Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Scha Dara Parr has released a new song titled "Beat Michi", featuring rapper Robochū (Instagram, 𝕏) who often appears in their shows. The song coincides with their 35th anniversary for which they have just held shows in Osaka and Tokyo.

Last year was also the 30th anniversary of their hit song "konya wa Boogie Back", and they released a sequel titled "Boogie Back Baby". In December a remix by LUVRAW of the original song was also released on 7" (Jet Set, HMV) and digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music) .

Scha Dara Parr "BEAT MICHI feat. Robochu" (Download)
スチャダラパー 「ビート道 feat. ロボ宙」

Zenryo Records / Space Shower Music
Out now (5/5)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura) has released a new solo single titled "City Girl Velocity". The music was written and produced by Q-Rabbit, and lyrics by usabeni herself. She also did the artwork, and directed the music video that can be watched below.

The title song is available digitally, while a limited CD-R containing a remix and instrumental can be purchased at usabeni's shop NARUHESON;S (shipping directly within Japan only).

This new song follows usabeni's solo release "Patchwork", since which she also released several collaboration songs.

Upcoming shows include a release party for usabeni & MaNaMaNa's "Female Friend" single (a cover of Maki Nomiya's "onna tomodachi") to be held on May 18 at Maple House in Gakugei-daigaku (Tokyo) (tickets), and an event for the 10th anniversary of Trash-Up!! Records on May 21 at Moon Romantic in Gaienmae (details & tickets).

usabeni "CITY GIRL VELOCITY"

1. CITY GIRL VELOCITY
CD-R edition bonus tracks
2. CITY GIRL VELOCITY (Q-Rabbit NightGroove Remix)
3. CITY GIRL VELOCITY (Instrumental)

NARUHESON;S NRHS-008
Out now (5/7)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Singer Lemon (Instagram, 𝕏), who previously sang in The Hair and Wack Wack Rhythm Band, has released a first 7" solo single. The A-side is a cover of The Style Council's "Shout To The Top" (in Japanese as it used to be sung by Kumiko Koyanagi), and for B-side is an original song written by Geno Satō (Geno London, ex-The Hair). Both songs were arranged by nyacastle a.k.a. Shinsuke Nakamura (ex-New Castle). This is out now on Groove Unchant's label Unchantable Records.

Audio samples can be heard at Juno Records (UK).

Lemon "Shout To The Top" (7")
レモン 「Shout To The Top」

A. Shout To the Top
B. koi no Blue Light

Unchantable Records UCT059
Out 4/30, ¥:2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, Juno (UK), Disk Union
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Dai Nakamura (a.k.a. NUBACK, also of Blank Music, BANK and Vacation Three, ex-Arch) has released a new digital EP of two songs. The release is titled "Small Room" and included are two songs: "Another World (Small Room ver.)" and "Siesta". "Another World" is a new version of a song he first released ten years ago (see 2015 EP "Another World"). Apparently the first of a series of releases, these songs were recorded minimally with guitar and percussions.

The is now available on Bandcamp, and should become available on other streaming platforms around mid-May.

Dai Nakamura "Small Room" (Download)

1. Another World (Small Room ver.)
2. Siesta

Too Young Records
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

Solo idols usabeni and MaNaMaNa (Instagram, 𝕏) have done a surprise double release of covers of Maki Nomiya's debut song "onna tomodachi" (this time with an English title of "Female Friend"). They have each released their own version in which one sings the lead vocals, with the other singing backing vocals. The track was arranged by Shūichi Mabe (of Group Action (Shūdankōdō), ex-sōtaiseiriron). A karaoke version is also included.

usabeni and MaNaMaNa had recently sang together on Yuri Hirano's Christmas song "Get me Xmas".

usabeni "Female Friend" (Download)
usabeni 「女ともだち」
(Japanese title: usabeni "onna tomodachi")

1. Female Friend
2. Female Friend (Karaoke)

Great Hunting PCSP-06514
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

MaNaMaNa "Female Friend" (Download)
MaNaMaNa 「女ともだち」
(Japanese title: MaNaMaNa "onna tomodachi")

1. Female Friend
2. Female Friend (Karaoke)

Great Hunting PCSP-06513
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Maika Loubté has released a digital EP titled "Dream, Neo, Atmo" consisting of three covers of J-pop songs that mean a lot to her. Those are Spitz' "Robinson", Cocco's "tsuyoku hakanai monotachi" and Puffy's "Asia no junshin".

Maika will hold a solo show on Friday, June 6 at Circus Tokyo in Shibuya, an event titled "Vex's Messy House" in which she will also perform several new songs from the upcoming album she is currently making. Tickets can be bought via e+.

Maika Loubté "Dream, Neo, Atmo" (Download)

1. Robinson (Spitz cover)
2. tsuyoku hakanai monotachi (Cocco cover)
3. Asia no junshin (Puffy cover)

Water Records
Out now (4/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Idol duo Her Serves & Receive, who were called Kanosare for just a few years, are now back with their former name and tennis rackets. The jacket of their new 3rd album sports their Japanese name spelled out in romaji, Kanojono Serve & Receive. The new album "Kirakuniikouze!" is sound produced by Kiyonori Matsuo (ex-Instant Cytron), with for main songwriter Gorō Nagase (Instant Cytron). Both had collaborated with the duo since their debut album ("Service Ace"). Also included is the song "sayonara Sunset" written by Taizō Ono (ex-Hypstone Friends), of which you can watch the music video below.

Kanojono Serve & Receive will perform several in-store events over the coming month. Details can be found here. They also have upcoming shows at Shibuya Loft Heaven on May 3 and 17. Their full schedule can be found on their official site.

Kanojono Serve & Receive "Kirakuniikouze!"
彼女のサーブ&レシーブ 「気楽にいこうぜ！」

1. Veranda ni te
2. MUSIC IS MAGIC
3. all of U
4. Dance in lies
5. maho shōjo datta koro ni wa
6. Kanosare no! kiraku ni ikō ze
7. A Hungry Girl 2024
8. kōsoku Satellite
9. sayonara Sunset

Laughface Inc. LHFC-011
Out 4/16, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"sayonara Sunset"

Veg (Bandcamp, Instagram, 𝕏), a 3-piece rock band formed in 2021 in Tokyo, has released a first full-length album titled "Adrift in Time". It's now available on CD and download/streaming platforms.

There will be a release party held on June 7 at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar. Details can be found here, and tickets on the band reservation form (which also lists other upcoming shows).

in-store event with an acoustic set and autograph session held at Tower Records Kichijoji Parco on June 28 starting at 20:15, for those who bought the CD at selected Tower Records in Tokyo (Kichijoji Parco/Shinjuku/Shibuya/Ikebukuro/Machida). Details are in this 𝕏 thread.

Veg "Adrift in Time"

1. Intro
2. Midnight
3. yauyau
4. sono hi
5. Interlude I
6. hinemosu
7. Happy Turn
8. Stay
9. sabaku no yoru
10. michi no hoshi (Reprise)
11. tadashisa wa itsudemo
12. Interlude II
13. Toy Box
14. minato e
15. kaitei ressha
16. senaka o
17. We Band

Veg VEG-001
Out 4/16, ¥3000 (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.

Netherlands-based cosmic funk project KAGAMI (Instagram) has released a new EP titled "Time Machine". Included are previously released songs featuring Natsu Summer and Hikari (Tokimeki Records), and in addition to those are several new songs including collaborations with Monari Wakita (YIKO), kili vivi lily, Kan Sano and Yōsuke Nakano (Emerald).

KAGAMI "TIME MACHINE" (Download)

(Title / Artist)
1. FRIENDS / KAGAMI feat. kiki vivi lily & Kan Sano
2. SUNGLASSES / KAGAMI & Yōsuke Nakano
3. WAITING ROOM / KAGAMI
4. ENDLESS MIDNIGHT / KAGAMI & Hikari
5. Itsuka Sonotokiga / KAGAMI & Natsu Summer
6. TIME MACHINE / KAGAMI feat. Monari Wakita
7. ANKORU / KAGAMI

Dontaku Records
Out now (4/11)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Record Store Day will be held worldwide on Saturday April 12. Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. Online sales in Japan should start the next day, April 13, maybe at 21:00 JST (according to some sources).

Also visit the global Record Store Day site where international listings and site links can be found.

Tiroleantape Chapter 4 "the first session with Tiroleantape Chapter 4 (2025 Remaster)" (12")
チロリアンテープチャプター4 "the first session with Tiroleantape Chapter 4 (2025 Remaster)"

Re-issue of the 1st album originally released in 2000, newly remastered. Tiroleantape Chapter 4 was formed of Momoko Yoshino (Momo-Sei), Nemoto De Chôbeaullet (Childish Tones), Jazz Drummer Iwajimir and Ura De Joringo.

A1. Punch & Passion 99
A2. Breakaway
A3. Off and Running
A4. Tintarella di Luna
A5. Queen Of The Fool
A6. Heart
B1. Sunflower
B2. Count Five For Me
B3. The Ballad Of Weezie and Moelie
B4. Bubble Gum Blows
B5. Red Guitar
B6. Red Guitar -Reprise-
B7. Soul & Stomp

Blue Noble Records BNRD3
Out 4/12, ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union

Tiroleantape Chapter 4 "Red Guitar (2025 Remaster)" (7")
チロリアンテープチャプター4 "Red Guitar (2025 Remaster)"

A 7" cut of "Red Guitar" from the album "the first session with Tiroleantape Chapter 4" (above), plus a non-album track for B-side.

A. Red Guitar
B. Sha-la-la-la-lee

Blue Noble Records BNRD3
Out now (4/12), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union

Moonriders "M.I.J." (7")
ムーンライダーズ 「M.I.J.」

Reissue of the 1984 single "M.I.J.", song that appeared on the album "Amateur Academy". This song featured chorus sung by Maki Nomiya (Portable Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five).

A. M.I.J.
B. GYM

P-Vine P7-6640
Out now (4/12), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Play-Asia, Disk Union

Hitomitoi "Like a First Kiss feat. Wild Nothing" (7")
一十三十一 「LIKE A FIRST KISS feat. Wild Nothing」

The first single from Hitomitoi's new album "Telepa Telepa", featuring Jack Tatum a.k.a. Wild Nothing. Includes an exclusive instrumental.

A. Like a First Kiss feat. Wild Nothing
B. Like a First Kiss feat. Wild Nothing (Instrumental)

Billboard Japan Records HBAJ-1001
Out now (4/12), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union

3776 "sannin miman haibu" (7")
3776 「三人未満廃部」

A single cut from 3776's latest album "The Birth and Death of the Universe through Mount Fuji". This follows two 8cm single CDs released for Tanzaku CD Day 2024 and Tanzaku CD 37th Anniversary.

A. sannin miman haibu
B. ki-ga-su-ru

Narisu Records MINA-3776
Out now (4/12), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union

KOJI 1200 "Shining Star" (7")

KOJI 1200 is the unit of Kōji Imada produced by Towa Tei started in 1995. "Shining Star" is a new song released part of Takashi Fujii's label Slenderie Record's 10-CD single box out last year, and now here it comes on 7".

A. Shining Star
B. Shining Star (Instrumental)

Slenderie Record / HMV record shop HR7S322
Out now (4/12), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Like a Record round! round! round! "Hong Shing" (7")
Like a Record round! round! round! 「本ｇ心ｇ」

Another release from the Slenderie Record 10-CD single box. This one is a unit formed of Takashi Fujii, Oniyakko Tsubaki and Razor Ramon RG, and the song is sound produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanellla).

A. Hong Shing
B. Hong Shing (Instrumental)

Slenderie Record HR7S323
Out now (4/12), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union

Yuri Miyauchi "Beta" (12")
宮内優里 「Beta」

Vinyl release of 7th album "Beta", first released digitally in 2022.

A1. hukk
A2. comu
A3. reube
A4. zie
A5. deuv
A6. efoi
B1. kidu
B2. noi
B3. foeo
B4. emeb
B5. oroia
B6. moh

Miyauchi Yuri MYUCLP001
Out now (4/12), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union

Yuri Miyauchi "Beta 2" (12")
宮内優里 「Beta 2」

Vinyl release of 8th album "Beta 2", first released digitally in 2024.

A1.kipa
A2.tetf
A3.bisp
A4.viom
A5.xoa
B1.foki
B2.duto
B3.mulq
B4.jiade
B5.hueli

Miyauchi Yuri MYUCLP002
Out now (4/12), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Disk Union