Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Rie Aono, who released the album "Pastoral" in 2017, has just released a brand new single digitally! The song is an original, of which the music was written and arranged by The Bookmarcs' Horasawa Tōru, with lyrics written by Rie herself.

The album "Pastoral" has recently become available on streaming platforms (, Bandcamp, OTOTOY). It can also be obtained on Bandcamp along with more of Rie's other works such as ones with her band aonorie & hums.

Rie Aono "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Download)

Rie Aono
Out now (10/27)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Trailer clip

This is a compilation album of Yukihiro Takahashi (YMO, METAFIVE) from 1980 to 1985. The songs were selected and remastered by Yoshinori Sunahara (METAFIVE). The CD edition has two discs, the first one of music from YT's own albums and singles, and the 2nd of songs he wrote or produced for other artists and ones from compilations around the same years. There's also a double-LP edition of the same contents as the first CD. The album's art direction and design is by Towa Tei (also of METAFIVE), with artwork by Tomoo Gokita.

There's a special page for the release here.

There will also be SACD-Hybrid and LP re-issues of "Murdered by the Music" and "Neuromantic" released on November 24. Pre-orders can be made already. Those are also remastered by Yoshinori Sunahara.

Yukihiro Takahashi "Grand Espoir" (2CD)
高橋幸宏 「グラン・エスポワール」

Disc 1
1. School Of Thought (from "Murdered by the Music")
2. Numbers From A Calculated Conversation (from "Murdered by the Music")
3. Connection (from "Neuromantic")
4. Grand Espoir (from "Neuromantic")
5. Drip Dry Eyes (from "Neuromantic")
6. Curtains (from "Neuromantic")
7. Sayonara (from "What, Me Worry?")
8. My Bright Tomorrow (from "Tomorrow's Just Another Day")
9. Are You Receiving Me? (Remix) (from "Tomorrow's Just Another Day")
10. And I Believe In You (from "Are You Receiving Me?" (Single))
11. Good Time (from "Tomorrow's Just Another Day")
12. Stranger Things Have Happened (from "Wild & Moody")
13. Kill That Thermostat (from "Wild & Moody")
14. Walking To The Beat (from "Wild & Moody")
15. Poisson d'Avril (from "Poisson d'Avril" (Single))

Disc 2
(Title / Artist)
1. Quatre / Rajie (from "Quatre" (Single))
2. Radio Junk / Sheena & The Rokkets (from "shinkū Pack")
3. Drip Dry Eyes / Sandii (from "Eating Pleasure")
4. Baby Maybe / Sheena & The Rokkets (from "Baby Maybe" (Single))
5. Radio to futari / Rajie (from "Radio to futari" (Single))
6. Last Pretender / Pink Lady (from "Last Pretender" (Single))
7. Maps / Omura Kenji (from "haru ga ippai")
8. koi seyo otome / SUSAN (from "koi seyo otome" (Single))
9. Samarkand ōdōri / SUSAN (from "Samarkand ōdōri" (Single))
10. Illusion / Sandii & the Sunsetz (from "Immigrants")
11. Chanel no 5ban no On The Rock / Sheena (from "itsudatte Beautiful")
12. bikkuri Party no Theme / Hosono Haruomi Takahashi Yukihiro (from "otoban Bikkuri House Ultra Psyche Bikkuri Party")
13. Door o hirakeba...... / Takahashi Yukihiro (from "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Various Artists)
14. Oh Le Beaux Japonais! (Original Karaoke Version) / S.E.T. (from "Yen Box Vol.1 Bonus Disc" by Various Artists)
15. chō o chigitta shōjo / Yasuda Narumi (from "Yasuda Narumi")
16. kyō, koi ga / Takahashi Yukihiro (from "shinu no wa iya da, kowai. sensō hantai!" by Snakeman Show)

Sony Music MHCL-30701
Out now (10/27), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Yukihiro Takahashi "Grand Espoir" (12"x2)
高橋幸宏 「グラン・エスポワール」

A1． School Of Thought
A2． Numbers From A Calculated Conversation
A3． Connection
A4． Grand Espoir
B1． Drip Dry Eyes
B2． Curtains
B3． Sayonara
C1． My Bright Tomorrow
C2． Are You Receiving Me? (Remix)
C3． And I Believe In You
C4． Good Time
D1． Stranger Things Have Happened
D2． Kill That Thermostat
D3． Walking To The Beat
D4． Poisson d'Avril

Sony Music MHJL-201
Out now (10/27), ¥5500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

LP unpacking clip

Michihiro Nakamura, singer of THE IMAGE, has just released his first solo album. Titled "Bossa Tokyo", its sound takes its roots from bossa nova with elements of jazz-funk, techno, electronica, etc. The songs are covers of some bossa nova standards but also of Velvet Underground ("I'm Waiting For The Man"), David Bowie ("Rebel Rebel") and The Doors ("Light My Fire"). One original song titled "Dandelion" is also included.

Featured guest vocalists are Frances Maya and Keissy Costa, and musicians include Arakawa Yui, Ori Makoto (Francis) and Aikawa Satoshi.

Also be sure to check out THE IMAGE's first two mini-albums "1" and "2".

Michihiro Nakamura "Bossa Tokyo" (Download)
中村通宏 「Bossa Tokyo」

1. Agua De Beber
2. The Gift (Recado BossaNova)
3. Samba De Uma Nota So (One Note Sumba) feat. Keissy Costa
4. Taj Mahal ~ DoYa Think Iʼm Sexy feat. Keissy Costa
5. Iʼm Waiting For The Man
6. Rebel Rebel
7. Dandelion feat. Frances Maya
8. Corcorvado
9. Waters Of March feat. Frances Maya
10. Light My Fire feat. Frances Maya

Mitch Records
Out now (10/27)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova)"

"Agua De Beber"

Wednesday Campanella (aka suiyōbi no Campanella) recently rebooted after former singer KOM_I passed the baton to new face Utaha (Instagram)! The first two songs have just been released digitally, as well as their music videos that you can watch below.

As before, the music is produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi who has in the recent years also been producing the music of xiangyu as well as his own solo works.

An event for the released will be held on December 8 at WALL&WALL in Omotesando. Details can be found here.

Wednesday Campanella "Alice / Buckingham" (Download)
水曜日のカンパネラの 「アリス / バッキンガム」

1. Alice
2. Buckingham

Warner Music Japan
Out now (10/27)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"Alice"

"Buckingham"

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who is celebrating this year the 10th anniversary of her debut, has a brand new album being released this week! It comes from her own label KRK LAB. Included are previously released singles "Kimiga Iine Kuretara", "Kamaitachi", "Gum Gum Girl" and "Gentenkaihi", plus a variety of brand new songs. As always, the whole is produced by Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE). For this special 10th anniversary year, the artwork team is the same as for her iconic major debut mini-album "moshimoshi Harajuku" (2011), with art director Steve Nakamura and also the same cameraman, stylist and hair & make-up artist.

The album is available in two editions, of which the limited edition comes in a hardcover digipak with a 64-page booklet.

Check out the latest lyric video for "Dodonpa" below. A new music video for the song "Candy Racer" will be premiered on YouTube on November 2 from 21:00 (JST). Add a reminder here.

A special live show will be held on release day October 27 from 20:00 (JST), and viewable until November 17. Find details and a countdown clock here.

For those who may have missed it, a 7" edition of "Kimiga Iine Kuretara" is still available (at least at Jet Set and HMV).

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Candy Racer"
きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ 「キャンディーレーサー」

1. DE.BA.YA.SHI. 2021
2. Candy Racer
3. Dodonpa
4. Kamaitachi
5. Gentenkaihi
6. Kimiga Iine Kuretara
7. Gum Gum Girl
8. Perfect Oneisan
9. Jumping Up
10. Natsuiro Flower
11. world fabrication

Limited edition (Hardcover digipak & 64-page booklet)
Nippon Columbia COCP-41612
Out now (10/27), ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition
NIPPON COLUMBIA COCP-41613
Out now (10/27), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Dodonpa" lyric video

"Gentenkaihi"

"Gum Gum Girl"

"Kamaitachi"

"Kimiga Iine Kuretara"

Yossy Little Noise Weaver is releasing a 7" of two covers, Plastics' "Peace" and Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side". The latter was previously released on compilation "apart my surround" (2010), and although "Peace" had been covered on their 3rd album "Volcano" (2010) here it appears in a brand new recording and arrangement with guest musicians Kurihara Tsutomu (of Little Creatures) on drums and Iga Wataru on bass.

Both songs can be sampled at Jet Set or at the band's official site.

Yossy Little Noise Weaver "Peace / Walk On The Wild Side" (7")

A. Peace
B. Walk On The Wild Side

Bus BUS009
Out 10/27, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Saoriiiii has just released a new single titled "Prove Myself". The music was written by TRON (Twitter) of Seijaku in Tokyo.

Saoriiiii will perform at a birthday event for FQTQ titled "StrawberryKick presents 'VeryBerryPOP! vol.1'" to be held on December 11 at Ebisu Batica, also featuring Evenyan Rollercoaster, Takei Mariko, Souchi Megane and more. Details can be found here.

Saoriiiii "Prove Myself" (Download)
Saoriiiii 「証明」
(Japanese title: "shōmei")

Rooftop Studio
Out now (10/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Following the delightful "Readymade mirai no ongaku" series of five CD+Book sets released at the beginning of the year, here comes a surprise 6th set in time for Christmas! The CD included is a compilation of Christmas songs selected by Konishi Yasuharu. Included are 29 of his favorite Christmas songs, of which six apparently never leave his record bag during the month of December. It's said that this is his first Christmas compilation in 27 years, which was "Merry Readymade" in 1994!

The booklet includes text by 35 guests who tell about their "Christmas gift to themselves". Needless to say, this is the perfect Christmas gift, even for yourself.

Aside from the links below, in Japan, this can also be ordered at Merurido (home of Oldays Records) and Readymade Shopping.

"Readymade mirai no ongaku Series - CD Book hen 06 'Christmas gō koyomi no ue de wa mirai no ongaku'" (CD+Book)
「レディメイド未来の音楽シリーズ CDブック篇 06 『クリスマス号 暦の上では未来の音楽』」

1. Buchanan And Goodman / Santa And The Satellite Part 1
2. The Drifters / White Christmas
3. Jimmy McGriff / White Christmas
4. The Mills Brothers / Here Comes Santa Claus
5. Elvis Presley / Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me
6. Ella & Louie / I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
7. Barbra Streisand / Jingle Bells
8. Leroy Anderson / Sleigh Ride
9. Andy Williams / Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells
10. The J's with Jamie / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
11. Lou Rawls / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
12. The Avalanches / Sleigh Ride
13. Buchanan And Goodman / Santa And The Satellite Part 2
14. Luiz Henrique / Song of Santa Claus
15. Billy May & his Orchestra / Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer Mambo
16. Joe Mr. Piano' Henderson / Swinging Sleigh Ride
17. Al Hirt / Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
18. Chet Atkins / Deck The Halls
19. Al Hirt & Ann Margret / Baby, It's Cold Outside
20. Paul Anka / I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
21. Nina & Frederik / Christmas Time In London Time
22. Millie Small / I've fallen In Love With A Snowman
23. The Tymes / Wonderful! Wonderful!
24. Bobby Vinton / The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
25. Wayne King and his Orchestra / Jing-A-ling-A-ling
26. The Brothers Four / I'll Be home For Christmas
27. Paul Anka / Christmas Greeting by Paul Anka
28. Julie London / I'd like you for Christmas
29. Patti LaBelle And The Bluebelles / White Christmas

Oldays Records ODR7006
Out 11/26, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Previous releases of the same series:
#01 2021.01.29: "yoasobi ni tsukarete shimatta"
#02 2021.02.26: "neko mo shakushi mo Twist"
#03 2021.03.26: "watakushi no Saint-Germain-des-Prés"
#04 2021.04.30: "renai ni akite shimatta"
#05 2021.05.28: "nanimokamo akite shimatta"

DJ and producer BUBBLE-B, known for various activities such as his J-death techno label Speedking Productions as well as his units BUBBLE-B feat. Enjo-G and KARATECHNO, is back with a solo album of ambient music which has for concept a "trip to an island very far away". With 14 tracks totaling 60 minutes, the edition available via Bandcamp comes with two bonus tracks.

In Japan a CD edition can also be bought at his online shop where T-shirts and a sticker are also sold.

BUBBLE-B "Ambient for the Farthest Land"
BUBBLE-B 「最果てアンビエント」
(Japanese title: "saihate Ambient")

1. BOARDING
2. LALUS CRASSIROSTRIS
3. CHLOROPHYLL DUB
4. DEEP BLUE LANDSCAPE
5. WATER OF SOUND
6. YURAMEKI
7. PHYSIOLATRY
8. MAGMA
9. KURIL
10. QUIET WAVE, SINE WAVE
11. PERSPECTIVE
12. RIA COASTLINE
13. 1721
14. INFINITE AIR

Toy Label
Out now (10/20)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

Sampler clip

NUBACK, the solo project of musician/singer-songwriter Dai Nakamura (also of BANK, Vacation Three, ex-Arch), has just released a new digital EP titled "Sorekara". With a vocal title track followed by three instrumentals, the songs sketch the summer of 2021. Already available on Bandcamp, it will also be coming to other download/streaming platforms on November 10.

In terms of NUBACK releases, this follows digital EP "Still Life" released in August 2020, since which the 7" "When The Party Is Over" was released on German label Growing Bin.

Also, Dai Nakamura recently started a new project called Blank Music, releasing EP "My Name is Blank" in February.

NUBACK "Sorekara" (Download)
NUBACK 「それから」

1. Sorekara
2. Modern Pop Life
3. Don't Trust
4. Down The Line

Too Young Records
Out now (10/17)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music

A 2-CD of greatest hits and rarities of Kyoto rock'n'roller Ban Hiroshi (Twitter) has just been released! The selection covers his whole career so far since his debut single in 1978 ("ano ko ni nage KISS") when he was 18, up to his recent 60th birthday single "Jeremy".

Disc 1 contains songs from "Ban-chan to Rock" (1984) (tracks 1-5), Smash Hits' first single (1982) (tracks 6-7), Smash Hits previously unreleased songs (tracks 8-10), a Smash Hits live song (track 11), Apple Dolls' first single (1978) (track 12), previously unreleased demos (1991) (tracks 13-15) and The Bambies' previously unreleased live songs (tracks 16-18). Disc 2 is a selection of the best songs of his band Bambino, including some non-album tracks, and two bonus tracks of remixes by Comoesta Yaegashi and Groove Unchant.

Jet Set gives away a bonus CD-R of 4 songs from a live show in 1982 (while supplies last).

Bambino's song "atasha Rock 'n'!" was played on Tokyo's Coolest Sound's radio show vol.13 (January 2021).

Ban Hiroshi "Music Is My Life" (2CD)

Disc 1 "Very Best of Ban Hiroshi 1978~1998 (Red disc)"
1. sekai wa kimi o aishiteru
2. 10dai wa Golden Time
3. ikasuze koitsu!
4. kyo no namida wa ashita no niji sa
5. suttobi Hiroshi Gojūsantsugi
6. koi no harikiri Boy
7. Tell Me
8. Smash tengoku
9. tokimeki Hillbilly Train
10. dengeki Psychic daisakusen
11. Teddy Boy
12. ano ko ni nage KISS
13. bokura
14. Goodbye Girl
15. chiisana sekai
16. Magic Kiss
17. Shut Up
18. yoru ni noritai

Disc 2 "Bambino Collection (Blue disc)"
1. Bambino Twist
2. kakkoii
3. ikasuze koitsu! (Tropical Version)
4. suttobi Hiroshi Gojūsantsugi (hissatsu Version)
5. koi ga banban
6. Mister Lonely Man
7. Everyday I Have A Rock
8. Rare Hunter 5963
9. ano ko wa doko ni itta no darō
10. atasha Rock 'n'!
11. 50 Blues (Sayoko-daisy MIX)
12. Dance kinshirei
13. Louie Louie kibun de
14. konya wa Rock With You
15. seimei no uta
16. Jeremy
17. kakkoii (Comoesta Yaegashi MIX) (Bonus track)
18. suttobi Hiroshi Gojūsantsugi (Groove Unchant MIX)

Super Fuji FJSP440
Out 10/20, ¥3300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Trailer clip

Haruko Tajima has just released a new song titled "King Diva" which features Yukkyun (one half of Cinema Boy CQ).

Yukkyun gained a lot of attention with the recent single "Diva Me", of which the music video involved the same videographer as for "King Diva". For Haruko, the new song follows "Joshibi Mad Dog" out last month.

A show of Cinema and Boy CQ will be held on November 4 and can be watched online. Find details here. Meanwhile Haruko Tajima will make a performance at OGGYWEST's release event for album "sulfur", on October 24 at Shimokitazawa Live Haus (details). She appeared on the song "Melty Kiss" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Haruko Tajima "King Diva feat. Yukkyun" (Download)
田島ハルコ 「KING DIVA feat. ゆっきゅん」

Haruko Tajima & Bailefunk Kakeko
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

KETTLES (Facebook, Bandcamp, Twitter) is a rock'n'roll duo of guitar and drums formed in 2008, who both also sing. Here comes a 7" single of two covers of which they had posted performances on YouTube in 2014 and 2015, doing their own takes of The La's "Timeless Melody" and Beck "Devils Haircut" both sung in Japanese lyrics!

The release comes from BOOTREC and KiliKiliVilla, a combination that had been bringing the releases of Childish Tones and Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura. This is the first of a new series of releases under the "Nu Psychic Teen Sounds!" slogan.

The next release from BOOTREC will be a 7" of Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura's "Girls Wanna See No Cry / tsumetai hatsukoi (It's Cold Outside)", coming on December 10. Stay tuned for details!

KETTLES "Timeless Melody / Devils Haircut" (7")

A. Timeless Melody
B. Devils Haircut

KiliKiliVilla KKV-121VL
Out 10/22, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Timeless Melody"

"Devils Haircut"

Takako Ohta, a singer and voice actress known for "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel" and many songs from the series, has just released a new album titled "Voice of Angel", her first in 31 years! Several self-covers are included, plus two new songs ("dai-ren-ai β" and "mahō β").

The album was sound-produced by ayU tokiO, and features various musicians and bands such as Magic, Drums & Love, OCHA∞ME, Yanagisawa Machiko to Machiko no Kyōryu (ex-MAHOΩ, Wienners), nakayaan (Mitsume), Fujimura Yorimasa (ex-Siamese Cats), Isobe Satoru (Puné Loi), Kameda Taku (Owarikara, YOMOYA), and members of Murabanku.

A 7" of "Delicate ni suki shite" and "mahō β" will be released for Record Day 2021 on November 27. Pre-orders can be placed at CDJapan and HMV.

Takako Ohta "Voice of Angel"
太田貴子 「Voice of Angel」

1. Delicate ni suki shite
2. LOVE sarigenaku
3. Beautiful Shock
4. Truth
5. dai-ren-ai β
6. anata ni ichiban kiku kusuri
7. Girls Talk
8. BIN-KAN Rouge
9. Heart no SEASON
10. machikado no Billy The Kid
11. tenshi no Miracle
12. mahō β

SOLID CDSOL-1949
Out 10/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sampler clip

Following last month's "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Takanami keitaro edition)", here comes the second digital compilation of Pizzicato Five, this time focusing on songs penned by Konishi Yasuharu. The 32 songs (over 2 hours!) were apparently selected from Columbia's catalog up to the end of the Triad years — on which I believe the last Pizzicato Five release was "A Message Song e.p.", its artwork and the duo's outfits covered with Triad label logo.

The songs featured were first released on mainly: "London-Paris-Tokyo e.p." (1991), "Readymade Recordings e.p." (1991), "This Year's Girl" (1991), "Sweet Pizzicato Five" (1992), "Bossa Nova 2001" (1993), "Happy Sad" (single) (1994), "Superstar" (single) (1994), "Overdose" (1994), "Sister Freedom Tapes" (1996), "Great White Wonder" (1996), and "A Message Song e.p." (1997).

A third digital compilation focusing on Maki Nomiya will follow on November 17, and a 2-CD compilation related to the series will be released on November 24.

Also, the release of a Pizzicato Five 7" has been announced for Record Day 2021 on November 27, containing the songs "à tokyo" and "Playboy, Playgirl". It can be pre-ordered at CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, etc.). Pre-order while you can!

Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Konishi yasuharu edition)" (Download)
ピチカート・ファイヴ 「配信向けのピチカート・ファイヴ その2 小西康陽の巻」
(Japanese title: "haishin muke no Pizzicato Five sono 2 Konishi yasuharu no maki")

1. London-Paris (from "London-Paris-Tokyo e.p.")
2. All About The Married Life (Live) (from "Readymade Recordings e.p.")
3. Jinx (from "Readymade Recordings e.p.")
4. Lament No.5 (from "Readymade Recordings e.p.")
5. Ohayo (from "This Year's Girl")
6. Tout Va Bien (PIZZICATO FREE SOUL a.k.a Ska Mix)
7. Strawberry Sleighride (from "Bossa Nova 2001")
8. Face B (from "Happy Sad" single)
9. Superstar (from "Superstar" single)
10. Fortune Cookie (from "Superstar" single)
11. Shopping Bag (from "Overdose")
12. The Sweetest Girl (from "Overdose")
13. Questions (from "Overdose")
14. Happy Sad (TYO Version)
15. Domino (from "Sister Freedom Tapes")
16. Snowflakes (from "Sister Freedom Tapes")
17. Mini Cooper (from "Sister Freedom Tapes")
18. Holger & Marcus (from "Sister Freedom Tapes")
19. Cornflakes (from "Sister Freedom Tapes")
20. Passing By (Friendly Track) (from "Sister Freedom Tapes" CD edition)
21. Passing By (Friendly Friends) (from "Sister Freedom Tapes" vinyl edition)
22. All About Me (I) (Instrumental) (from "Great White Wonder")
23. Happy Birthday (from "Great White Wonder")
24. The Awakening (Demo Version) (from "Great White Wonder")
25. Catwalk (St. Etienne Remix) (from "Great White Wonder")
26. Like I Do (from "Great White Wonder")
27. Friend & Lover (from "Great White Wonder")
28. Spellbound (from "Great White Wonder")
29. What's New Pussycat? (from "Great White Wonder")
30. Me, Japanese Boy I Love You (from "Great White Wonder")
31. Everybody Loves Somebody (from "A Message Song e.p.")
32. Gin-chan no Love Letter (from "A Message Song e.p.")

********** records / Nippon Columbia
Out now (10/20)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Two years in the making, Maika Loubté has just released her brand new album "Lucid Dreaming"! This is the follow-up to "Closer" (2019), but it already feels like it's been a long time as she had remained active releasing many singles and doing collaborations since then.

Included are album edits of "Spider Dancing" and "Show Me How", as well as other recent singles "Mist", "5AM", "System" (a collaboration with Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth), "It's So Natural feat. AAAMYYY" and "Flower In The Dark", and yet as many more brand new songs!

Maika Loubté "Lucid Dreaming" (Download)

1. I Was Swimming To The Shore And Heard This
2. Flower In The Dark
3. Mist
4. It's So Natural feat. AAAMYYY
5. Spider Dancing (Album edit)
6. Demo CD-R From The Dead
7. 5AM
8. Kids On The Stage
9. Broken Radio
10. Show Me How (Album edit)
11. Lucid Dreaming
12. System with. Ryan Hemsworth
13. Nagaretari
14. Zenbu Dreaming

Water Records
Out now (10/20)
Sample/buy: Spotify, (World), (Japan), OTOTOY, YouTube Music

"Zenbu Dreaming"

Album teaser clip (Song: "Nagaretari")

"Flower In The Dark" lyric video

"It's So Natural feat. AAAMYYY" (Limited Animation Ver. - Short Music Video)

"System with Ryan Hemsworth" lyric video

"Spider Dancing"

"Mist" lyric video

dip in the pool, the unit of composer/arranger Tatsuya Kimura and lyricist/singer Miyako Koda which started in 1983, is releasing an album titled "8 red noW", which is an updated version of the 1997 album "Wonder 8". Included are 6 remastered songs from that album plus two new recordings! Those are "Colour of life", a collaboration with Montréal artist CFCF, and a cover of Mr. Fingers' "What about this love".

The art direction and jacket artwork are by Mic*Itaya, featuring the character Ursula which represents a pilot who guides the group members and all passengers for a trip.

dip in the pool "8 red noW"

1. Lucy
2. What about this love
3. I feel so good
4. Spring of love
5. midori no kōsen
6. She's a fruit
7. On LINE
8. Colour of life

Plancha/Art Union ARTPL-158
Out 10/20, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Colour of life" short video

"What about this love" teaser clip

fox capture plan is releasing a brand new 10th album titled "XRONICLE" (read "Chronicle"). Along with many new songs, included is a self-cover of "Evolution of science", a cover of Dido's "Thank You"

This year celebrates the instrumental jazz-rock trio's 10th anniversary. Last year they released 8th album "Discovery", which was followed by concept album "Nebula" in May this year, and then tribute album "Escape" in July.

10th anniversary live shows will be held on December 22 and 23 at the Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo. The show on day 1 is titled "NEBULA", and the one on day 2 "XRONICLE".

fox capture plan "XRONICLE"

1. The Dawn Coming
2. Akashic Xronicles
3. Nexus
4. DRIVIN'
5. Jazz me tender
6. Time / Break
7. Evolution of science
8. Ritual Dance
9. thank you
10. fox straight ahead

Playwright PWT-90
Out 10/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Akashic Xronicles"

Hipster Image's hit song "Make Her Mine" (from 1965), and its remix by Konishi Yasuharu (first released in 1999 on a compilation titled "The Mod Scene 2"), are being released for the first time on 7"! This limited release comes on red vinyl.

The remix was also included in his remix compilation "Attractions!" released in 2010.

Both songs can be sampled at Jet Set.

Hipster Image "Make Her Mine" (7")

A. Make Her Mine
B. Make Her Mine (The Readymade All That Jazz)

Universal Music UIKY-75108
Out 10/20, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Three Berry Icecream (Twitter), the solo unit of Mayumi Ikemizu (a former member of the band Bridge), has just released digitally a brand new song titled "Another World"!

This is a first cut from the upcoming album "Three Berry Icecream", which will be released for Record Day on November 27. This will actually be Three Berry Icecream's first full-length album! The album can already be pre-ordered online at Disques Blue-Very, Amazon and HMV.

The album was recorded with musicians Osamu Shimada (The Caraway, Swinging Popsicle), Kiyotaka Sugimoto (orangenoise shortcut), Yasushi Sakurai (Corniche Camomile), Hisashi Iwabuchi (Sloppy Joe), Miki Hirose (h-shallows), as well as several more guest musicians. Mastering is done by Seiki Satō.

A few copies of a recent split cassette titled "My Summer Melody" on Indonesian label Shiny Happy Records are available via Bandcamp (also available digitally), or from Japan at disques blue-very. Also, the compilation LP "The Selection of Three Berry Icecream" which was released at the end of 2020 can be found at label Disques Blue-Very's Bandcamp (also digitally), Jet Set and HMV.

Three Berry Icecream can be seen live at event "POPS Parade vol.31 'We Love Records!!!'" on November 20 at Shibuya Loft Heaven, together with Hideki Kaji (also a former member of Bridge!) and Grenfelle.

Three Berry Icecream "Another World" (Download)

miobell records
Out now (10/15)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Don't miss reading Tokyo's Coolest Sound's exclusive interview with The Courettes & mix engineer Seiki Satō!

The Courettes, a Brazilian/Danish garage rock guitar & drums duo who takes inspiration from 60s girl groups, is back a brand new 3rd album titled "Back In Mono"! Aiming for an authentic Phil Spector-esque Wall of Sound texture, the group asked for their music to be mixed by Japanese engineer Seiki Satō, who is known for his work such as mixing band SOLEIL (also originally in mono) as well as producing his own group microstar.

"It's as if The Ronettes and The Ramones were invited to a wild party in Gold Star Studios' echo chamber" is how the band likes to explain its aspirations. This album's songs and their characteristic sound are sure to take you back in time, and also confuse the inadvertent listener who might believe they're hearing a classic from way back then despite that the tunes are originals. As the album title says the whole was mixed in mono, and this succeeds in reaching the authentic wall of sound texture that the duo has been aiming for, while keeping a great dose of garage rock. Filled with songs just between 2 and 3 minutes, the whole is a delight!

The album is available on CD as well as in a vinyl edition limited to 1000 on blue-colored vinyl and 500 on black vinyl. Out at the same time is a 7" single of the song "R.I.N.G.O.", with on the B-side an exclusive re-recording of The Courettes' classic "The Boy I Love". Find details below.

Those new to The Courettes will also want to check out the recent remastered 2-in-1 album "Here We Are The Courettes" (including all songs of 1st album "Here Are The Courettes" and 2nd album "We Are The Courettes") (order at label Damaged Goods Records (UK) or at Juno (UK), or in Japan at Amazon or Tower Records (Japan only)). These first two albums were also newly re-issued on vinyl in July.

The Courettes "Back In Mono"

1. Want You! Like A Cigarette
2. I Can Hardly Wait
3. Hey Boy
4. Night Time (The Boy Of Mine)
5. R.I.N.G.O.
6. Until You're Mine
7. Trash Can Honey
8. Hop The Twig
9. Misfits & Freaks
10. My One And Only Baby
11. Too Late To Say I'm Sorry
12. Edge Of My Nerves
13. Won't Let You Go
14. Cry Cry Cry

LP edition
Damaged Goods Records DAMGOOD560LP
Out 10/15
Order: Amazon Japan, Tower Records ^†, Damaged Goods (UK), Juno (UK)
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

CD edition
Damaged Goods Records DAMGOOD560CD
Out 10/15
Order: Amazon Japan, Tower Records ^†, Damaged Goods (UK), Juno (UK)
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Digital edition
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

The Courettes "R.I.N.G.O." (7")

A. R.I.N.G.O.
B. The Boy I Love

Damaged Goods Records DAMGOOD566V
Out 10/15
Order: Amazon Japan, Tower Records ^†, Damaged Goods (UK), Juno (UK)
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Digital edition
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Trash Can Honey"

"Misfits & Freaks"

"R.I.N.G.O."

"Hop The Twig"

"I Can Hardly Wait" and "Want You! Like A Cigarette"
(Live performance by The Courettes' Wall Of Sound All Starr Band)

Hoshikuzu Scat released today a new song titled "la distanza", which was written by member Mitz Mangrove, and arranged by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone).

This release follows digital single "Christmas kanpa" (December 2020) which was also arranged by Nakatsuka Takeshi.

Hoshikuzu Scat "la distanza" (Download)
星屑スキャット 「la distanza」

Nippon Columbia
Out now (10/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Emiri Kanou has just released a brand new song digitally, titled "Wasurenaiwa" (translates to "I won't forget") and featuring R&B singer Ryūto Kasahara. The recording was done in Hokkaido which is the home prefecture of the two.

Emiri's previous release was single "Asaninare" in September 2020, which was later released on 7".

Emiri Kanou "Wasurenaiwa feat. Ryuto Kasahara" (Download)
加納エミリ 「忘れないわ feat. 笠原瑠斗」

1. Wasurenaiwa feat. Ryuto Kasahara
2. Wasurenaiwa feat. Ryuto Kasahara (Instrumental)

Emiri Kanou
Out now (10/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Official audio

Pasocom Music Club has just released a 3rd album titled "See-Voice". Featured guest vocalists are Kawabe Moto (Mitsume), ayu inotsume (aka ayU tokiO), Yumiki Erino, Tokiyo Ooto (And Summer Club), unmo and Sagesaka Tomoyuki (isagen).

Pasocom Music Club "See-Voice"
パソコン音楽クラブ 「See-Voice」

1. Dehors (Intro)
2. Listen
3. Locator
4. Far
5. Aqua Glass
6. Panorama
7. Underwater
8. Sun Point
9. Voice
10. Nukete
11. Innocent Blue
12. Affirmation
13. Around the core
14. Uminari

Pasocom Music Club PSCM004
Out now (10/13), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Teaser 1

Teaser 2

Osaka-based instrumental jazz-rock band Calmera has just released a new 7" single, a cut from their 12th album "Tasogare Resonance" released earlier this year (, Spotify, YouTube Music). With for A-side "Golden Hour" (watch the video below!), the B-side is a cover of Antônio Carlos Jobim's "Desafinado" which features jazz singer akiko but in an exclusive Portuguese version that's different from the album.

Both songs can be sampled at Jet Set.

A previous 7" from the same album, of songs "ue ni ikitakunai Depart" and "Mato Pato", is still available at least at CDJapan and HMV. Both 7" releases are on Unchantable Records.

Calmera "Golden Hour / Desafinado feat. akiko" (7")

A. Golden Hour
B. Desafinado feat. akiko

Unchantable Records UCT-038
Out now (10/6), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Golden Hour"

Nona Reeves has just released a 7" cut from latest & 17th album "Discography". The songs included are "Disco Amigo", the ending theme song of movie "yūsei ōji 2021", and for B-side the album's first track "Seventeen". Both are dancefloor-friendly up-tempo songs.

Nona Reeves "Disco Amigo / Seventeen" (7")

A. Disco Amigo
B. Seventeen

daydream park records DPREP-0002
Out now (10/6), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Jazztronik is back with an instrumental EP titled "Universal Language", which is performed as a trio formed of Ryota Nozaki (piano & keyboards), Ichiro Fujiya (bass) and Masanori Amakura (drums). It had been almost years since the previous original album "BB1" (2017).

A tour of Japan will be held for the release, to end on November 9 in Tokyo at Veats Shibuya. Details can be found here.

Jazztronik "Universal Language" (Download)

1. Move
2. The Hare and the Tortoise
3. In the Forest
4. Evening Shower
5. Don't miss that train
6. 1976

753Records
Out now (10/6)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Sampler clip

POLY is the solo project of Yasuda Chihiro (also a member of Klang Ruler), a multi-artist who creates music and fashion. This is a 7" release of two songs from this year which were arranged by Chocoholic. POLY wrote the music and lyrics and also did the jacket artwork. Check out the music videos below. A download code is included.

This 7" release comes from Typ!cal Records, which is releasing at the same time 7"s by ORDER of THINGS (Hiroshi Fujiwara and Kōki Okamoto) and Rocketman (city pop band from Thailand, already sold out). There were other 7" releases by the label in the recent months, by R.A.E (UK), Thalassa (Thailand), Karl X Johan (Sweden) and cehryl (US). Find all details at Typ!cal Records' Bandcamp.

POLY "Prided" (7")

A. PRIDED
B. Midnight Bedroom

Typ!cal Records TYPI013
Out 10/8, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"PRIDED" lyric video

"Midnight Bedroom"

Two songs by ORDER of THINGS, the unit of Hiroshi Fujiwara and Kōki Okamoto (OKAMOTO'S), have just been released on 7"! "Mind Roaming" and "Sixth" were first released as a digital single in March 2021. Featured musicians are Shunsuke Watanabe (Schroeder-Headz) on keyboards and Makoto Abe on bass. Check out the music videos below.

This release comes from Typ!cal Records, which is releasing at the same time 7"s by Rocketman (city pop band from Thailand, release including a remix by Hiroshi Fujiwara, which seems to already have sold out) and POLY, has also released in the recent months more 7"s by R.A.E (UK), Thalassa (Thailand), Karl X Johan (Sweden) and cehryl (US). Find all details at Typ!cal Records' Bandcamp.

ORDER of THINGS "Mind Roaming / Sixth" (7")

A. Mind Roaming
B. Sixth

Typ!cal Records TYPI010
Out 10/8, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Mind Roaming"

"Sixth"

Girl chorus group Machida Girls' Choir has just released a new single digitally. Titled "Voice In Space", it was written by the two of microstar!

This is the 3rd monthly single, all of which had a spacey theme, starting with "Planetarium no aru machi de" in August (, Spotify, YouTube Music) and followed by "Seven Stars" in September (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Machida Girls' Choir "Voice In Space" (Download)
まちだガールズクワイア 「Voice In Space」

SAT Records/Machida Sonic LLC.
Out now (10/1)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Three years since "Last Aloha" (2018), Halfby is back with a brand new album! "Loco" is the last installment of the Hawaii-themed trilogy that started with "Innn Hawaii" (2015). Featured vocalists are Jun "JxJx" Saitō (Your Song Is Good), mei ehara, Ruru, Ginger Root and Richard Natto. Guest musicians are MC sirafu (aka mantaschool, of kataomoi, The Natsuyasumi Band), Reisavulo Adachi and Shūhei Ueda (aka Rufus).

This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of Halfby!

Halfby "Loco"

1. Loco
2. Everything Needs Love feat. Jun Saito
3. Calm As Day feat. Ruru
4. Beach Baby Be Mine feat. Richard Natto
5. A Lei, A Kiss, And Aloha
6. Quiet Rain
7. Fushigi feat. mei ehara
8. Hawaii Calls 2021
9. Let's Stay Out feat. Ginger Root
10. Fish And Poi
11. Sleepy Lagoon
12. Sunset Cruise Club
13. I'll Remember you feat. Ruru
14. Love Aloha

felicity PCD-27055
Out 10/6, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Let's Stay Out feat. Ginger Root"

"Calm As Day feat. Ruru"

Singer-songwriter Momoko Motion has just released a 2nd song digitally with her latest project, Momoko Motion and Quilts. Watch the music video for "Feeling Vegetables" below and find it on a download platform.

This song, along with "High" released in August (a self-cover of Futon), will appear on the upcoming album "Lemon is gray" coming next year. More songs should be released every one or two months. Stay tuned with Momoko Motion's upcoming releases by following her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Momoko Motion and Quilts "Feeling Vegetables" (Download)
Momoko Motion and Quilts 「野菜をさわる」

3rdeyedisc
Out now (9/29)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Michihiro Nakamura, singer of THE IMAGE (see mini-albums "1" and "2"), has just released a 2nd solo single. This one is a cover of standard "The Gift" also known as "Recado Bossa Nova", or originally "Recado", the song written by Djalma Ferreira in 1959.

Following the release of "Agua De Beber" in August, these two lead the way to his upcoming album "Bossa Tokyo" to be released on October 27. Stay tuned for details! A new single by THE IMAGE will also follow in late November.

Michihiro Nakamura "The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova)" (Download)
中村通宏 「The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova)」

Mitch Records
Out now (9/29)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY