Tokyo's Coolest Sound

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.

VIOLAVIE (YouTube, 𝕏, Instagram), the idol group produced by Emiri Kanou, has released a first EP titled "Destiny". Included are new songs "Destiny", which has music co-written by ISAFAT and Emiri, and "Tailwind", composed by Hyoe Yasuhara. All lyrics were written by Emiri.

Also included is a re-recorded version of "Birthday", a song from the single released in April. VIOLAVIE is now formed of four members: Konoha, Mioha, Mitsuki and Saaya.

A release party will be held on October 26 at Ebisu Batica, starting at noon. The event will also feature guests ISAFAT and HALLCA. Find details here, and other live information in their full schedule. An event with Tetsuro Yafune and Tetsuto Yoshida, and DJ Yasuhiro Hase (Yume to Cosme) has also been announced to be held on December 14 (details and reservation form).

By the way, there was news this week that Emiri Kanou got married with actor Kū Ijima. Congratulations! 🎉

VIOLAVIE "Destiny" (Download)

1. Destiny
2. Tailwind
3. BIRTHDAY (Re-recorded)

Blute Company
Out (10/9)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Sampler clip

"Destiny" dance practice

DJ 810 of Tokyo's Coolest Sound is organizing the event below with longtime friend polymoog (ELEKTEL/CTO LAB.). Come by for a late-afternoon/early-evening of good music (with lounge, electro, pop, Shibuya-kei, and beyond).

Check out the details below in Japanese & English.

"POLY-810"

polymoog (ELEKTEL/CTO LAB.) と
DJ 810 (Tokyo's Coolest Sound/CHILDISH TONES)
によるDJイベントを開催します！

2024年11月10日(日)
浅草 オドリバ （KAMINARI 2F）
17:00 〜 22:00
CHARGE ￥1000 + 1 drink order

住所: 台東区雷門2-13-1 KAMINARI 2F オドリバ (Google Maps)
アクセス: 東京メトロ銀座線 都営浅草線 / 浅草駅から徒歩3分

入場方法: 受付のみ1Fほしや
★ほしやでお酒・お飲み物やおつまみをテイクアウトすることができます！（テイクアウト利用のみ）

🍪 おすすめ情報 🍪
11/8(金)までご予約の方には、西荻窪Kiesのクッキーのミニセットをプレゼントします！
（※ クッキーのプレゼントはオドリバでお渡しします。DJ 810かpolymoogにお声がけください。）

予約フォーム
お問い合わせ

"POLY-810" (English)

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
Contact

Self-produced idol usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura) has released a new single titled "Patchwork", to commemorate the 10th anniversary since her debut. The song "Patchwork" was written by Tsuruuchi Hana, a long-time collaborator who also wrote several songs for avandoned, and more recently the song "Cosmic Dress" (which appeared on mini-album "textures!"). The lyrics were co-written by usabeni. Check out the music video below, directed and edited by herself!

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

This release follows EP "AIR", since which two collaborations with former groupmate nonayu were also released: "Ice Bahn" and "PEEK-A-BOO!".

usabeni has shows in Tokyo today October 8, at Akihabara Club Goodman, and tomorrow October 9, at Shindaita Fever. Later this month she will perform twice in Bangkok (Thailand), on October 23 and 24. Find all details of her schedule here.

usabeni "Patchwork"

1. Patchwork
CD-only bonus tracks
2. Bye-bye (Demo)
3. Patchwork (Inst.)

Naruheson;s
Out now (10/7)
Order: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Patchwork"

Sampler clip

Loupx garoux (𝕏) is a recent band fronted by singer-songwriter Mariko Nii, and also featuring drummer Yurina da Gold Digger (of Magic, Love & Drums), bassist okan (of roijypsy and WAO!), and keyboardist Romantic (ex-Bakudan Johnny). "Anya" is their first full-length album. Some of the songs are ones that were previously in Mariko Nii's solo repertory. Loupx garoux's arrangements are done by Romantic. This follows the release of EP "xxx" last year, and the single "A.N.G.E.L." (Bandcamp).

The album is only available digitally, and purchasing the album on Bandcamp includes a short text titled "memo from Loupx garoux".

A release event titled "Black Field" (a translation of "Anya") will be held on October 13 at Shindaita Fever. Details and ticket info can be found here.

Loupx garoux "Anya" (Download)
Loupx garoux 「暗野」

1. Anya
2. Adults just don't get it
3. TEARDROPS
4. LILITH
5. UNDERTAKER
6. D
7. Anatomia
8. Maps to the stars
9. WONDERWALL
10. PARALLEL

Amp-mutation/Trash-Up!! Records AMP-002/TUR-056
Out now (10/2)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY,

Live performance of "Maps to the stars" from last year
(That full show can also be viewed here)