Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Here's a new solo single from Kaede (Negicco). Titled "Wrong" in English, and in Japanese "ikenai", the title song was written and produced by the band Mitsume. The B-side is named "Fine Time" and was written and produced by The Recreations. Check out the music video of "Wrong" below.

Just released on CD and digitally, the two songs will also be released on 7" on October 12. Find details below.

In terms of solo releases, this follows "Leave It To Shining a Light" (2022).

A remix by jazz pianist Sora Ichikawa will also be coming digitally on October 2. Find details here.

Kaede "Wrong" (CD/Download)
Kaede 「いけない」
(Japanese title: "ikenai")

1. Wrong
2. Fine Time
3. Wrong (inst)
4. Fine Time (inst)

Fall Wait Records FAWA-0017
Out now (9/17), ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kaede "Wrong" (7")
Kaede 「いけない」
(Japanese title: "ikenai")

A. Wrong
B. Fine Time

Fall Wait Record FAWA-0018
Out 10/12, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Wrong"

Neo-doo-wop group Jintana & Emeralds has just released a new single digitally which comes as a split with Pan Pacific Playa mates Paisley Parks (SoundCloud). The new song "Summer Crazy Days" commemorates Yokohama crew PPP's 20th anniversary, and it features producer Latin Quarter, talkbox musician BTB, and guitarist Kashif (previously a member of Jintana & Emeralds). The song was mixed by Dub Master X. A remix by XTAL (also previously of Jintana & Emeralds) & Keita Sano is also included.

Jintana & Emeralds' vocalists are Toi Emeralds (a.k.a. hitomitoi), Cao Emeralds (a.k.a. Kami Kaoru), and Hikari Emeralds (of the group Mime).

The B-side is "A Moment of Silence" by Paisley Parks, the group formed of Nō, KES, Kent Alexander and SONY that has been active for a long time in Japan's juke/footwork scene.

As the artwork hints, there is word that a 7" release of the two main songs should also be coming.

JINTANA & EMERALDS / Paisley Parks "Summer Crazy Days c/w A MOMENT OF SILENCE" (Download)

(Artist / Title)
1. JINTANA & EMERALDS / Summer Crazy Days
2. Paisley Parks / A MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. JINTANA & EMERALDS / Summer Crazy Days (XTAL & KEITA SANO Daze Haze Maze Remix)

Pan Pacific Playa / P-Vine DGP-1435
Out now (9/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

DÉ DÉ MOUSE's latest collaboration collaboration is with the duo Milk Talk (Instagram, 𝕏, Bandcamp). The song is titled "Beautiful Criminal". Check out the music video below, which was directed by Milk Talk's singer Q.i.

For more of DÉ DÉ MOUSE's recent releases, check out the recent posts tagged "DE DE MOUSE" such as the previous one for "Skyscraper Starlight", and also his official site's news pages.

DÉ DÉ MOUSE & Milk Talk "Beautiful Criminal" (Download)

not records NOT0071
Out now (9/11)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Beatmaker/producer and AKAI MPC-user MPC GIRL USAGI (Instagram, 𝕏) has just released a new EP, titled "MOMENT EP". Included is the title track "MOMENT" which is a collaboration with trackmaker/singer-songwriter and modular synth musician Acidclank.

This EP is the follow-up to "Inside" (2023) (, Spotify, YouTube Music), since which MPC GIRL USAGI has also done more collaborations with other artists.

MPC GIRL USAGI "MOMENT EP" (Download)

1. HELLO
2. NO NEED TO WIN
3. 88E
4. MOMENT (with Acidclank)
5. Summer in Korea 2024

DOBEATU NBTU67
Out now (9/13)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Teaser clip

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.53) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on September 19 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: September 20, 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. Magic, Drums & Love "KE OLA JIVE" (2024)

The first song is Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love's brand new single, "KE OLA JIVE" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), out now on 7" and digitally. With doo-wap-like layered vocals, it has a Hawaiian touch of ukulele and steel guitar. Like as usual, the band's sound is produced by Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (of Learners, Neil and Iraiza, Cubismo Grafico).

The single's B-side is a remix by Dorian of the song "Tohhou Magic" (of which the original was also released on 7" last year).

A release party for the new single will be held on September 23 from 11:30 a.m. at Basement Bar in Shimokitazawa, also featuring Nihao!!!! and DJs Riyo Mountains and Clark Naitō. Find details and tickets here.

🎙️ Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Magic, Drums & Love and BLUEVALLEY

2. BLUEVALLEY "BMO" (2024)

Nagoya-based bassless lo-fi pop group BLUEVALLEY has recently released a digital EP named "WHITE ep" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), which includes the song "BMO".

This release was the follow-up to their first album "BLUEVALLEY" (2022), which is available digitally, on CD and also cassette tape.

3. Cocopuff Club "Be Myself" (2024)

Next is the latest song by Cocopuff Club (Bandcamp), the solo project of COCO (𝕏, Instagram) (lead singer and guitarist of THE LET'S GO's). This new song is available on Bandcamp, as well as two more songs released in the previous months.

Another new song should be coming, apparently taking inspiration from France, the destination of a recent tour of THE LET'S GO's.

4. MPC GIRL USAGI "MOMENT" (2024)

Beatmaker/producer and AKAI MPC-user MPC GIRL USAGI (Instagram, 𝕏) has just released a new EP, titled "MOMENT EP" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). "MOMENT" is its title track, and it's a collaboration with trackmaker/singer-songwriter and modular synth musician Acidclank.

This EP is the follow-up to "Inside" (2023) (Spotify, , YouTube Music), since which MPC GIRL USAGI has also done more collaborations with other artists.

🎙️ Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Cocopuff Club, MPC GIRL USAGI, xiangyu

5. xiangyu "haccha KO" (2024)
(Japanese title: xiangyu 「はっちゃKO」)

"haccha KO" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) is the latest song of xiangyu (𝕏, Instagram), again produced by Gimgigam (𝕏, Instagram) — same producer as her other recent works — who this time makes beats inspired by South-African Amapiano.

xiangyu explains that "haccha KO" it's about when eating out and having eaten all what you've ordered, and still being just a little bit hungry but just not enough to order something else... and then you notice that the person sitting at the next table has one leftover karaage (piece of fried chicken)...!

xiangyu will hold a self-organized live and talk event on Monday December 2 at O-nest in Shibuya. Tickets are available at e+.

6. CHiLi GiRL "FLY" (2024)

CHiLi GiRL, the project of singer-songwriter and shamisen player Shinobu Kawashima mixing traditional sounds and city music, has just released a new full-length album titled "CARAI" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music). "FLY" is the opening song, and it was arranged by Reiji Okii (of TWEEDEES, ex-Cymbals) who also plays the bass in it.

The album's CD edition comes with three bonus live tracks (CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower).

CHiLi GiRL will do a solo show on November 17 at Moon Romantic, backed by a full band and also featuring special guest Sho Kurashina of Good Bye April (details). Info of other shows can be found on her official site.

🎙️ Listen to Narration III
Presenting: CHiLi GiRL, Monari Wakita

7. Monari Wakita "UNI" (2023)
(Japanese tiitle: 脇田もなり 「UNI」)

From Monari Wakita's latest and 4th album, this is its title song "UNI" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), pronounced as in "universe". Dorian is the sound producer of the whole album, and the lyrics of "UNI" were written by Yurina da Gold Digger of Magic, Drums & Love, heard earlier, and who also plays drums in loupx garoux.

The album "UNI" is also available on CD, at Amazon, HMV, Tower, etc.

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.

CHiLi GiRL, the project of singer-songwriter and shamisen player Shinobu Kawashima mixing traditional sounds and city music, has just released a new full-length album! Follow-up to "Mebae" (2020) which had been released just digitally, here comes new album "CARAI" which comes as a physical release.

The opening song "FLY" features Reiji Okii (TWEEDEES, ex-Cymbals) who did the arrangement and plays the bass. Also included are singles previously released digitally — "Secret Secret", "One Q" (feat. Sho Kurashina of Good Bye April) and "Scrolling Girl" — and also several more new songs.

The album's CD edition includes three bonus tracks of live performances from a show held at Shibuya WWW on July 10, 2022. Otherwise the album is also available digitally, without the bonus tracks, at Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, etc.

CHiLi GiRL is now on tour on the U.S. West Coast along with MPC GIRL USAGI (Instagram). The two will make appearances at Santa Ana SBC (California) on September 8 from 9:00 and 16:00, and on September 13 they will be in Seattle for a show at Terry's Kitchen from 20:00. Find details on this Instagram post, and follow CHiLi GiRL's account for maybe more opportunities.

In Tokyo, there will be a solo show held on November 17 at Moon Romantic, backed by a full band (details). Info of other shows can be found on her official site.

CHiLi GiRL "CARAI"

1. FLY
2. Summer Romance Plan
3. Secret Secret
4. Scrolling Girl
5. strawberry chocolate night feat. MPC GIRL USAGI
6. Summer Sniper
7. One Q feat. Shō Kurashina (GOOD BYE APRIL)
8. Make You, Make Me

CD-only Bonus Tracks: Live at Shibuya WWW (2022.7.10)
9. tokai no mori
10. Bitter Young
11. nakimushi no hoshi feat. Shō Kurashina (GOOD BYE APRIL)

CD edition
Dobeatu DBTU27
Out now (9/4), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Digital edition
Out now (9/4)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"FLY"

"Secret Secret"

"strawberry chocolate night feat. MPC GIRL USAGI"

Singer-songwriter Ino hidefumi has just released a brand new 9th album, titled "Memories". It was entirely made in his home studio. Check out the music video of the song "Futashikana Sekai" below.

"Memories" is available on CD, LP and digitally. The CD edition comes with a bonus disc of instrumental versions. This album follows "In Dreams" (2021).

Ino hidefumi "Memories"
猪野秀史 「MEMORIES」

Disc 1
1. PORTAL
2. WHO ARE YOU?
3. FUKYO WAON
4. BUFFALO DANCE
5. BREAK-THRU
6. FUTASHIKANA SEKAI
7. WARNING
8. FIELD OF HEAVEN
9. ATTITUDE

Disc 2
1. PORTAL (Inst)
2. WHO ARE YOU? (Inst)
3. FUKYO WAON (Inst)
4. BUFFALO DANCE (Inst)
5. BREAK-THRU (Inst)
6. FUTASHIKANA SEKAI (Inst)
7. WARNING (Inst)
8. FIELD OF HEAVEN (Inst)
9. ATTITUDE (Inst)

CD edition
Innocent Record IRCD-009
Out now (9/6), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

A1. PORTAL
A2. WHO ARE YOU?
A3. FUKYO WAON
A4. BUFFALO DANCE
A5. BREAK-THRU
B1. FUTASHIKANA SEKAI
B2. WARNING
B3. FIELD OF HEAVEN
B4. ATTITUDE

Vinyl edition
Innocent Record IRLP005
Out now (9/6), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"FUTASHIKANA SEKAI"

A first-ever remix album of anime classic "Akira", music originally written and performed by Geinoh Yamashirogumi, has been released. The album is produced by Akira's creator Katsuhiro Ōtomo who selected the remixers: Makoto Kubota, Konishi Yasuharu (ex-Pizzicato Five), and Kuniaki Haishima. The double album has one full disc of remixes by Makoto Kubota, while the 2nd disc features Yasuharu Konishi and Kuniaki Haishima who each remix three tracks.

The album is available on CD and digitally. Check out the sampler clip below of one song by each of the remixers, and then find the album at your favorite source.

Geinoh Yamashirogumi "Akira Remix" (2CD)
芸能山城組 「AKIRA REMIX」

Disc 1
1. KANEDA (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
2. BATTLE AGAINST CROWN (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
3. WINDS OVER THE NEO-TOKYO (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
4. DOLLS' POLYPHONY (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
5. EXODUS FROM THE UNDERGROUND FORTRESS (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
6. ILLUSION (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
7. MUTATION (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
8. REQUIEM part1 (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
9. TETSUO (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
10. SHOHMYOH (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
11. REQUIEM part2 (Remixed by Makoto Kubota)
12. SHOHMYOH2 (Remixed by Makoto Kubota) (Bonus track)
13. TETSUO2 (Remixed by Makoto Kubota) (Bonus track)

Disc 2
1. WINDS OVER THE NEO-TOKYO (Remixed by Yasuharu Konishi)
2. DOLLS' POLYPHONY (Remixed by Yasuharu Konishi)
3. REQUIEM (Remixed by Yasuharu Konishi)
4. KANEDA (Remixed by Kuniaki Haishima)
5. SHOHMYOH (Remixed by Kuniaki Haishima)
6. ILLUSION (Remixed by Kuniaki Haishima)

Victor Entertainment VICL-65922
Out now (8/21), ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Digest clip

xiangyu (𝕏, Instagram) has just released a brand new song, again produced by Gimgigam (𝕏, Instagram) who this time makes beats inspired by South-African Amapiano.

The song is titled "haccha KO", and xiangyu explains it's about when eating out and having eaten all what you've ordered, and you're still just a little bit hungry but not enough to order something else, and then you notice that the person sitting at the next table has one leftover karaage (piece of fried chicken)...!

xiangyu will hold a self-organized live and talk event on Monday December 2 at O-nest in Shibuya. Tickets are available at e+.

xiangyu "haccha KO" (Download)
xiangyu 「はっちゃKO」

Kujaku Club/Tsubasa Records TRHG-1065
Out now (8/28)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love is releasing a brand new single! The title track "Ke Ola Jive" is a brand new song with doo-wap-like layered vocals, with a Hawaiian touch of ukulele and steel guitar. It is produced by Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (of Learners, Neil and Iraiza, Cubismo Grafico). The B-side is a remix by Dorian of the song "Tohhou Magic" (of which the original was released on 7" last year).

This release follows previous single "Keep Romance Alive".

A release party will be held on September 23 from 11:30 a.m. at Basement Bar in Shimokitazawa, also featuring Nihao!!!! and DJs Riyo Mountains and Clark Naitō. Find details and tickets here, and the band's full upcoming schedule on their official site.

Magic, Drums & Love "KE OLA JIVE" (7")

A. KE OLA JIVE
B. Tohhou Magic (Dorian Remix)

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCR9724
Out 9/4, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY, Drums & Loveのアルバム - Apple Music" style="border: 0px;">, Vivid Sound
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip