Tokyo's Coolest Sound

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.35) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on January 19 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: January 20, 2023 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode will not be archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks, between Thursday noon and Friday noon (EST).

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 that you can listen to.

1. HALLCA "Dream Dancer" (2022)

HALLCA has recently released a new EP of 4 songs, titled "Seaside Bar" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song "Dream Dancer" was arranged by Blackstone Village (unit of Rillsoul), a collaboration that continues since the Especia days, the idol group of which HALLCA was the leader. Watch below the song's vlog-like music video shot in Italy.

HALLCA does a weekly YouTube program every Sunday from 9pm (JST), in which she always sings a few songs and also interacts with chat visitors. Subscribe to her YouTube channel where previous episodes can also be viewed.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: HALLCA, Hideki Kaji

2. Hideki Kaji "A Room Without You" (2022)
(Japanese title: カジヒデキ 「きみのいない部屋」 "kimi no inai heya")

This is the latest original song by Hideki Kaji, released part of a CD EP of the same title, "A Room Without You e.p.". The title song "A Room Without You" is also available digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music) along with its instrumental. Check out the music video below too!

This song has a special appearance of Nao⭐︎ from Negicco, who narrates towards the end of the song. Hideki Kaji has produced Nao⭐︎'s next single to be released on January 24. The music video is already up on YouTube.

Last year a first-ever LP edition of his 2nd solo album "Tea" (originally released in 1998) was released. It can still be found at Jet Set and HMV.

3. hitomitoi "Catch Me In The Snow" (2014)
(Japanese title: 一十三十一 「Catch Me in the Snow ～銀世界でつかまえて～」 "Catch Me In The Snow ~ginsekai de tsukamaete~")

hitomitoi's album "Snowclub Social Club" (Spotify, (Japan), YouTube Music) is a winter classic. "Catch Me In The Snow" has music written by Kashif (PPP) and it's the 3rd song featured in the album's delightful short movie below. A must-watch!

"Snowbank Social Club" was released on vinyl as a double-LP in 2021, along with its summer companion "Surfbank Social Club".

hitomitoi recently collaborated with Thai artist Rattana (aka Na Polycat) on a Japanese version of his song "Rainbow Eyes". A Japanese edition 7" should be coming this spring.

4. Fujin Club "Winter Rendezvous" (2022)
(Japanese title: 婦人倶楽部 「Winter Rendezvous」)

One more winter-themed song, the brand new one by Fujin Club titled "Winter Rendezvous" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). As always this is produced by M. Lemon (aka Nozomu Satō/plantar), and the guitar is played by Kashif (PPP) (who wrote the song heard just before: hiitomitoi's "Catch Me In The Snow").

The previous release of Fujin Club was "The Gold Rush" (2020) (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Producer Nozomu Satō released this year a solo album as plantar, "Forest, Sea, Harmony" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Its 10" edition is available at Juno Records (UK).

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: hitomitoi, Fujin Club, Mukaju Dan

5. Mukaju Dan "dare mo seija ni narenai" (2021)
(Japanese title: 無果汁団 「誰も聖者になれない」)

Next is a song by techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan, from their 2nd album "Uminekogazer" (Spotify, , YouTube Music)!

Mukaju Dan is a songwriting/production duo formed of Shock Tarō and Ton-chan (both previously of blue marble), and features singer Misaki since first album "Madoromu" (2020) (Spotify, , YouTube Music). "Uminekogazer" was mixed by Mori Tatsuhiko, and mastered by Seiki Satō (microstar, nicely nice).

6. Miho Tsujibayashi "Weaving Stories" (2019)
(Japanese title: 辻林美穂 「紡いでゆくこと」 "tsumuide yuku koto")

This song by singer-songwriter Miho Tsujibayashi (Twitter) is from her 2nd album "Ombre" (2019) (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Check out the music video below!

Miho Tsujibayashi released last year a new song part of compilation "TOYRO MUSIC Compilation vol.1: Colors" (2022) (Spotify, ). Previous to that she was featured as vocalist on Koh-Gaku's EP "Opto2: Tsujibayashi Miho".

This music video preceded the album and might be a slightly different version. It was directed by the artist and doubles as a video for a friend's wedding.

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Miho Tsujibayashi, MANON

7. MANON "aura" (2022)

To end this episode is a recent song by MANON, "aura" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

MANON has been releasing songs monthly since October, and the 4th (of a series of 4) should drop this month. Check out the other recent ones: "strong zero gravity" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) and "Fake Friends" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). These three (including "aura") were produced by trackmaker Kiraku (SoundCloud).

In 2022, MANON has also released the songs "Lazy Bandits" (a collaboration with Panpan Yeeyee and HNC), "Troll Me" (in collaboration with six impala), and she was featured in the song "shopaholic" by Tsubame. She also sung a cover of Finger 5's "Koi No Dial 6700" on compilation "Shin-Covered ~ J-Pops Renovated for New Generation".

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Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some older ones on Mixcloud.