Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Noël Nippon"

Tokyo's Coolest Sound is starting its own radio show! Part of La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), the show will bring you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these pages. Tune in or listen anytime on Mixcloud.

The first program is a 30-minute Christmas special of original songs by Japanese artists.

Christmas special "Noël Nippon" on December 13, 2019 from 13:00, repeated at 17:00 and 21:00, and on December 24 from 13:00, 17:00 and 21:00.
(All times are EST = Montréal/New York/Miami)

Listen anytime on La Face B's Mixcloud.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. Vacation Three "Christmas Time Again" (2019, Release info at Bandcamp)

Vacation Three is an acoustic trio of guitar, sax and percussions: Nakamura Dai (BANK, NUBACK), Nakamoto Koichiro and Okyon (both active in Wack Wack Rhythm Band, etc.). At the end of last year they released their excellent first album "One"!

Just weeks ago, they released this original Christmas song titled "Christmas Time Again" on Bandcamp, and also part of CD compilation "Christmas Pavilion ~ Natale ai mirtilli" (Bandcamp, Amazon, HMV). Their music sounds just like hanging around the fireplace, as seen in their video for "Blue Submarine".

2. Michiru Hoshino "suteki ni X'mas Night" (2016, Release info)
(Japanese title: 星野みちる「素敵にX'mas Night」)

A favorite female singer for many years, Hoshino Michiru has just recently released new album "Moonlight Confessions" in which she takes new directions with more acoustic instruments and with herself writing more songs and playing the piano throughout.

The Christmas song played this time was released in 2016 on 7" and also has music written by herself. She sings that Christmas night makes new lovers.

3. SOLEIL "Twinkle Heart" (2019, Release info)

An unavoidable band of the last few years, SOLEIL is produced and led by bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift) and puts under the spotlight the 16-year-old singer of the same name, Soleil. The band has made many heads turn by creating music that sounds just like it came from the '50s or '60s. Their latest and 3rd album "Lollipop Sixteen" is a delight!

Not included on that album is new Christmas song "Twinkle Heart", released last month on 7" and digitally. The song was written by Ijichi Hiromasa who is known for his many hit songs for 90's idol group Speed. Still this song fits just in place with Soleil's distinctive sound.

The song will also be included as a bonus track of upcoming stereo remix album "SOLEIL in STEREO" coming December 18 (stay tuned for details).

By the way, those in Tokyo shouldn't miss their "Last Christmas Concert" on December 22 at new venue Shibuya Veats, after which SOLEIL will go into hiatus indeterminately for the singer to focus on her high school studies.

4. The Pen Friend Club "Christmas Delights" (2018, Release info)

The Pen Friend Club, currently an 8-piece band, has been around since 2012. They specialize in West Coast rock sound of the '60s that gives homage to the likes of The Beach Boys and Phil Spector.

The song "Christmas Delights" was released part of Christmas album "Merry Christmas from The Pen Friend Club" in 2018, and this year as a vinyl LP for Record Day 2019. Except for this delightful original song, all songs are covers of Christmas classics, all done with surprising arrangements like you haven't heard before.

5. Mint-Lee noka "bokura wa zutto ikiteiru" (2019, Release info)
(Japanese title: ミントリノカ「僕らはずっと生きている」)

Not specifically a Christmas song, but one that reveals the secret nightlife of your stuffed toys who wake up to play in your house and even sing songs, something that can only seem more plausible in these holiday times. Mint-Lee noka is a trio formed of Mayutan (of toy-pop unit ammakasie noka), Okamura Midori (aka Mint-Lee) and toy instrument percussionist Sayu Candy.

This song was released last January as a beautiful and irresistible 7" picture disc, of which the B-side is just as awesome.

6. HNC "YUKI NO FURU HI" (2014, SoundCloud)

HNC (Instagram, Twitter) (previously known as Hazel Nuts Chocolate) has made this electro and breakbeats track available on SoundCloud for Christmas. Since then HNC (aka Yuppa) has become busy mainly producing Manon, which brings us to our next track...

7. MANON "WINTER LIL LIFE feat. Sleet Mage" (2019, Release info)

French-Japanese singer/model Manon (Instagram) is a teenager about to turn 18 next January. Based in Fukuoka, she is part of the Asobisystem agency that's best known for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. While touching down with the cute and Harajuku things, Manon has her own style that's closer to the street, and her raps are very slick!

The song "WINTER LIL LIFE" was put on YouTube and released digitally at the end of last winter, and it's a collaboration with mysterious rapper Sleet Mage. Also check out Manon's first album "Teenage Diary" which is full of great tracks!

8. CTO LAB. "mahou ga tokeru made" (2018, Release info)
(Japanese title: CTO LAB. 「魔法がとけるまで」)

CTO LAB. is a supergroup formed of Okada Tohru (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentarō (The Aprils). With a meaning of "Compact Techno Organization", their concept is to use nothing but small synths and gadget instruments.

This Christmas song written and sung by Imai Kentarō features a young girl who argues she won't go to bed before Santa arrives. It's part of the band's latest album "Beyond The Box".

9. three berry icecream "christmas snow dome" (2019, Release info at disques blue-very)

Three Berry Icecream (Twitter, Instagram) was founded 21 years ago as the solo project of Ikemizu Mayumi who was part of Shibuya-kei band Bridge (along with Kaji Hideki et al.). This latest song appeared on the "Christmas Pavilion ~ Natale ai mirtilli" compilation (Bandcamp, Amazon, HMV).

Three Berry Icecream released last year a retrospective album titled "Sunshine In My Mind 1998-2018 - three berry icecream 20th Anniversary -" (Amazon, Spotify, ).