Tokyo's Coolest Sound

The Pen Friend Club has just released a brand new album, titled "Songularity". This all of the songs are original, and all music is written by the current band members. Plus, it's a double album of a total of 20 songs, making it the band's biggest studio album. Watch the music video of "Lily's Smile" below.

The album is available as a double CD, and also digitally. The Pen Friend Club has just announced that their online shop now accepts international orders. The new album and recent singles, including signed copies, and also previous releases and vinyl, etc., can be found there.

A tour for the release will be held, going to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. The Tokyo show will be held on April 25 at Shibuya Loft Heaven, and it can also be viewed online (details). Find all show details on the band's live schedule page.

The Pen Friend Club "Songularity" (2CD)

Disc 1
1. Harbinger
2. Got To Be Rock And Roll
3. Never Let You Go
4. Lily's Smile
5. Begin Tomorrow
6. Thelma
7. The National Bird
8. Really Feel
9. Die Alone
10. Merry-Go-Around

Disc 2
1. Grow
2. You're The One 1965
3. In Your Light
4. Breakin' Up
5. Little Life
6. For It's Worthwhile
7. California Again
8. Promise
9. Songularity
10. Be Here With You

Penpal Records PPRD0011
Out 3/18, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Lily's Smile"

Sampler clip

Singer and model MANON (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube) has released a first digital EP titled "Pink Noise". Included is the brand new song "Monotarinai", as well as recent singles "Nisemono Smilin" and "fading", as well as "Nobody Like Kyun", "Baby Driver" (Japanese title "chigau type") and "Growing Pains" (Japanese title "seichōtsū"). Manon wrote the lyrics to most of these songs. Check out the music videos below, and find the EP on download/streaming platforms.

MANON has been performing live and also DJing often recently. She also held her own party "Pink Noise vol.3" in January. Watch her Instagram and 𝕏 for information of upcoming events.

MANON "PINK NOISE" (Download)

1. Baby Driver
2. Nobody Like Kyun
3. Monotarinai
4. Growing Pains
5. Nisemono Smilin
6. fading

Caticorn Records
Out now (3/6)
Sample/buy: (Japan), (World), Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Monotarinai" teaser music video

"Baby Driver"

"Growing Pains"

"Nisemono Smilin"

"fading"

Frenesi (Instagram, 𝕏) has released a brand new song digitally. Titled "Undo-Onchi", it was written by the Otomesha label owner Itaru Kawashima, who previously wrote the music & lyrics of "watashi no Yes Man" and "Sky Bus Tokyo" (from album "Cupra"), and the lyrics of "Inflation II" (from "Märchen").

"Undo-Onchi" means someone bad at sports or phys ed, which she claims is her case. On 𝕏, she asked for similar reports with the #UndoOnchi hashtag.

This new song follows digital releases "Oyasumi luna moth" and "jorei si nai de". She has also written the new song of Megu (Negicco), "Le Bon Vivant".

Frenesi will perform at the All Japan Theremin Festival to be held on March 28 at Daikanyama Unit and Haretara Sora Ni Mame Maite (her performance will be at the latter from 18:00). Tickets are on sale at e+. It has been 11 years since she last performed on stage. Not to be missed!

Frenesi "Undo-Onchi" (Download)
フレネシ 「Undo-Onchi」

frenesi & otomesha
Out now (2/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

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.67) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on Fri. March 6, 2026 from 14:30 and 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: Sat. March 7, 2026 from 4:30 and 10:30

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 (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. Loupx garoux "FIG(URE)" (2026)

Loupx garoux (𝕏) is a 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). They released in February a new single titled "(RE)LOADED/FIG(URE)" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music). B-side "FIG(URE)" is described as inspired by the movie Fight Club.

This release followed first album album "Anya" (2024) (Bandcamp, , Spotify).

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Loupx garoux, Wink Music Service

2. Wink Music Service "Little China Girl feat. Kokoa" (2025)
(Japanese title: Wink Music Service 「Little China Girl feat. 心愛」)

From the latest single of Wink Music Service, the group formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (Instagram, 𝕏) (The Scooters, She's a Rainbow, ex-The Phantom Gift/Les 5-4-3-2-1/SOLEIL), this is the song "Little China Girl" featuring 14-year-old singer Kokoa (Instagram, 𝕏), who is also a member of girl group She's a Rainbow (also produced by Sally Kubota). This song's music was written by Ginji Itō (ex-Sugar Babe), and its lyrics by Yūko Iizumi (microstar). Kokoa is said to have Chinese and Thai roots, which inspired the A-side's lyrics.

The single "Little China Girl / Katakoto No Koi" was released on 7" (apparently still available at Tower Records) and also digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The B-side is is a self-cover of a song Keitarō Takanami wrote for TV anime series "Chobits" in 2002.

3. Michiru Hoshino "No Music, Yes Music" (2025)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる 「No Music, Yes Music」)

Singer-songwriter Michiru Hoshino (Instagram, 𝕏) came back last year from a hiatus, has already performed on stage several times, and also released the 2-CD greatest hits album "20 Colors - The Best of Michiru Hoshino 2005-2025" to celebrate the 20th anniversary since her debut part of idol group AKB48. The 20-song album included two new songs, one of which is "No Music, Yes Music". It was written by Michiru and arranged by Seiki Satō (microstar).

"No Music, Yes Music" has now also been released on 7" (HMV, Tower, CDJapan), with for B-side another brand new song titled "You've Got Mail" which is only available in this format. The greatest hits album is available on CD and also digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

It has been announced that Michiru Hoshino will perform a free show on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the fun New Ginger Museum in Tochigi prefecture (a short day trip by train from Tokyo). Details have yet to be announced at time of writing.

4. Kumisolo "Mon Horizon" (2025)

Kumisolo (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud), a Japanese singer-songwriter based in Paris, has released a new third album recently, titled "My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Her music is reminiscent of city pop, electro-pop and techno-kayō, which she sings mainly in French, though also in Japanese and English. "Mon Horizon" is the first song of this new album.

For those in Paris: Kumisolo has an upcoming show planned on April 27 at Supersonic. Details can be found here.

Watch this teaser clip that begins with "Mon Horizon", followed by "Triste Tropical" and "Kilai".

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Michiru Hoshino, Kumisolo, QUINCAMPOIX

5. QUINCAMPOIX "Teenage Dream" (2026)

Indie 4-girl rock band QUINCAMPOIX (Instagram, 𝕏) has been releasing several new songs regularly in digital format lately. At the end of January came "Teenage Dream" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), of which you can watch the music video below.

Prior to this one were released "Rock'n'Roll Tonight" in October (music video), "Get It On" in September (music video), and "Summer Fatigue" in July (music video).

Quincampoix always give a fun show, find their live schedule can on their website on the "gigs" page.

6. Childish Tones "My Brain Is Happy Sad" (2025)

From the latest 7" single of Childish Tones (Instagram, 𝕏), "Chick Habit feat. Beni Usakura / My Brain Is Happy Sad", here's the B-side: "My Brain Is Happy Sad". This original song takes toy instruments into a surprising new direction, and it's the first sung by keyboardist ROCK-A-POPPY as the lead vocalist.

Childish Tones is a band led by Nemoto De Chôbeaullet (of labels Deckrec/Bootrec) that plays rock'n'roll using only toy musical instruments, in which I play the toy drums. Other musicians on this recording are percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Carole Ai (also of Jenny Jenny, Three Dilly Tuffys, and DJ unit Pop Help the Grrrl), percussionist Lollipop-Ann-Chang, Gameboy performer Nishioka Diddley (of Les Khmers, Dieburns), and also guitarist Iggy (of La La La Liberacíon).

This single is still only available on 7", so far mainly at shows or at Time Bomb, and also at Disk Union (to be stocked and start shipping around the end of March). The release is limited to 300 copies, and it comes with retro 3D glasses to better enjoy the artwork. Our next show should be on April 11 at Higashi-Koenji U.F.O. Club, and it will be a release party for this single.

Sound samples can be heard on the website of shop Time Bomb.

7. Jenny Jenny "cake!" (2026)
(Japanese title: ジェニ・ジェニ 「cake!」)

Girl beat band Jenny Jenny (Instagram, 𝕏) has just released a new self-titled EP on Koga Records. "cake!" is a brand hew original song, and it's the A-side of the 7". Check out the music video below! The 7" B-side has two songs: the original "Good ska peak!" (music video) and a cover "koi wa Heat Wave ((Love Is Like A) Heat Wave)".

The 7" can be ordered online at Vamp! Shop, Amazon Japan, HMV, Disk Union, Time Bomb, Juno (UK), etc. The two original songs are also available digitally: Spotify, , YouTube Music.

Led by Carole Ai❣️ (also a member of Childish Tones and Three Dilly Tuffys), Jenny Jenny was formed in 2022 and has been very active performing in the garage rock and mod scene in Tokyo (occasionally elsewhere too).

On March 26, an in-store mini-live event will be held at Disk Union Rock In Tokyo (Shibuya) from 21:00, which can be attended by those who buy the new release at Disk Union stores or Disk Union Online (details). A release party will also be held at Shimokitazawa Shelter on March 11 from 18:30 (details & tickets). There's another upcoming show on March 14 at Shimokitazawa mona records from 18:30 (details).

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Childish Tones, Jenny Jenny, Aishite Tonight feat. Rin Wada

8. Love Me Tonight feat. Rin Wada "GAMEOVER" (2025)
(Japanese title: 愛してTONIGHT feat. 和田輪 「GAMEOVER」 Aishite Tonight feat. Wada Rin "GAMEOVER")

Love Me Tonight (𝕏) (in Japanese Aishite Tonight, also abbreviated as LVMT) is the recent unit produced by SLF!! (Instagram, 𝕏), who is best known for his previous long-running unit The Lady Spade. Having released so far two singles featuring singer Rin Wada (Instagram, 𝕏) (also a member of idol group Electric Ribbon since 2024), the song "GAMEOVER" is from that latest one. These singles have been only released on CD-R sold directly, and aren't available online at this time.

Love Me Tonight has just announced in February that the forementioned featured singer Rin Wada and also solo idol ERENCHAN (Instagram, 𝕏) are now officially both members of the group together with SLF!!. The group's new line-up will first perform on March 14 at Rin Wada's birthday party event at Shibuya Star Lounge (details & tickets).

Sampler clip of "GAMEOVER" (followed by B-side "BITTERDAYS")

#愛してTONIGHT ft. 和田輪
01. GAMEOVER
02. BITTERDAYS
新曲試聴 x-fade🎃#M3秋2025 リリース☆

前回とはまた違う趣のガールズラップと美コーラスワーク♪そしてラバーズなm2はとある曲へのアンサー。これはライブで答え合わせを！

▼10.26(日)
M3-2025秋 東京流通センター
第二展示場1F え35a+b pic.twitter.com/RoFFmJauWJ

— SLF!!@PUIPUI👻💀 (@SLF_SPD) October 21, 2025

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

Find information about all previous episodes of this radio show right here.

Singer-songwriter Machi Akari (Instagram, 𝕏) has released a new song digitally. "Tokyo Rhapsody" is a cover of a song originally sung by Ichirō Fujiyama, first released in 1936. The music was performed and mixed by Catherine (Instagram, 𝕏).

This release follows single Machi Akari "Yokohama Dilemma / boku no umare wa Koriyama" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A solo show of Machi Akari will also be held on Saturday, April 4 at Shibuya 7th Floor from noon (details & tickets). Then on Sunday, April 5, 2026, Machi Akari will hold a Bon odori practice session at Ota Consumer Life Center in Kamata (Tokyo) from 14:00. Find details in English at Peatix. Check her full schedule for more event information.

Machi Akari "Tokyo Rhapsody" (Download)
町あかり 「東京ラプソディ」

Solcielo
Out now (2/19)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Loupx garoux (𝕏) has released a new single on Bandcamp and download/streaming platforms.

Description from Bandcamp:
Loupx garoux presents a new single that engages with pop culture and social themes through a sharp conceptual lens. The A-side, "(RE)LOADED," reinterprets the imagery of Anpanman alongside the notion of conscription, while the B-side, "FIG(URE)" is informed by the subversive ethos of the film Fight Club.

This release follows album "Anya" (2024) (Bandcamp, OTOTOY, , Spotify). Loupx garoux is 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).

Loupx garoux "(RE)LOADED/FIG(URE)" (Download)

1. (RE)LOADED
2. FIG(URE)

Amp-mutation
Out now (2/11)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Indie 4-girl rock band QUINCAMPOIX (Instagram, 𝕏) has been releasing new songs regularly in digital format lately. The newest is "Teenage Dream" of which you can watch the music video below.

Prior to this one were released "Rock'n'Roll Tonight" in October (music video), "Get It On" in September (music video), and "Summer Fatigue" in July (music video).

Their upcoming show announced at this time is event "Moonshine vol.24" to be held on February 28 at Shibuya Ruby Room (details). Their live schedule can always be found on their website on the "gigs" page.

Quincampoix "Teenage Dream" (Download)

Do It Ourselves. NOPA-7457
Out now (1/30)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

THE LET'S GO's (𝕏, Facebook) have released a new single, of two new songs titled "Dream Catcher" and "Time After Time". The 7" was first sold at shows of a 3-city tour for the release, which was followed by a digital release, and now it's available at some shops such as the ones linked below.

This follows the release of single "Refrain / Time Machine" last summer, which was followed by cover mini-album "Tracks For Lucks ~Swamp Bag Sessions~".

It has also been announced that another new single titled "Disco Night / D!D!D!D! DISCO" will be released in a few months, with a tour starting at Shimokitazawa Shelter on May 4. Find all of the band's schedule on their web site.

THE LET'S GO's "Dream Catcher / Time After Time" (Download/7")

A. Dream Catcher
B. Time After Time

CMA-SUN Records CMA-0002
Out now (1/24), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: , Spotify, YouTube Music, Vamp! Shop, Disk Union, Juno (UK), Time Bomb

Trailer clip

Girl beat band Jenny Jenny (Instagram, 𝕏) has a new EP coming on Koga Records. Including 3 songs, the 7" EP is titled "Jenny Jenny" and contains three new recordings, two of which are originals ("cake!" and "Good ska peak"). The other song is a cover of "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave", originally by Martha and the Vandellas but here in the Japanese version as performed by The Collectors. The 7" will be limited to 300 copies. The two original songs are also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

Led by Carole Ai❣️ (also a member of Childish Tones and Three Dilly Tuffys), Jenny Jenny was formed in 2022 and has been very active performing in the garage rock and mod scene in Tokyo (occasionally elsewhere too). Jenny Jenny has recently participated in Koga Records' "Koga Records 2025 Winter Collection" compilation with a cover of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Before that they released a 7" single on the Radio Underground label (ran by Daddy-O-Nov of the Back From The Grave event series), also titled "Jenny Jenny / yureru kami (You Really Got Me)" but containing two covers.

On March 26, an in-store mini-live event will be held at Disk Union Rock In Tokyo (Shibuya) from 21:00, which can be attended by those who buy the new release at Disk Union stores or Disk Union Online (details).

A release party will also be held at Shimokitazawa Shelter on March 11 from 18:30, also featuring Angel Face, Karaquri Gocco and Pretits (details & tickets). Other upcoming shows include one on February 14 at Nakano Heavysick Zero from 18:00 (details), and on March 14 at Shimokitazawa mona records from 18:30 (details).

Jenny Jenny "Jenny Jenny" (7")
ジェニ・ジェニ 「ジェニ・ジェニ」

A. cake!
B1. Good ska peak
B2. koi wa Heat Wave ((Love Is Like A) Heat Wave)

Koga Records KOGA-260
Out 2/18, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Vamp! Shop, Disk Union, Juno (UK), Time Bomb
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"cake!"

"Good ska peak"

"koi wa Heat Wave"

Teaser clip

Kumisolo (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud), a Japanese singer-songwriter based in Paris, has released a new third album recently, titled "My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever". Her music is reminiscent of city pop, electro-pop and techno-kayō, which she sings mainly in French, though also in Japanese and English.

Kumisolo also participated in Danish-Brazilian duo The Courettes' latest Japanese edition 7" single (released for their recent tour in January 2026), a Japanese-sung version of their song "Shake!" (original version music video). The single seems to have sold out in most shops in Japan, but it appears to still be in stock at Juno (UK) (at time of writing).

For those in Paris: Kumisolo has an upcoming show planned on April 27 at Supersonic. Details can be found here.

Kumisolo "My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever" (Download)

1. Mon Horizon
2. My Heart Is Doki Doki Forever
3. Caniculum
4. Bulle De Savon
5. Triste Tropical
6. Your Breath In Winter (Japanese Version)
7. La Mode (feat. Syyler)
8. Ta Voix À La Radio
9. Kilai
10. Matins Dorés
11. Your Breath In Winter (French Version)
12. Guinga

Alter K
Out now (2025/12/12)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Teaser promo clip ("Mon Horizon" / "Triste Tropical" / "Kilai")

Album trailer clip