RYUTist "Falsetto"
Niigata-based idol group RYUTist has a 4th album finally being released, after having suffered some delays from the virus situation. Including some songs previously released as singles, and also a bunch of brand new ones. It had been 3 years...
Posted on July 8, 2020 at 23:22. | Released on July 14, 2020
Full-text search results for so nice
Sugiurumn "Someone Is Dancing Somewhere"
SUGIURUMN (of The Alexx, ex-Electric Glass Balloon) has released a brand new solo album, featuring a variety of singers: Ani (of Scha Dara Parr), Keiichi Sokabe (Sunny Day Service), Hokuto Asami and Haruna Yusa (both of Have a Nice Day!),...
Posted on August 17, 2024 at 17:39. | Released on August 7, 2024
Negicco "Perfect Sense" (CD/7"x3/Cassette), "anata to Negi With You"
Negicco has released physical editions of their latest mini-album "Perfect Sense". There is a widely distributed CD edition, and also a 7" boxed set (3x7") and cassette editions which are available exclusively at their label's online shop (shipping internationally). The...
Posted on July 28, 2024 at 22:17. | Released on July 17, 2024
RYUTist "WOOT!" (Download)
Niigata-based idol group RYUTist has released a new song titled "WOOT!". The song was written and produced by Satoko Shibata who previously also wrote the songs "Nice Pose" and "Aurora" for the group. Check out the music video below!...
Posted on June 21, 2024 at 00:25. | Released on June 12, 2024
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.
Haruna Yusa "Dreams In Dawn" (Download)
Keyboardist and singer Haruna Yusa (Twitter, Instagram) (a member of bands Kowarekake no Tape Recorders and Have a Nice Day!) has released digitally a 2nd cover of the group Strip Joint. This one is of the song "Consolation" (music...
Posted on August 12, 2023 at 23:27. | Released on August 9, 2023
Haruna Yusa "Liquid Of Summer" (Download)
Keyboardist and singer Haruna Yusa (Twitter, Instagram) (a member of bands Kowarekake no Tape Recorders and Have a Nice Day!) has released a new solo single in which she covers the song "Liquid" originally by her labelmates Strip Joint....
Posted on July 29, 2023 at 00:02. | Released on July 20, 2023
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.40
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 16, 2023 at 22:23.
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.37
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 16, 2023 at 23:56.
Jun Parker "Dancing in the Dark" (Download)
Singer-songwriter Jun Parker, raised in Kanagawa, Japan and based in Portland, Victoria (Australia), makes timeless neo city pop sung in Japanese and English. His brand new song "Dancing in the Dark" is one in English, and it's produced by...
Posted on March 13, 2023 at 12:19. | Released on March 10, 2023
Shonen Knife "Our Best Place"
Shonen Knife has just released a brand new album titled "Our Best Place"! Included are many brand new songs, plus a re-recorded version of the song "Girl's Rock" (first featured on compilation "Girls L.T.D - Girls Like To Dance"), and...
Posted on February 18, 2023 at 00:16. | Released on February 15, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.36
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 17, 2023 at 20:57.
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.
Rukatama "Misrule"
The first album of solo idol Rukatama (Twitter, Instagram) has been released! All songs are originals, with three written about by Rukatama herself and the rest by producer Seki Yoshihiko. The all-star recording members are bassist Iga Wataru, drummer Kitayama...
Posted on December 30, 2022 at 21:58. | Released on December 21, 2022
Record Day 2022 Day 1
Record Day is being held this year again, on November 3 (coinciding with public holiday Culture Day) and also on December 3. Below are some picks that are not to be missed from the November 3 crates, but there's also...
Posted on November 6, 2022 at 12:11. | Released on November 3, 2022
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 Courettes "Daydream" (7"), "Back In Mono: B-sides & Outtakes" (Japanese edition CD)
Denmark-based Brazilian/Danish garage rock band The Courettes are finally coming to Japan this month! To commemorate their visit, they are releasing a Japan-only 7" single of the song "Daydream" with for B-side a version sung in Japanese(!), and also a...
Posted on October 1, 2022 at 21:02. | Released on October 5, 2022
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.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.28
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 10, 2022 at 08:54.
nicely nice "The Adventures of Nicely Nice"
The 1st full-length album of nicely nice, solo unit of Seiki Satō (microstar), which was released on vinyl for "Record Day 2021", has just been released as a CD edition. The jacket features the same illustration by Hisashi Eguchi, slightly...
Posted on June 9, 2022 at 13:17. | Released on June 8, 2022
The Courettes "Back In Mono (B-sides & Outtakes)" (10"/CD)
Following last year's excellent album "Back In Mono", here comes from The Couretttes a collection of B-sides and outtakes from those recording sessions. With three previously unreleased songs ("Daydream", "Tough Like That" and "Talking About My Baby"), it appears also...
Posted on June 7, 2022 at 20:50. | Released on May 27, 2022
Haruna Yusa "Another Story Of Dystopia Romance"
Haruna Yusa (Twitter, Instagram) (also a member of bands Kowarekake no Tape Recorders and Have a Nice Day!) has released a solo album which consists of covers of Have a Nice Day!, band in which she plays keyboards. The album...
Posted on May 22, 2022 at 12:46. | Released on April 20, 2022
Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino "Shuttle Loop"
Rapper duo Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino, who have been active for 20 years, have just released a 7th original full-length album titled "Shuttle Loop". Included are songs featuring Chinza Dopeness, Kan a.k.a. GAMI, and TARO SOUL & KEN THE...
Posted on March 18, 2022 at 19:16. | Released on March 16, 2022
Rie Aono "Rain or Shine"
Singer Rie Aono is releasing a 2nd solo album, the follow-up to "Pastoral" (2017) (Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube). With lyrics written by herself, the music was written, arranged and produced by Seki Yoshihiko in an AOR/city-pop sound. Check out the...
Posted on March 15, 2022 at 20:59. | Released on March 16, 2022
The Courettes "Back In Mono" (Japanese edition CD)
Released last October on Damaged Goods Records (UK), which was followed by a wave of word-of-mouth in Japan, here comes the Japanese edition CD release of The Courettes' 3rd album "Back In Mono" (, Spotify, YouTube Music)! Two bonus tracks...
Posted on February 15, 2022 at 19:19. | Released on February 16, 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
Mukaju Dan "Uminekogazer"
Techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan has just released a 2nd album! Mukaju Dan is a songwriting/production duo formed of Shock Tarō and Ton-chan (both previously of blue marble), and this new album features singer Misaki like on the previous, "Madoromu" (2020)....
Posted on December 5, 2021 at 00:37. | Released on November 24, 2021
Record Day 2021 Day 2
Record Day, previously happening only on November 3 for "Culture Day" (a public holiday), has being held once more this November, on Saturday November 27. Also check out the post about day 1! Items can be ordered online. Below is...
Posted on December 4, 2021 at 00:54. | Released on November 27, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.21
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 12, 2021 at 07:50.
Record Day 2021 Day 1
Record Day, previously happening only on November 3 for "Culture Day" (a public holiday), is being held on two separate days in 2021: November 3 and 27. Items can be ordered online without any delay. Below is a list of...
Posted on November 3, 2021 at 00:44. | Released on November 3, 2021
Interview: The Courettes × Seiki Sato
Interview & translation by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Rock band The Courettes is releasing its 3rd album "Back in Mono" on October 15th, 2021 from Damaged Goods Records (UK), and the album has the particularity of having been mixed...
Posted on October 14, 2021 at 20:00.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.17
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 24, 2021 at 00:26.
Various Artists "Night Tempo presents The Showa Idol Groove"
Night Tempo is a Korean producer and DJ, who in the recent years has gained popularity by revisiting city pop and 80's idol sounds from Japan and giving them his special touch. This is a compilation of many of his...
Posted on May 19, 2021 at 22:57. | Released on May 19, 2021
Interview: BJ Rubin
Interview of BJ Rubin by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) BJ Rubin is the New Yorker who is behind the eclectic TV show titled "The BJ Rubin Show" that's currently being aired on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). The show...
Posted on February 27, 2021 at 22:00.
Sound's Deli "Sound's Deli" (7")
Sound's Deli (Instagram, Twitter) is a 5 MC crew formed of G-YARD, Gypsy Well, Kaleido, Moon Jam and Tim Pepperoni. After the release of two EPs (available digitally) here comes a first vinyl release! The A-side is of their...
Posted on February 26, 2021 at 23:21. | Released on February 26, 2021
"Readymade mirai no ongaku Series - CD Book hen 01 'yoasobi ni tsukarete shimatta'" (CD+Book)
Following the series of 12 monthly 7"'s of the "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") which ended last August, here comes another fun series of collectibles supervised by Konishi Yasuharu! This time the format is a CD and book...
Posted on January 21, 2021 at 11:09. | Released on January 29, 2021
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.
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.
963 "tick tock"
Fukuoka-based idol group 963 (read "kurumi") has just released a 2nd album! Music contributors include Miura Kōshi (Kuchiroro), Kenichirō Nishihara (Unprivate), Shinjō Kenichi (Submarine, Pineapple Club), ikkubaru and more. 963 has two upcoming events that can be viewed online: "IDOL...
Posted on August 30, 2020 at 21:04. | Released on August 28, 2020
Posted on August 30, 2020 at 09:53. | Event held on Wednesday September 23, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
Little Anthony & The Imperials / The Dells "a man and a woman / jeepers creepers" (7")
This is the twelfth and last of this year-long monthly series of 7", named "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") and consisting of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics! This time Konishi chose two covers of movie hit songs,...
Posted on August 26, 2020 at 23:55. | Released on August 29, 2020
Ushio Kensuke "'Japan Sinks: 2020' Original Soundtrack" (2CD)
This is the soundtrack for Netflix anime series "Japan Sinks: 2020" (directed by Yuasa Asaaki), of which the music was produced by Ushio Kensuke (agraph). This soundtrack album includes 41 songs on two CDs, and the first pressing is said...
Posted on August 23, 2020 at 11:43. | Released on August 26, 2020
Cosa Nostra "Jolie / Girl Talk ~never fall in love again~" (12")
Cosa Nostra is releasing a 12" single of two songs released in 1994 and 1996 respectively, "Jolie" (1994) and "Girl Talk" (1996). Included is an acoustic version of "Jolie" and also a remix of "Girl Talk" by Satoshi Tomiie and...
Posted on August 23, 2020 at 11:29. | Released on August 26, 2020
Posted on August 7, 2020 at 22:33. | Event held on Saturday August 15, 2020 at 22:00 (JST)
The Kirby Stone Four / The Anita Kerr Singers "I could have danced all night / one note samba" (7")
At the end of every month comes another of the great monthly 7" series of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics! This is the eleventh installment of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays"). (Find all details in the first...
Posted on July 28, 2020 at 20:53. | Released on July 29, 2020
Nick Palmer / Frank Ifield "it's not unusual / I've got you under my skin" (7")
At the end of every month comes another of the great monthly 7" series of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics! This is the tenth installment of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays"). (Find all details in the first...
Posted on June 30, 2020 at 20:00. | Released on June 29, 2020
Peter & Gordon / Gerry & The Pacemakers "black brown and gold / stranger in the night" (7")
Another month, another edition of the great monthly 7" series of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics! This is the ninth installment of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays"). (Find all details in the first post.) This time Konishi...
Posted on May 29, 2020 at 23:59. | Released on May 29, 2020
Luiz Carlos com conjunto CBS / Johnny (Guitar) Watson "samba na palma da Mao / I'll remember April" (7")
Here's another edition of this great monthly 7" series of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics. This is the eighth installment of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays"). (Find all details in the first post.) Two Brazilian tracks this...
Posted on April 29, 2020 at 11:16. | Released on April 29, 2020
Fujii Yohei "I Wanna Be Your Star / The Ambiguous Logic and Equation" (7")
Indie funkster Fujii Yōhei (SoundCloud) has a new single out now on 7" and digitally! It had been about 7 years since his 2nd album "Banana Games" (2013) (, Spotify). The new songs hint Prince and 80's influences. Don't...
Posted on April 25, 2020 at 23:10. | Released on April 22, 2020
Byron Lee and the Dragonaires / The Foundations "fat back / call me" (7")
Here's another edition of this great monthly 7" series of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics. This is the 7th installment of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays"). (Find all details in the first post.) The A side is...
Posted on March 28, 2020 at 20:56. | Released on March 29, 2020
Recto Berso "No Recto, No Berso"
Singer-songwriter guitar duo Recto Berso have a first full-length album out now! This follows their 2012 mini-album "Nice To Love You!" which was produced by Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB.). The album which was entirely recorded at home contains plenty...
Posted on March 28, 2020 at 19:20. | Released on March 25, 2020
Philosophy no Dance "Sapiosexual"
Funky idol group Philosophy no Dance (aka Dance for Philosophy) has a new remix album about to be released! Included are remixes by FPM, Hyadain, Pasocom Music Club, ikkubaru (Indonesia), Night Tempo (South Korea), among many others. The album comes...
Posted on March 5, 2020 at 22:15. | Released on March 6, 2020
The Ventures / The 4 Instants "what now my love / bogattini" (7")
We're already halfway through this great monthly 7" series of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics. Here comes the 6th installment of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays"). (Find all details in the first post.) This time we get...
Posted on March 1, 2020 at 01:13. | Released on February 29, 2020
Keith / The Arbors "you'll come running back to me / so nice (summer samba)" (7")
This is the 5th of the series of twelve monthly "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") 7"s of songs selected by Konishi Yasuharu, in which he shares all-time classics from his DJ sets. (Find all details in the...
Posted on January 28, 2020 at 22:19. | Released on January 29, 2020
George Cates "12th street rag / stardust / tea for two / frenesi" (7")
This is the 4th of the monthly "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") series of twelve 7"'s of songs selected by Konishi Yasuharu, in which he shares all-time classics from his DJ sets. (Find all details in the...
Posted on December 31, 2019 at 00:12. | Released on December 29, 2019
The Sunrays / The Turtles "have to be myself / too young to be the one" (7")
This is the 3rd of the monthly "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") series of twelve 7"'s of songs selected by Konishi Yasuharu, in which he shares all-time classics from his DJ sets. (Find all details in the...
Posted on November 30, 2019 at 13:38. | Released on November 29, 2019
Billy Strange / Frank Chacksfield "adios / Route 66 (Readymade mirai no ongaku Series)" (7")
This is the 2nd of the monthly "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") series of twelve 7"'s of songs selected by Konishi Yasuharu, in which he shares all-time classics from his DJ sets. (Find all details in the...
Posted on October 29, 2019 at 22:59. | Released on October 29, 2019
Final Spank Happy "mint exorcist" (Download)
Spank Happy's latest (or "final"!?) incarnation is Final Spank Happy! Credited members are Boss the NK (monicker of Kikuchi Naruyoshi) and OD (aka Oda Tomomi of CRCK/LCKS, DCPRG). After having performed shows for over a year, they finally put together...
Posted on October 1, 2019 at 22:36. | Released on December 1, 2019
Ultra-Vybe Japanese hit release re-issues
Long-running indie label and distributor Ultra-Vybe has just made available many of the acclaimed releases from its catalog, and priced them down to only ¥1000 (+tax) each! This includes many rarities. Below is a small selection from their Japanese re-issues....
Posted on July 12, 2019 at 23:18. | Released on July 10, 2019
Various Artists "inu Inch Wan P" (7" shaped picture disc)
This compilation 7" that comes as a beautiful shaped picture disc features 3 dog-themed songs, by Halfby + EMC (Enjoy Music Club), The Natsuyasumi Band and Tōgō Kiyomaru. The disc was illustrated by Norwegian artist Bendik Kaltenborn. Various Artists...
Posted on May 19, 2019 at 02:12. | Released on April 24, 2019
Various Artists "Sazanami Label 15th Anniversary Sampler Vol.1", "Vol.2"
Sazanami Label, an independant label known for introducing many bands of genres such as garage rock and neo-GS among lots more of variety. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, here are two new very nice priced compilations that cover respectively years...
Posted on April 13, 2019 at 01:05. | Released on April 24, 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
Lullatone "Music for Museum Gift Shops"
Nagoya-based unit Lullatone has already been around for 20 years (when counting their early days)! It seems like it was the right time to revisit their vast repertory, as does this 52-song album of almost 2½ hours. All songs were...
Posted on March 30, 2019 at 13:32. | Released on March 22, 2019
Yellow Magic Orchestra "Neue Tanz"
This is a compilation of songs by Yellow Magic Orchestra (and solo ones by each member too) selected by Towa Tei for YMO's 40th anniversary. The album was remastered by Sunahara Yoshinori. The jacket artwork was done by Tomoo Gokita...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:07. | Released on October 17, 2018
Various Artists "Family Vol.2"
New from jazz label Playwright, which has now been around for 5 years, is this nice-priced 2-CD compilation that contains plenty of new recordings, previously unreleased tracks and rarities. Featured are Sunaga t experience, TRI4TH, fox capture plan, orange pekoe,...
Posted on April 12, 2018 at 22:35. | Released on April 11, 2018
Clémentine "Café de POP from Tokyo Paris"
French singer Clémentine has just recently released a new album, a 4th of her "Café" series. Included are some new original songs, but also various covers of Shibuya-kei hit songs with lyrics translated to French (Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Ozawa...
Posted on February 25, 2018 at 21:06. | Released on February 14, 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
Yashiro Aki "yoru no tsuzuki"
Enka singer Yashiro Aki has a 2nd jazz album being released, this time again produced by Konishi Yasuharu! It's been five years since the first, "Songs Around Midnight" (2012). The media is a high-fidelity SHM-CD which plays in regular CD...
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 22:29. | Released on October 11, 2017
kataomoi "hinotori" (7")
Band kataomoi has a new 7" single out now! This was recorded and mixed by Illicit Tsuboi, and the jacket was illustrated by Thai artist wisut ponniit. Nice price too! It's been just over a year since their 2nd...
Posted on September 29, 2017 at 00:13. | Released on September 29, 2017
The Aprils "Horror Survivor"
The Aprils has a new single coming this week! Title song "Horror Survivor" is a brand new collaboration with The Lady Spade, who was previously featured on "Magical Girls". The B-side is a self-cover of "KIRA×KIRA×KIRA×KIRA", a song that...
Posted on July 16, 2017 at 00:42. | Released on July 19, 2017
DJ Hasebe "DJ HASEBE Butter Smooth - Tokyo 90's Groove -"
DJ Hasebe (official Facebook page) has a new mix album out now of 90's songs revolving around Shibuya-kei. This includes a brand new original song that features Nomiya Maki! DJ Hasebe "DJ HASEBE Butter Smooth - Tokyo 90's Groove -"...
Posted on February 24, 2017 at 00:10. | Released on February 22, 2017
Various Artists "Best of Pied Piper Days Vol.2"
Pied Piper House (official Twitter) was an influential record shop in Tokyo from 1975 to 1989. It has been revived for a limited time on the 5th floor of Tower Records Shibuya since last summer, first for an expected 6...
Posted on January 22, 2017 at 15:36. | Released on January 25, 2017
unBORDE all stars "Feel + unBORDE Greatest Hits"
unBORDE, the Warner Music Japan sub-label that hosts Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, CAPSULE, tofubeats and lots more, is releasing a greatest hits nice-priced compilation that includes new song "Feel". The song is a collaboration featuring lots of the label's artists totaling...
Posted on March 6, 2016 at 14:33. | Released on March 9, 2016
De De Mouse "farewell holiday!"
De De Mouse has released this month a 5th album, follow-up to "sky was dark" (2012). This album features many acoustic instruments. Included is a download card that gives access to bonus remixes, to which one song is being added...
Posted on December 30, 2015 at 19:18. | Released on December 2, 2015
Shoko "A Love Letter to London"
Shoko, a multi-artist based in London and Tokyo, has a first full-length album out now! Kaji Hideki, her husband, wrote all songs except for a cover of Saint Etienne's "London Belongs to Me". The album was recorded in Tokyo, Malmö...
Posted on October 10, 2015 at 16:08. | Released on October 7, 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
Various Artists "Zher the Zoo Yoyogi 10th Anniversary Compilation Album 'Here Come The Girl'zoo'"
Zher the ZOO (a venue in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku) has been around for 10 years already. Here's a nice-priced compilation of various female vocal songs by artists familiar to the venue. Most of these are rare or brand new recordings. Featured...
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 13:51. | Released on March 18, 2015
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
Various Artists "Women in Music selected by Cibo Matto"
Cibo Matto are back this year with new album "Hotel Valentine", and here's a nice-priced 2-CD compilation of songs by female artists and female-fronted bands from Japan and the world, selected by the two. Featured are Buffalo Daughter, mi-gu, Charisma.com,...
Posted on May 30, 2014 at 00:20. | Released on June 4, 2014
Nakatsuka Takeshi with Iga-Bang BB "Play That Funky Music / shiroi mori" (7")
This is the 4th and last of Nakatsuka Takeshi's 7" series from his big band-backed "Big Band Back Beat" album. This time you'll find a cover of Wild Cherry's "Play The Funky Music" (1976), and Brazil-inspired Japanese band NOVO's "shiroi...
Posted on May 3, 2014 at 19:31. | Released on April 30, 2014
Nakatsuka Takeshi "It's Your World / Be Nice To Me" (7")
Nakatsuka Takeshi has yet another 7" single out now, of two songs from latest album "Big Band Back Beat" feat. big band Iga-Bang BB. Included are covers of Gil Scott-Heron's "It's Your World" and Todd Rundgren's "Be Nice To Me"....
Posted on April 8, 2014 at 23:16. | Released on April 9, 2014
kotringo "dare ka watashi o"
Here's a nice-priced single by pianist kotringo. The title track is the theme for TV drama "ashita, mama ga inai". Watch the video below, and hear an audio sample of the other song at HMV. A new album seems to...
Posted on March 7, 2014 at 23:01. | Released on March 5, 2014
Various Artists "Tonchi Compi"
Tonchi Records is an indies label that's been around for some 8 years and that's run by members of kataomoi and Horizon Yamashita takuhaibin. This all-genre compilation is filled of previously unreleased tracks, with kataomoi, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, cero, and many more....
Posted on January 13, 2014 at 10:00. | Released on January 1, 2014
Nakatsuka Takeshi with Iga-Bang BB "Big Band Back Beat"
2013 celebrated a 10th anniversary year of the solo career of Nakatsuka Takeshi (ex-Qypthone), seeing the release of latest album "Lyrics". Then came this "Big Band Back Beat" album, entirely backed by a large brass band, and full of covers...
Posted on January 3, 2014 at 19:50. | Released on January 8, 2014
"Nintendo Famicom Music"
Need a NES music fix? Try this recent compilation of music from hit Nintendo games. What distinguishes it from previous releases is that the media conforms to the high quality "Blu-spec CD2" standard (plays in normal CD players), a first...
Posted on December 31, 2013 at 12:34. | Released on December 4, 2013
Hair Stylistics "Music For The Murder Festa"
Hair Stylistics (SoundCloud), aka Nakahara Masaya, has a new album out now! This is a beat-oriented album said to remind of the sound of his 90's works as Violent Onsen Geisha. The album was created without any computer involved, originally...
Posted on September 13, 2013 at 22:48. | Released on September 11, 2013
Yashiro Aki "yume no yoru Live In New York"
This is a live recording of Yashiro Aki's first jazz show abroad, following the release of album "Songs Around Midnight" produced by Konishi Yasuharu. The show was held at Birdland in New York on March 27 this year, and featured...
Posted on August 18, 2013 at 01:04. | Released on August 21, 2013
Gig report: Playtime Rock, BANK live at Saravah Tokyo
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday July 12 was a show of Playtime Rock, the Nagasaki-based band of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog). Nagasaki being part of the Kyūshū island in the south of...
Posted on July 17, 2013 at 00:59.
RF "Fill the bill"
Jazz band RF covers hip-hop classics with their signature live band sound. This follows De De Mouse-produced cover album of De De Mouse influences (here). For audio samples, checkout Amazon MP3 (U.S.). RF "Fill the bill" (Original artists in parentheses)...
Posted on April 1, 2013 at 22:11. | Released on April 3, 2013
Gig report: Monochromoon: Tabuchi Jun, Nosa Lena, Nacional, DeliciouSweets
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On March 6 was event "Monochromoon!" at yumemiru kimiomou (aka Moon Romantic). I wanted to go there for at least 3 reasons. The first was to see Nosa Lena, a...
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 23:59.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Ninjya Re Bang Bang"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's next single is titled "Ninjya Re Bang Bang", song that's already being performed on stage in her ongoing world tour that dropped by Belgium, France and U.K. in February. The song is also used in a TV...
Posted on March 10, 2013 at 16:58. | Released on March 20, 2013
Gig report: Saitō Neon Sign, Love & Revolution, Emmy Lee & The Psyzans
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday January 6, I went to an event at Koenji U.F.O. Club part of a series celebrating the 17th anniversary of the popular GS (Group Sounds)/garage rock oriented venue....
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 00:11.
Panda 1/2 "bokura ga Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte e tabi ni deru riyū" (Download)
Panda 1/2 have a new song about their recent trip to Sri Lanka. It's available for download on iTunes worldwide, and also Amazon MP3 Japan & U.S. and Japan indies DRM-free site OTOTOY. Panda 1/2's singer Fujioka Minami will be...
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 22:54. | Released on November 14, 2012
Recto Berso "Nice To Love You!"
Recto Berso is a band of two guys who love vintage instruments, especially Beatles-era Gibson guitars. They even go as far as using recording equipment from back in the day to create sounds of the same texture. For that reason...
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 22:06. | Released on August 8, 2012
