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.45) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on January 18 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: January 19, 2024 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks.

EST (Montréal/New York) —

Mon. February 12, 2024 at 2h30 a.m.

Japan time —

Mon. February 12, 2024 at 16h30

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 which you can listen to.

1. Magic, Drums & Love "Keep Romance Alive" (2023)

The first song is the latest by rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love, titled "Keep Romance Alive" and released on 7" and digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The song was written by member Jinta=Jinta, and as always it's produced by Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (Neil and Iraiza, cubismo grafico). The single's B-side is a remix by Chabe, and it's also a must!

A release party will be held on Sunday January 21 at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar, also featuring Koncos, DJ Chabe and more. Meanwhile they can also be seen at a year end party on December 30 also at Basement Bar. Find details on Magic, Drums & Love's gig page. Another show coming up will be on Sunday February 18 at Shimokitazawa Club Que, for the 73rd birthday of rock critic and DJ Kensho Ōnuki, along with Chabe and Childish Tones (in which I play the toy drums!) (details at Tokyo Gig Guide).

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Magic, Drums & Love, Bakubaku Dokin

2. Bakubaku Dokin "Mint" (2023)
(Japanese title: バクバクドキン 「MINT」)

Three years since their previous song, wacky two-girl unit Bakubaku Dokin (𝕏, Instagram) is back with a brand new song titled "Mint" (as in "mint condition"), out now digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). It's produced by DJ Fumiya (of Rip Slyme) who had produced their early works some 13 years ago.

There's also word of an album coming hopefully in Spring 2024, so stay tuned!

3. kimriri "episode" (2023)

Teenage singer-songwriter kimriri (Instagram, Twitter) has recently released a new single digitally, titled "episode" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). This is her 4th song released digitally since she was introduced as a new-comer by label feliicity. Check out the music video of "episode" below.

kimriri will be DJ at event "3 Sides vol.4" on Thursday January 25 at Shimokitazawa Three. There will be performances by Hideki Kaji, Keichi & The Coconut Groove and more (details at Tokyo Gig Guide).

4. Hazy Sour Cherry "It's Only The End Of The World" (2023)
(Japanese title: Hazy Sour Cherry 「たかが世界の終わり」 "takaga sekai no owari")

This is the latest single of Hazy Sour Cherry (Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp), out now on 7" (Bandcamp, HMV, etc.). This is their first release with the band's latest line-up, with new drummer Super Nagai. As hints its title, the song apparently takes inspiration to the movie of the same name, and it is dedicated to director Xavier Dolan.

The single is also available digitally at Bandcamp, or otherwise the title song only is available on streaming platforms (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Hazy Sour Cherry have several upcoming shows, including one on January 21 at Music Bar Journey Yokohama, for the Japan tour of Kim Salmon's Smoked Salmon. Find details of all of their upcoming shows here.

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: kimriri, Hazy Sour Cherry, Sally Kubota Group feat. Miki Hirayama

5. Sally Kubota Group feat. Miki Hirayama "I'm Waiting For The Man" (2023)
(Japanese title: サリー久保田グループ feat. 平山みき 「僕は待ち人」 "boku wa machibito")

This collaboration of Sally Kubota Group and singer Miki Hirayama is the 4th EP of the "Girls At Our Best" series. Its title song is a cover of Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting For The Man". This was released as a CD EP also including a cover of France Gall's "Zozoi" plus four songs from a live performance. Watch the teaser clip below.

A 7" will be released on January 29, which can be pre-ordered at HMV, Tower Records.

Sally Kubota Group is a trio featuring Sally Kubota on bass, Nakayama Tsutomu on Hammond organ and Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums, joined by guest musician Takashi Itani on percussions.

Since the song isn't available digitally so far, a song from a previous release is included in the Spotify playlist.

6. Kidder Friendly Club "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" (2023)
(Japanese title: Kidder Friendly Club 「Kidderちゃん is happy bunny」)

Girl garage band Kidder Friendly Club (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube) has released last month a new mini-album titled "Kidder Friendly Philosophy" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" appears. Check out the fun music video below!

Kidder Friendly Club has a show on Thursday January 25 at Shinjuku Red Cloth. Find details here.

7. AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN "So" (2023)
(Japanese title: AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN 「ソー」)

Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan (𝕏, Instagram), nicknamed Konneki, is known both as a comedian/talent and a musical artist, and her music is produced by CMJK (Cutemen, ex-Denki Groove). "So" is her latest single released last October, it's an aggressive "no wave" track with sax and guitar. Check out the lyric video below (short version), and find the full song digitally here: Spotify, , YouTube Music.

Also check out the B-side which is a cover of Strawberry Switchblade's "Since Yesterday", and her previous and first release, "Air-Con Boom Boom Onesan E.P" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Kidder Friendly Club, AIR-CON BOOM BOOM ONESAN, Mukaju Dan

8. Mukaju Dan "Kaifuku to Sosei" (2023)
(Japanese title: 無果汁団 「回復と蘇生」)

Techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan has recently released a brand new 3rd album titled "Hinafu Tone" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which appears "Kaifuku to Sosei".

The album is named after its vocalist, Hinafu. Mukaju Dan is a production unit of which the main members are arranger Shock Tarō and composer Ton-chan, and their sound is reminiscent of Japanese new wave pop music such as early Pizzicato Five and Saeko Suzuki.

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.