Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Following the mini albums "Disco Akari" and "New Folk", here comes Machi Akari's take on techno! This first of two techno-themed consecutive releases contains two new songs, one in collaboration with Cherryboy Function ("Mi-chan wa onekoyoshi") and the other with Sigh Society (a Christmas song titled "Christmas Tree o katazukenai de").

The next release, "Machi Akari Techno Phase II", will be following soon on December 4. Stay tuned!

Machi Akari has also been releasing new songs digitally at a fast pace, many of which are sung in English for her international audience. The latest of those is "Egg On My Face" (, Spotify) out earlier this month.

Machi Akari "Machi Akari Techno Phase I"
町あかり 「町あかり テクノ編 前編」

1. Mi-chan wa onekoyoshi
2. Christmas Tree o katazukenai de
3. Mi-chan wa onekoyoshi ~Original Karaoke~
4. Christmas Tree o katazukenai de ~Original Karaoke~

Hotwax Trax HOTWAXCD-2013
Out now (11/20), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

This year again, Record Day was held earlier this month on November 3, coinciding with the public holiday Culture Day.

Here are some picks from the many releases of this year. The full list can be found here.

Cruisic "Euphoria" (12")

1st full-length album of human-driven electronic band Cruisic, which uses live drums and sequencing. Included are covers of 808 State's "Pacific 707" and Azymuth's "Jazz Carnival". Also available digitally (Bandcamp, , YouTube Music, Spotify, OTOTOY).

A1. Pacific 707 -Full Length Version-
A2. Come With Me
A3. Snake Eyes
A4. Time Will Tell
B5. Jazz Carnival
B6. Inspector Norse -Full Length Version-
B7. Floating -Full Length Version-
B8. Finally -Full Length Version-

Flower Records FLRL-021
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan with Tetsuro Yafune Trio "Swim! Taiyakikun / YA.KU.MI" (7")
DJみそしるとMCごはんwith矢舟テツロー・トリオ 「およげ！たいやきくん / YA.KU.MI」
(Japanese title: "oyoge! Taiyaki-kun / YA.KU.MI.")

Collaboration single of DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan and Tetsurō Yafune Trio. The A-side is a class kids' song from TV show "hirake! ponkikki", while the B-side is a new original (yakumi means "condiments"). The single is available digitally with instrumentals (Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

A. Swim! Taiyakikun
B. YA.KU.MI

Octave OTS-363
Out now (11/3), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kaoru Inoue "Rhythms of Dedication" (12")

New EP. Includes a remix by Buenos Aires (Argentina) artist SidiRum, and also self-reworks and previously unreleased songs. The first 5 songs were also released digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A1. Nagareru SidiRum Remix
A2. Nagareru Anatomy
A3. La Isla Secreta
B1. Karyobinga
B2. Hoshifuru Drums
B3. Cityscape 4:20 am Harajuku

Deep Ground Records DGR-003
Out now (11/3), ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Hideki Kaji "Being Pure At Heart" (12")
カジヒデキ 「BEING PURE AT HEART ～ ありのままでいいんじゃない」
(Japanese title: Kaji Hideki "BEING PURE AT HEART ~ ari no mama de iin janai")

Vinyl release of Hideki Kaji's latest album.

A1. Being Pure At Heart
A2. We Are The Borders
A3. April Fool
A4. Preppy Peach
A5. Naked Coffee Affogato
A6. Looking For A Girl Like You
B1. Don't Wanna Wake Up!!
B2. Summer Sunday Smile
B3. Claire's Knee
B4. Walkin' After Dinner
B5. A Room Without You
B6. Dreams Never End

Blue Boys Club / AWDR/LR2 DDJB-91251
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Shino Kobayashi x small garden "Soundtrack 'Mijn Nijntje'" (7")
小林しの x small garden 「サウンドトラック "私のナインチェ"」

Sequel to Shino Kobayashi's latest album "The Wind Carries Scents Of Flowers" released last spring. It comes as a collaboration with small garden, who had appeared on two songs of the album and this time did all sound production upon which Shino recites a short story. The EP is a fictional soundtrack. There's a sampler clip on YouTube.

A1. Garden's Gate
A2. Mijn Nijntje
B1. A Tsui A-KI
B2. summer in blue jelly
B3. Garden's Gate part 2

blue-very label blvd-051
Out now (11/3), ¥2200 (excl. tax)
Order: Tower, HMV, Bandcamp

the Tiger "Get Ready" (12")

Vinyl edition of the Tiger's 1st album "Get Ready", first released on CD & digitally in March. Apparently, a new song titled "Ophelia" has been added to the tracklist.

A1. Kanamachi
A2. My town
A3. While smoking a cigarette
A4. Tell me
A5. Travelin'
B1. Hard worker's song
B2. A melody I can't remember
B3. Last night
B4. Ophelia
B5. I can not stand it

Just Luck Records/DIW JLDU-2
Out now (11/3), ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Towa Tei "ZOUNDTRACKS" (12")

Vinyl edition of the instrumental album released last year.

A1. MUSE
A2. FEATHER
A3. FRESH!
A4. ANANAS
A5. 2BAD
A6. OPEN
B1. TIPSY
B2. TOURIST REPORT
B3. HANEDA
B4. CHOP SUEY
B5. AMIKO
B6. COINCIDENCE

Machbeat.com MBLP-2411
Out now (11/3), ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "City Music Tokyo anagram" (12")

Vinyl edition of the compilation of the "City Music Tokyo" series selected by Cunimondo Takiguchi. "City Music Tokyo anagram" was first released on CD in June (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower), and a digital edition of selected tracks is also available (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

(Title / Artist)
A1. Love Is Easy / Ami Ozaki
A2. CRAZY BABY / Linda Yamamoto
A3. Maya maya Beach / Yuko Kanai
A4. Okinawan Passion / Sadao China
A5. Nagisa No Unlucky Boys / Seikō Itō
B1. Wasurechau Hitotoki / Fishmans
B2. Chotto Tsurainda / THE BEATNIKS
B3. KOWLOON DAILY / Parachute
B4. SHADOW ON THE WALL / Takuya Takahashi
B5. Call Back / FAIRCHILD

Pony Canyon PCJA-00157
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Amaiwana "New Shibuya / New Wave" (12")
アマイワナ 「新渋谷 / 新電波」
(Japanese title: "shin Shibuya / shin denpa")

2-in-1 of Amaiwana's two recent EPs. Includes a collaboration with Maki Nomiya. Mixed & mastered by Ginger Root.

Side A "New Shibuya"
A1. She's so cute
A2. Shanghai Girl
A3. First Date
A4. COVER GIRLS (feat. Maki Nomiya)
Side B "New Wave"
B1. Seesaw Game
B2. Taiwan Girl
B3. Virtual Date
B4. LOVELY BOY

0101RECORDS/HMV record shop HRLP-351
Out now (11/3), ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Amaiwana "Sweet Sweet Sweet" (12")
アマイワナ 「SWEET SWEET SWEET」

Previous mini-album of Amaiwana, including a cover of Pizzicato Five's "Message Song". Also mixed & mastered by Ginger Root.

A1. Love Robber (Album ver.)
A2. Chocolate Lemonade
A3. Jane
A4. Shiny Girl
B1. Shanghai Rendezvous
B2. Sweet Trap
B3. Message Song

0101RECORDS/HMV record shop HRLP-350
Out now (11/3), ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Q.A.S.B. "kono machi de (Shuya Okino Edit) / kono machi de" (7")
Q.A.S.B. 「この街で (Shuya Okino Edit) / この街で」

Single cut from Q.A.S.B.'s recent 6th album "Will", including a new edit by Shūya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive) who wrote the song's lyrics. The new edit is available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY). The album "Will" was released in August on vinyl and digitally.

A. kono machi de (Shuya Okino Edit)
B. kono machi de

HMV record shop HR7S319
Out now (11/3), ¥2100 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

PUNPEE "Family Sale (feat. Father)" (7")
PUNPEE 「Family Sale (feat. 親父)」

New single by rapper Punpee, in a collaboration with his dad! Check out the music video below. The song is also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

A. Family Sale (feat. Father)
B. Family Sale (feat. Father) (Instrumental)

Summit, Inc. SMMT-232
Out now (11/3), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Sekai" (2x12")
クレイジーケンバンド 「世界」

Vinyl edition of the 2023 album.

A1. Cosmic Diver
A2. eye catch * transit lounge
A3. what the world needs now is love
A4. SHHH!
B1. Oriental Hotel
B2. Mandarin Palace
B3. eye catch * CKB23
B4. Soul Love
B5. Sweet Vibration - CKB tune -
C1. Nokoriga
C2. Sweet Soul Train
C3. TERIYAKI
C4. you and me and vinyl
D1. Night has a Thousand Eyes
D2. Yokohama Bimiraisan
D3. eye catch * airport limousine
D4. Sightseeing

Universal Music UMJK-9149
Out now (11/3), ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Jyuei" (2x12")
クレイジーケンバンド 「樹影」

Vinyl edition of the 2022 album.

A1. Almond
A2. Dubai VR Tour
A3. Squall
A4. Gora
B1. Sarah
B2. Soramimi
B3. Orange Cinnamon Sunset
B4. Jyuei - Eye Catch -
B5. The Roots
C1. Me and Healey and Harley
C2. Honmoku Funk
C3. Yokosuka Rainy Night
C4. My face is wet
D1. Daini Jyuei - Eye Catch -
D2. Koutai
D3. Honmoku Chowmien
D4. Kowamote
D5. Almond Jelly Annin Tofu - Dessert -

Universal Music UMJK-9147
Out now (11/3), ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi & Flying Mimi Band "Sea Flight" (12")
小林泉美 & Flying Mimi Band 「Sea Flight」

Re-issue of the album first released in October 1978, the last of Flying Mimi Band.

A1. Concrete Wave
A2. Angel Sky
A3. Naze
A4. Summer Wine
B1. Whisper Of Shell
B2. Sea Flight
B3. Carnival
B4. It's Raining

Universal Music PROT-7299
Out now (11/3), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Vibrastone / Kyōko Isobe "ichinichijū boke- / shitsuren shigan" (7")
ビブラストーン／磯辺恭子 「一日中ボケーッ／失恋志願」

Two more songs that appeared on the "City Music Tokyo anagram" CD compilation.

A. Vibrastone / ichinichijū boke-
B. Kyōko Isobe / shitsuren shigan

Pony Canyon PCKA-00024
Out now (11/3), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Wink Music Service is a group started last year, formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). Following the release of four 7" singles (the first of which was re-issued as an 8cm CD), here finally comes a full-length album! Included are all songs from the 7" singles, which had quickly went rare. While all songs feature the singing of Keitaro Takanami, on most he is accompanied by a guest girl lead singer, appearing in turn through the album: Angie Hiyori, Lin Oberndorff (of idol unit ww) and Sana Shiratori (of idol group Lit Moon, ex-Sakura Gakuin).

The songs include covers of Hippy Hippy Shakes ("My Funny Honey", a song of which the music was written by Keitaro, with lyrics by Yasuharu Konishi), Hideki Kaji ("La Boom ~ My Boom Is Me"), Clémentine ("Mademoiselle Aimée", of which Keitaro wrote the music), France Gall ("Der Computer Nr. 3"), and Tomoyo Harada ("Romance"). The other songs were written by Sally Kubota ("It girls" and "Fantastic Girl"), Keitaro Takanami ("Baby Doll" and "Spirit of the Beehive"), and also arranger Yumi Okada ("To Rome With Love").

The CD edition of the album comes with a random trading card, of one of the three girls, or a slightly rare one of Sally and Keitaro.

Wink Music Service "It Girls"

1. It girls
2. To Rome With Love
3. My Funny Honey
4. Baby Doll
5. La Boom ~ My Boom Is Me
6. Mademoiselle Aimée
7. Fantastic Girl
8. Der Computer Nr. 3
9. Spirit of the Beehive
10. Romance

Vivid Sound VSCD9741
Out 11/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"To Rome With Love / My Funny Honey" sampler clip

"Fantastic Girl / Der Computer Nr. 3" sampler clip

HALLCA has released a 3rd solo album, titled "WAVE". Included are the previously released songs "Night Driver", "Sugar", "Mind's Eye" and "Romantic" (a collaboration with band kukatachii), and many brand new songs.

This follows album "Paradise Gate" (2021), after which also came EP "Seaside Bar" (2022).

This Saturday, November 16, HALLCA will hold a release & birthday party at Shimokitazawa Daisy Bar. Details and tickets can be found here.

HALLCA "WAVE"

1. Mind's Eye
2. Midnight yūei
3. futari no Reason
4. Airy Step feat. Funkcuts
5. Wave of Love
6. Night Driver
7. Airport
8. Sugar
9. Romantic
10. Memory Collage

Magellan-Blue Records
Out now (11/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Romantic"

"Wave of Love" short ver.

Self-produced idol usabeni (a.k.a Beni Usakura) and rapper/dancer assun (𝕏, Instagram) have collaborated just recently on a new song titled "Idol Of Surf (Summer 2024)". The song was released digitally to coincide with a tour to Bangkok they were part of last month.

The music and lyrics were written by Hyoe Yasuhara who has also contributed to Beni's latest EP "AIR". He also did the camera work in the music video below, which was directed and edited by Beni. The jacket was also designed by Beni.

A special event featuring usabeni to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut will be held this Tuesday, November 5, at Shibuya Loft Heaven (details). Find her full schedule on her official site.

usabeni & assun "Idol Of Surf (Summer 2024)"
usabeni & あっすん 「Idol Of Surf (Summer 2024)」

Hyme Beat
Out now (10/21)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Perfume has released a brand new album. "Nebula Romance: Part 1" is a sci-fi-themed concept album and the first half of a duology. Included are the songs "Love Cloud" and "Sumikko Disco" from last year, "IMA IMA IMA" that was the theme song of the "Perfume Disco-Graphy" exhibition held recently, and "The Light" released in May, plus also many brand new songs. As always, the music is written and produced by Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE). Check out the music video of "Cosmic Treat" below!

Having been made available in advance digitally, the album is now arriving on CD in regular and limited editions. The limited editions have special packaging and include a Blu-ray or DVD. This album is the follow-up to "Plasma" (2022).

Also check out the release official page.

A tour of Japan will start on December 28 and continue until April 2024. Find details here. 2024 is the 25th anniversary of Perfume (!) and also the 20th anniversary of their major debut.

Perfume "Nebula Romance: Part I"
Perfume 「ネビュラロマンス 前編」
(Japanese title: "Nebula Romance zenpen")

1. The Light
2. Love Cloud
3. Cosmic Treat
4. Starlight Dreams
5. Ima Ima Ima
6. Sumikko Disco
7. Morning Cruising
8. Time Capsule
9. Jikūka
10. Mobius

Blu-ray/DVD (Limited editions only)
1. Perfume View
2. Nebula Romance: Part 1 -Teaser-
3. The Light -Perfume "COD3 OF P3RFUM3 ZOZ5&Quot; Asia Tour 2024-
4. IMA IMA IMA -Perfume 25th & 20th Anniversary Live Performance "IMA IMA IMA" Powered By NTT-
5 [Blu-Ray] Perfumeのただただラジオが好きだからレイディオ! 6 前篇

Limited Blu-ray edition
Universal Music UPCP-9038
Out now (10/30), ¥5900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (14% off *), HMV, Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Limited DVD edition (Region 2 NTSC)
Universal Music UPCP-9039
Out now (10/30), ¥5400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (14% off *), HMV, Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal Music UPCP-1010
Out now (10/30), ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Cosmic Treat"

Limited edition sampler clip

Singer-songwriter Amaiwana has released this month two 4-song EPs. Titled "New Shibuya" and "New Wave", they take inspiration from Shibuya-kei, new wave and techno-pop. "New Shibuya" includes the song "Cover Girl" which features Maki Nomiya (Portable Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five). Check out the music videos below! Both releases were mixed & mastered by Ginger Root.

Both of these will be released as one vinyl LP for Record Day 2024. Pre-orders can be made at HMV, Tower.

On her previous mini-album "Sweet Sweet Sweet" (2023), Amaiwana had covered Pizzicato Five's "Message Song". This mini-album, also mixed & mastered by Ginger Root, will also be released on vinyl for Record Day 2024. It can be pre-ordered at HMV, Tower.

Amaiwana is currently touring the U.S. opening for Ginger Root, with remaining dates in Austin (Oct. 29), San Antonio (Oct. 30), El Paso (Nov. 1), Phoenix (Nov. 2) and Los Angeles (Nov. 3). Find ticket info here. In Tokyo, Amaiwana can be seen in a solo show on November 24 at Shibuya O-Nest (details).

Amaiwana "New Shibuya" (Download)
アマイワナ 「新渋谷」
(Japanese title: "shin Shibuya")

1. She's so cute
2. Shanghai Girl
3. First Date
4. COVER GIRLS (feat. Maki Nomiya)

0101Records COKM-45316
Out now (10/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Amaiwana "New Wave" (Download)
アマイワナ 「新電波」
(Japanese title: "shin denpa")

1. Seesaw Game
2. Taiwan Girl
3. Virtual Date
4. LOVELY BOY

0101Records COKM-45317
Out now (10/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"COVER GIRLS (feat. Maki Nomiya)"

"Seesaw Game"

"Shanghai Girl"

Hazy Sour Cherry (Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp) has just released a "boo"-kind of surprise new album, titled "Hazy Horror Party"! It's the original soundtrack of a fictional horror movie, and has dropped in time for Halloween. Read more about the album and each of the songs at Bandcamp. The album jacket was illustrated by former drummer Karin.

Available mainly on Bandcamp, in digital and colored LP editions, it can also be found on download/streaming platforms. The LP comes from UK-based label Damnably. Within Japan it is expected to be released on November 13.

A rehearsal studio performance of songs from the album can be watched on YouTube.

Hazy Sour Cherry's next show in Tokyo is this Friday, October 25, at Shimokitazawa Live Haus, also featuring bands The Dahlia, The Perry and The Relaxins. Then, they wlll go to Okinawa for two shows over the weekend. They can later be seen again in Tokyo on Friday, November 8 at Hatagaya Club Heavy Sick. Find all of their live information on their official site.

Hazy Sour Cherry "Hazy Horror Party"

A1. Bloody Night
A2. Zombilly Rave (till someone call police!)
A3. Monster's Party
A4. Skit: From Ghost MoTel
B1. Help me! Hitchcock
B2. The Dracula Bop
B3. Hazy Halloween
B4. Skit: Jun's Nightmare

Damnably DAMNABLY159
Out now (10/21)
Order: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Hazy Halloween"

Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five) is releasing this month a first studio album sung by himself, also his first solo album under his own name. The album contains many songs taken from Pizzicato Five's repertory, and also ones that he wrote for other artists (Mari Natsuki) and some covers (Hikaru Hayashi's "kokoro no kakera" and "kokoro", and Sumio Wakabayashi's "asa").

Much of the album consists of arrangements that he had first performed live in August 2023 at Cotton Club in Tokyo, and the recording features the same band of five musicians: the three of Tetsurō Yafune Trio (Tetsurō Yafune on piano, Katsuto Suzuki on bass and Ryūsuke Kakizawa on drums), plus guitarist Mitsukuni Tanabe and cellist Orie Hirayama.

An official YouTube channel has just started, with first a video of the song "kimi ni naritai". It can be watched below.

A concert for the release, featuring the recording's musicians, will be held on November 27 at Cotton Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Details and ticket information can be found here. Konishi Yasuharu's live and DJ information can always be found at Readymade Journal.

Konishi Yasuharu "Love, Lost And Found"
小西康陽 「失恋と得恋」
(Japanese title: "shitsuren to tokuren")

(Original English/French titles are included for reference)
1. kokoro no kakera (Fragments Of The Heart) (Cover of Hikaru Hayashi)
2. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (the night is still young)
3. eisei chūkei (Satellite Hour)
4. watashi no jinsei, jinsei no natsu (Ma vie, l'été de vie)
5. anata no koto ga wakaranai
6. soshite imademo (What Now Our Love)
7. kanasahii uta (Triste)
8. asa (Cover of Sumio Wakabayashi)
9. hi no ataru ōdōri (On the sunny side of the street)
10. mukashi watashi ga ai shita hito (L'homme que j'aimais) (Originally sung by Mari Natsuki)
11. kimi ni naritai (I Wanna Be Like You)
12. dōbutsuen ni te (at the zoo) (Originally sung by Mari Natsuki)
13. nemusō na futari (Two Sleepy People)
14. utsukushii hoshi (Stars)
15. kokoro (The Heart) (Cover of Hikaru Hayashi)

Universal Music UCCJ-2240
Out 10/30, ¥3200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kimi ni naritai (I Wanna Be Like You)"

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 pages. Tune in at the times below at https://lafaceb.live.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.54) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on October 17 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: October 18, 2024 from 9:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks.

Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (some replaced according to Spotify availability), or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts you can listen to.

1. Yuyakeshiwasu "Danger Girl" (2024)
(Japanese title: ゆうやけしはす Yūyakeshihasu 「ギリギリガール」 "girigiri Girl")

From the new 3rd album of Yuyakeshiwasu (Instagram, 𝕏), previously a band but now the solo unit of the singer-songwriter of the same name, this is the song "Danger Girl". The album "Rock'n'Roll Cult" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) is a 2-disc psychedelic concept album of 28 songs, which is like a mystery tour of various kinds of rock'n'roll.

It is available digitally and also on YouTube, where a mysterious "movie trailer" also surfaced on release day.

Upcoming shows include ones on Wednesday November 6 at Shimokitazawa Club Que (details), and on Sunday November 24 at U.F.O. Club (Higashi-Koenji).

Here's the music video of "Danger Girl".

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Yuyakeshiwasu, DÉ DÉ MOUSE & Milk Talk

2. DÉ DÉ MOUSE & Milk Talk "Beautiful Criminal" (2024)

This is a recent collaboration of DÉ DÉ MOUSE's latest collaboration collaboration is with the duo Milk Talk (Instagram, 𝕏, Bandcamp). The song is titled "Beautiful Criminal". Check out the music video below, which was directed by Milk Talk's singer Q.i.

For more of DÉ DÉ MOUSE's recent releases, which have kept flowing in every week or two, check out his official site's news pages.

DÉ DÉ MOUSE will be touring China from October 31 to November 3. Find details here, and also check out the rest of his schedule.

3. Elektel "Man with a Thousand Faces" (2023)

Next is the latest song by lounge music unit Elektel, "Man with a Thousand Faces" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), released in 2023.

Other songs of the recent years are "Dent in The Universe" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) and "Goodbye Husky Girl" (this one released part of compilation "Pastelphonic pt.3 powered by Guitar Pop Restaurant").

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Elektel, CTO LAB. + DJ event announcement

DJ event announcement

"POLY-810"

A DJ event featuring:
polymoog (ELEKTEL/CTO LAB.) &
DJ 810 (Tokyo's Coolest Sound/CHILDISH TONES)

Sunday, November 10, 2024
Asakusa Odoriba (Kaminari 2F)
From 17:00 to 22:00
Charge: ¥1000 + 1 drink order

Place: Odoriba, Kaminari 2F, 2-13-1 Kaminarimon, Daitō-ku (Google Maps)
Access: 3 min. from Asakusa station (Tokyo Metro Ginza & Toei Asakusa lines)

Admission: First check-in at Hoshiya, 1F
* Drinks and alcohol, snacks can be purchased to go at Hoshiya! (Take away only)

🍪 Special bonus 🍪
Those who reserve by Friday, November 8 will be given a mini set of cookies from Nishi-Ogikubo Kies!
(* The cookies will be given at Odoriba 2F. Please ask DJ 810 or polymoog.)

Reservation form

4. CTO LAB. "Nazo No Enban" (2018)

And follows a song by CTO LAB., the super group formed of Tohru Okada (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Kentarō Imai (The Aprils). The song "Nazo No Enban" is from their 2nd and latest album "Beyond The Box" (Spotify, ). I had the pleasure to write the lyrics to this song, of which the music was composed by polymoog. It is sung by Tohru Okada and Kentaro Imai.

Tohru Okada passed away at the age of 73 on February 14, 2023.

5. usabeni "Patchwork" (2024)

This is the new song of elf-produced idol usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura), titled "Patchwork" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Written by long-time collaborator Tsuruuchi Hana, it commemorates the 10th anniversary of Beni's debut (in 2014 with the group avandoned). Check out the music video below, directed and edited by herself!

A limited CD edition of the single with two exclusive bonus tracks is available in premium and regular editions at Naruheson;s, though only shipping within Japan.

usabeni will perform twice in Bangkok (Thailand) this month, on October 23 and 24. Find all details of her schedule here. There's also an upcoming show for her 10th anniversary, to be held on November 5 at Shibuya Loft Heaven (details & tickets).

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: usabeni, Color Filter

6. Color Filter "⭐︎StarCloud" (2024)

Last is a new song by Color Filter (Bandcamp), titled "⭐︎StarCloud". It was introduced on Instagram briefly, and I hope it will surface again somewhere. Enjoy the deep and progressive 8m08s track.

This song followed the almost simultaneous release of 4 songs last year.

Color Filter will be presenting event "Moonstruck vol.3" on Friday, October 25 at Moonromantic in Aoyama (Tokyo). Also performing will be Haruna Yusa and Cocuto+onnacodomo. Find details here.

Because "⭐︎StarCloud" isn't available on streaming platforms, this time's Spotify playlist instead contains the song "Summer Days".

Thank you for tuning in! Information about replays can be found at the top of the page.

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some older ones on Mixcloud.