Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.27

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.

This episode is a special one, mostly consisting of a DJ mix. I was a guest DJ at an event of singer Monari Wakita on April 30, so I thought that I'd pick some songs that I played there. My DJ set was all played using vinyl. Happy listening!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.27) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on May 12 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: May 13, 2022 from 9:30 a.m.

This episode was not archived as-is, but it will be replayed at the times below:

EDT (Montréal/New York) —: Fri. May 13 at 16h30, Mon. 16 at 12h30, Tue. 17 at 8h30, Wed. 18 at 4h30, Thurs. 19 at 0h30
Japan time —: Sat. May 14 at 5h30, Tue. 17 at 1h30, Tue. 17 at 21h30, Wed. 18 at 17h30, Thurs. 19 at 13h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of most of the songs (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 that you can listen to.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Monari Wakita

1. Monari Wakita "anone,,," (2016)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり Wakita Monari 「あのね、、、」)

This first song is one that Monari sang in her show at the event. "anone,,," was first released as the B-side of her debut solo single, "In The City / anone,,," (2016) (YesAsia still has it listed). It was later included on her first solo album "I am ONLY" (2017). "anone,,," was written by Hajimu Hase, and co-arranged by him and Seiki Satō (Microstar).

Because "anone,,," and the album "I am ONLY" aren't available on YouTube or streaming platforms, here's the music video of "I'm with you" which also appears on the same album. She also sang this one at the show. There's one more song by Monari later in this episode! Scroll down for more of her latest info.

2. COUNTJOKE "2nd Class Angel" (2015)
(Japanese title: 冗談伯爵 jōdan hakushaku 「二級天使のテーマ」 "nikyū tenshi no Theme")

... and from this song on are selections from my DJ set. First is a song by COUNTJOKE, the unit of Naoki Maezono and Toshiya Arai. The duo has contributed several songs to Monari's repertory, such as "LED", a favorite!

The song "2nd Class Angel" was released as a 7" single (still available at CDJapan, Amazon, HMV), and later appeared in a remastered version on the digital collection album "ZERO" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

COUNTJOKE released last year their first true album titled "ONE" for Record Store Day, coming as an LP with a download code. It seems to have sold out since, but it can also be found digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). COUNTJOKE's latest release is a 7" single titled "Love Step" released last December for Record Day (still available at HMV), and the A-side can also be heard digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

3. Hideki Kaji "French Cinema!" (2019)
(Japanese title: カジヒデキ Kaji Hideki 「フランス映画にしようよ」 "France eiga ni shiyō yo")

This song by Hideki Kaji is from his latest album "Goth Romance" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and it was also later released as a 7" single pressed on cool blue vinyl (still available at HMV).

Hideki Kaji has released 5 new songs digitally over the last year, of which the latest is "April Fool" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

4. Magic, Drums & Love "Amazon Night" (2020)

Next is a song by Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love. "Amazon Night" was released on 7" (still available at Amazon and HMV) and also digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music), following their latest album "Hurricane Upsetter" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Magic, Drums & Love have since also released another 7" last year, titled "Dancehall! Supreme! Shooting!" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). All of their recent music is produced by Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (of Learners and Neil & Iraiza).

5. Francis "Repulsion" (2021)
(Japanese title: Francis 「反撥」 "hanpatsu")

This song is by Francis, the solo project of Makoto Ori, from his latest album "Bolero" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music). Album tracks "Repulsion" and "Coquette Marionnette" were released on 7" last December on Unchantable Records.

6. Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Flyaway on Friday" (2020)

This song by Wack Wack Rhythm Band is from their latest album "The 'Now' Sounds" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

8 songs from the album were released on 7", the latest of which included "Flyaway on Friday" on the A-side. This one can still be found at Jet Set. Of course I have them all. :) Check out a recent live performace by WWRB further down this page.

7. Monari Wakita "A White Lie" (2019)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり Wakita Monari 「やさしい嘘」 "yasashii uso")

"A White Lie" (in Japanese titled "yasashii uso") was the B-side of Monari Wakita's 7" single "Just a 'Crush for Today'", and it later appeared on her 3rd solo album "Right Here" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Monari's latest release is the 7" single "Place" released for Record Store Day last year, of which the A-side can also be found digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). She announced at her show that she had been working on new songs, with two already recorded, so we can already be looking forward to new material hopefully soon!

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: COUNTJOKE, Hideki Kaji, Magic Drums & Love, Francis, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, Monari Wakita, Beni Usakura

8. Beni Usakura "passion" (2022)
(Japanese title: 宇佐蔵べに Usakura Beni 「passion」)

This episode ends with a song released just recently, the first solo single of Beni Usakura (Twitter, Instagram), known as a member of idol group Apokalippps (also ex-Frun Frin Friends and avandoned), as well as the featured singer of all-toy-instrument rock'n'roll band Childish Tones (Twittter, Instagram). Not only that, Beni is also active as a choreographer, designer, DJ, and has her own apparel brand and shop Naruehson;s!

Both songs from this single, titled "Passion" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), have music written and produced by Emiri Kanou. The single is available digitally, or also on CD via Beni's online shop (shipping within Japan).