or reminding of YMO,...
Posted on August 31, 2008 at 13:47. | Released on September 12, 2008
Various Artists "Joyful Grooves!: Exceed"
This all-genre club jazz compilation, while focusing on foreign artists, includes tracks by Japanese club artists Sindbad, Halfby, Fujisawa Shiho and Boot Beat. Various Artists "Joyful Grooves!: Exceed" オムニバス 「ジョイフル・グルーヴス! イクシード」 1. Don't Take It Too Hard 2. Eastside Connection...
Posted on March 21, 2008 at 11:41. | Released on March 21, 2008
Towa Tei "Future Listening! + Future Recall 3"
Towa Tei's classic album "Future Listening!" is being re-released in a remastered version, and that together with a new remix CD, "Future Recall 3"! Towa Tei "Future Listening! + Future Recall 3" テイ・トウワ 「Future Listening! + Future Recall 3」 CD1:...
Posted on January 31, 2007 at 11:56. | Released on April 18, 2007
Rocketman "Love, sea & music"
Rocketman, aka comedian Fukawa Ryō, is back in music with a 3rd album under the monicker. His first two albums were produced by Konishi Yasuharu, and this one keeps a Readymade connection by involving Konishi-san's programmer Yoshida Tetsuto! Also co-producing...
Posted on June 6, 2006 at 11:22. | Released on August 2, 2006
Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr "Denki Groove toka Scha Dara Parr"
One week after the release of their second single, "sei☆ojisan", comes out a full-length, 13-track album! Both a limited and regular edition will be released at the same time. The limited edition contains a bonus DVD for only ¥300 more....
Posted on May 6, 2005 at 10:29. | Released on June 29, 2005
