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.50) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on June 20 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: June 21, 2024 from 9:30 a.m.

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 (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. The Pen Friend Club "Got To Get You Into My Life" (2024)

This is the opening song from The Pen Friend Club's new album "Back In The Pen Friend Club" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), the first featuring their new vocalist Niina (UK-born British-Japanese). The album is also available on CD (CDJapan, HMV).

The Pen Friend Club also recently released a split 7" with Goichiiiii for Record Store Day 2024.

A free show will be held at the New Ginger Museum on Saturday June 29 (details & seat reservations by email). Other upcoming shows in Tokyo include one with Goichiiiii on August 4 at Shimokitazawa Live Haus, and one with Machida Girls Choir on September 23 at Nishi-Eifuku Jam. Find all upcoming show details here.

Watch this live performance of "Got To Get You Into My Life" from a show at the New Ginger Museum in December 2023.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: The Pen Friend Club, perfect young lady

2. perfect young lady "EVENING" (2021, 2024)

Lo-fi synth-pop solo artist perfect young lady (SoundCloud, Bandcamp, 𝕏) released a first CD album titled "BEST 2020-2023" (Jet Set, Disk Union), consisting of 21 songs and totaling 72 minutes. As the title hints, many of the songs are ones previously heard on the albums she has been releasing digitally on Bandcamp, though she has re-recorded her singing for this release. The song "Evening" is a classic early one that first appeared around 2021 and has been performed in several versions.

Check out the album's sampler clip below, and also the music video of song "kanpeki na wakai josei.

3. OCHA∞ME "you'll never walk alone" (2024)

The band OCHA∞ME (Instagram, 𝕏) has released two new songs digitally so far this year, the first being "you'll never walk alone" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Check out its music video below!

That was followed by another song titled "Morning Routine" (music video).

On June 29, a show organized jointly by OCHA∞ME and Hazy Sour Cherry (two bands in which Tsuzumi is a common member) will be held at Shimokitazawa Live Haus. Details can be found here.

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: OCHA∞ME, Owarikarahajimari

4. Owarikarahajimari "back to me" (2024)
(Japanese title: おわりからはじまり 「back to me」)

Owarikarahajimari is an electronic rock band, formed of Ayup1ko (vocals & keyboards) Naka Tomizawa (aka King of Opus) (guitar, bass, programming), ALi Sueoka (guitar), and Wada Masao (computer/sound effects). All members also sing backing vocals.

Following the release of first EP "last dance" (Bandcamp) last year, the unit released this year the new song "back to me" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). More should also follow!

A show will be held this Saturday, June 22 at Asagaya mogu mogu, starting at 18:30. Find details and reserve here.

5. usabeni "atmosphere" (2024)

Self-produced idol usabeni (a.k.a. Beni Usakura) has reeleased a new EP titled "AIR" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), which includes new song "atmosphere" that has music written by Hyoe Yasuhara and Feww.

usabeni has several shows planned in Tokyo this summer, starting with one on Friday July 5 for the release party of eik, at Shibuya Club Malcolm (details). There will also be a show of Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura on Friday July 19 at Ogikubo Top Beat Club (details). Find her full schedule here.

6. WAY WAVE "nagasarete ikō" (2024)
(Japanese title: WAY WAVE 「流されていこう」)

Funky soulful sisters unit Way Wave has released this monthh a brand new album titled "Journey" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), their first that is self-produced. The song "nagasarete ikō" was written by the two of Way Wave, and has sound produced by Hara Hiroaki of The Good Kids (band in which Way Wave also take part). Watch the music video below!

The CD edition of the album includes a 23-minute non-stop mix by DJ arinco (who most often backs the duo in their shows).

7. Tokyo Kakehiki Club "Chiba Peanuts Railway" (2023)
(Japanese title: Tokyoかけひき倶楽部 「バーチーGo!なら総武線」 "Bāchī Go! nara Sōbu-sen")

Tokyo Kakehiki Club (𝕏) is a duo that takes inspiration from the late 80's, featuring singers Saginomiya Shirō and Suichūka Ranko (aka Mayutan (Masakosan)). From their first album "Encore" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), this is the song "Chiba Peanuts Railway" in which they sing the stations of Sōbu line on the way to Chiba (the prefecture just East of Tokyo).

The album is available digitally, but also in a CD edition (Amazon) which contains bonus narrative skits between each song.

Tokyo Kakehiki Club have an upcoming show on Tuesday July 2 at Shindaita Fever, also featuring Dadadams, °C-want you!, and Nihao!!!! (details).

"Chiba Peanuts Railway" lyric video

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: usabeni, WAY WAVE, Tokyo Kakehiki Club, YMCK

8. YMCK "Fourteen☆Revolution" (2024)
(Japanese title: YMCK 「フォーティーン☆レボリューション」)

YMCK has released this month a new digital single! "Shining Summer Dream / Fourteen☆Revolution" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) are two summer city pop tracks, and of course they are done in their signature 8-bit style!

YMCK will next perform at event "Techno Elegance II" on July 14 at Shimokitazawa Flowers Loft (details).

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.