Record Day 2019
Record Day 2019, an initiative of Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is being held this Sunday November 3rd (the same day as Japan's "Culture Day" national holiday). Items are available in stores and online from that date. Below is a...
Posted on November 3, 2019 at 01:12. | Released on November 3, 2019
Marianne Shinonome "Mood Adjuster"
Marianne Shinonome, the leader/singer/keyboardist of Kinoco Hotel, has a first solo album out now! While Marianne usually always writes all songs in Kinoco Hotel, this time she had the music of several songs written by collaborators. Also included are covers...
Posted on October 6, 2019 at 23:36. | Released on November 6, 2019
Final Spank Happy "mint exorcist" (Download)
Spank Happy's latest (or "final"!?) incarnation is Final Spank Happy! Credited members are Boss the NK (monicker of Kikuchi Naruyoshi) and OD (aka Oda Tomomi of CRCK/LCKS, DCPRG). After having performed shows for over a year, they finally put together...
Posted on October 1, 2019 at 22:36. | Released on December 1, 2019
Negicco "I Love Your Love" (CD/7")
Negicco has a brand new single being released this month! Title song "I Love Your Love" was written by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves) and its recording features himself and Nona Reeves member Komatsu Shigeru. Meanwhile, "I Am A Punk!" was...
Posted on September 19, 2019 at 07:09. | Released on September 24, 2019
Tsujibayashi Miho "ombre"
Singer-songwriter Tsujibayashi Miho (Twitter) has a 2nd album just about to be released! "ombre" is the follow-up to "Clarté" (2016). Included is a re-arranged band version of "Écran Le Blanc", song that was featured in Nintendo Switch game "Taiko no...
Posted on September 12, 2019 at 00:16. | Released on September 16, 2019
Tokyo Killer "Boom Go!!"
Tokyo Killer, the instrumental rock band led by guitarist Keme (also of Kinoco Hotel), has a 2nd album being released! Included are covers of The Ventures' "Fuzzy and Wild" and Hot Butter's synth-pop classic "Popcorn", as well as many originals....
Posted on September 4, 2019 at 22:51. | Released on September 11, 2019
lyrical school "Be Kind Rewind"
Hip-hop idol group lyrical school is back with a new album, this time on major label Victor! There are songs contributed by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), PES (Rip Slyme), members of Ana, Odd Foot Works, etc. The artwork was done...
Posted on September 2, 2019 at 23:10. | Released on September 11, 2019
kataomoi "Liv Tower"
Band kataomoi is back with a new album titled "Liv Tower". It has been 3 years since previous album "Quiero V.I.P". Check out the teaser clip below, and also the special site for the release. Also, a 7" of "kankyō"...
Posted on September 2, 2019 at 21:46. | Released on September 4, 2019
VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "The Secret Life Of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC"
VIDEOTAPEMUSIC has a new 4th album coming this week, most of which is vocal! A large number of collaborators are featured including vocalists Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Takagi Shōhei (cero), Robochū, mmm, etc., and musicians such as Emerson Kitamura,...
Posted on July 22, 2019 at 23:04. | Released on July 24, 2019
WabiSabi with Izumi Ookawara "Je t'aime... moi non plus / Harvest Moon" (7")
WabiSabi is a new unit formed of DJ aribo and trackmaker Egami Yūkichi. Their first release comes as a 7" single, for which they have invited Qypthone's Izumi Ookawara to sing on a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime......
Posted on July 15, 2019 at 22:43. | Released on July 17, 2019
SOLEIL "Lollipop Sixteen"
SOLEIL is back with a 3rd album titled "Lollipop Sixteen", as singer Soleil will be turning 16 just a few days after the release. As with the first two albums, "My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright", the album...
Posted on July 13, 2019 at 23:15. | Released on July 17, 2019
Nakano Aya to Central "Reverse"
Singer Nakano Aya teams up with 9-piece street style latin sound band Central for this collaboration album. Included is brand new original song "Tropical Dandy" written by Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), "rakuen no Moon Bar" written by Sugi Masamichi,...
Posted on July 8, 2019 at 23:21. | Released on July 3, 2019
Negicco "ai no Tower of Love" (7")
First released in February 2013 on CD only, this Negicco single has just been released on vinyl for this first time. The A-side was written by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), and the B-side by Negicco's main producer connie. This...
Posted on July 7, 2019 at 14:46. | Released on July 2, 2019
MANON "Air Kissing feat. KM & LEX" (Download)
Fukuoka-based singer/model MANON (Instagram) has a brand new track out now digitally! The music was written by KM and the song features 16-year-old rapper LEX (SoundCloud). As always the whole is produced by Yuppa (HNC) who also co-wrote the...
Posted on June 29, 2019 at 00:44. | Released on June 28, 2019
Coastlines "Coastlines"
Coastlines is the recent instrumental unit of DJ/producer Masanori Ikeda (aka Mansfield) and keyboardist Kaneko Takumi (of cro-magnon). This is their first full-length album, following the release of two 7" EPs, and included are eight originals as well as covers...
Posted on June 24, 2019 at 21:08. | Released on June 26, 2019
Negicco "Melody Palette" (2x12")
Negicco's first album "Melody Palette" (2013) is being re-issued on color vinyl (two discs, red and white)! A vinyl edition had been released back in 2013, with the same tracklist, however it was sold only at Tower Records and had...
Posted on June 9, 2019 at 22:41. | Released on June 17, 2019
Kai "Moonlight Tokyo"
Singer Kai (ex-There There Theres, ex-Engawa) just started her solo career last April, and here comes her first solo release! The EP contains two original songs: title song "Moonlight - Tokyo" written by Yoshida Tetsuto, and "yūsei yori ai o...
Posted on June 9, 2019 at 21:18. | Released on June 12, 2019
Kaji Hideki "Goth Romance"
Kaji Hideki has a brand new album being released! With the title "Goth Romance", he revisits his early music days and also invites a whole lot of friends to participate. The album is produced by Horie Hirohisa (Neil and Iraiza),...
Posted on June 5, 2019 at 00:04. | Released on June 5, 2019
Mom "Detox"
21-year-old singer-songwriter/trackmaker Mom has a new 2nd album being released this month! Check out his cool tracks & smooth vocals that are quite irresistible. This album follows "Playground" released in November 2018 (CDJapan, Spotify, ). HMV gives away a promo...
Posted on May 1, 2019 at 22:39. | Released on May 22, 2019
Magic, Drums & Love "Hurricane Upsetter"
Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love has a brand new album coming this month! The whole was produced by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico). With a base sound of soul/disco, there are felt influences of exotica, city pop...
Posted on May 1, 2019 at 20:25. | Released on May 15, 2019
Wakita Monari "I am ONLY" (12")
Wakita Monari's excellent 1st album "I am ONLY" (2017) is finally being released on vinyl! Included are songs written by Hase Hajimu, Microstar, Fukutomi Yukihiro, Yafune Tetsurō, Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Count Joke, Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme), ikkubaru (from...
Posted on April 23, 2019 at 21:28. | Released on April 24, 2019
Various Artists "Non-Standard collection - Non-Standard no hibiki -" (4CD)
Here comes a massive compilation of the Non-Standard label, which was produced by Hosono Haruomi (YMO) during the 80's. With genres covering techno-pop, ambient and improvised music, the label featured artists such as World Standard, Koshi Miharu, Mikado, Urban Dance,...
Posted on March 24, 2019 at 12:47. | Released on March 27, 2019
Yackle "Frank Throw"
18-year-old DJ/trackmaker Yackle has just released a 1st full-length physical album. Every track features various singers and collaborators that he chose, and those include DÉ DÉ MOUSE, MANON and many more. Check out the video for "Feel Me" (with Dé...
Posted on March 22, 2019 at 08:58. | Released on March 20, 2019
Suzuki Masayuki "Funky Flag"
Singer Suzuki Masayuki has a new album released just recently. The album's last song, "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch Marching Band", which was written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu and it features chorus by Nomiya Maki (!) and Yoshikawa Tomoko (of...
Posted on March 21, 2019 at 21:40. | Released on March 13, 2019
MANON "Winter Lil Life feat. Sleet Mage" (Download)
Fukuoka-based teenage model & singer MANON (Instagram) who just turned 17 recently has a brand new song out today digitally! "Winter Lil Life" is as usual produced by Yuppa (HNC), and it features young Hokkaido rapper Sleet Mage (YouTube...
Posted on February 22, 2019 at 20:53. | Released on February 22, 2019
Nomiya Maki "miss maki nomiya sings (Re-issue)"
Nomiya Maki's solo album "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings" was released in July 2000 (back when Pizzicato Five was still active) and it is finally being re-issued! The album had a theme of Maki being a jetsetter and travelling across the...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:13. | Released on March 20, 2019
Her Serves & Receive "Service Ace -kaitei ban-"
Future tennis icon unit Her Serves & Receive's excellent first album "Service Ace" is being re-released as a "revised" edition. Included is the entire original album plus new track "One" that was contributed by Kobe pop group Sappy. The jacket...
Posted on February 14, 2019 at 23:08. | Released on February 23, 2019
Various Artists "Manhattan Records Presents Tokyo Neo 90s Groove mixed by DJ Hasebe"
DJ Hasebe (aka Old Nick) (Twitter, Facebook) mixes recent R&B and hip-hop songs that connect with 90's Japanese sounds. Look out for songs by DJ Hasebe (including new song "Midnight Dreamin'") as well as many more that give an overview...
Posted on February 11, 2019 at 11:33. | Released on February 20, 2019
Original Love "bless You!"
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao) has a brand new album coming this month! In terms of original albums this follows "Lover Man" (2015), since which single "Golden Time" (2016) and collaboration live album "Sessions" (2018, with Nagaoka Ryōsuke (Petrolz)) were...
Posted on February 3, 2019 at 22:23. | Released on February 13, 2019
Ema Grace "FAKE" (Download)
Ema Grace (Facebook page, SoundCloud) is an imaginary idol made up with the help of Vocaloid and public domain images. It is the latest project of producer Ryoma Maeda (of Ryoma Maeda & Romantic Suiciders, and previously known as...
Posted on February 1, 2019 at 21:49. | Released on February 1, 2019
Gig report: Adieu, Vanilla Beans!: Retrospective & last gig reports
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound They came carried by winds from Northern Europe, where they returned to last October 7 (2018). So goes the setting of Vanilla Beans, a unique idol group that had debuted...
Posted on December 31, 2018 at 22:03.
SOLEIL "Pinky Fluffy" (7") (Re-issue)
SOLEIL's debut 7" "Pinky Fluffy" (2017) which had sold out long ago is being released once again with a different jacket! Recorded when singer Soleil was still 13, both songs have remained non-album tracks. Note that this release doesn't...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 19:16. | Released on November 14, 2018
Chikada Haruo "chou joudan dakara"
Chikada Haruo, a singer-songwriter famous for his "hoshikuzu kyōdai no densetsu" album (1980) which was turned into a cult rock opera movie in the mid-80's, but also for many hits he wrote for other artists, has a brand new solo...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 00:10. | Released on October 31, 2018
Denki Groove "Kraken Taka" (Blu-ray/DVD/2CD)
This Denki Groove show held in March 2018 at Zepp Tokyo was first released digitally (audio only) recently, but now here it comes on Blu-ray and DVD. Included is bonus commentary by the group's two members (Takkyu Ishino and Pierre...
Posted on November 4, 2018 at 19:19. | Released on October 24, 2018
Record Day 2018
Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to...
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 23:22. | Released on November 3, 2018
Nomiya Maki "Shibuya-kei Songbook" (2 CDs), "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji c/w Happy Sad" (7")
This new album by Nomiya Maki comes with 2 discs. The first is a collection of songs from her recent albums of the "Shibuya-kei Standards" series (released from 2014 through 2017), and the 2nd is of a previously unreleased entire...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:26. | Released on October 31, 2018
Manon "2 Live In A Real World (Remix) feat. Normcore Boyz" (Download)
MANON (Instagram), whose first album "Teenage Diary" was released in July, has a new remix now available digitally! The track is a collaboration with Tokyo teen hip-hop crew Normcore Boyz (Twitter), who added their original rap in place of...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 10:23. | Released on October 19, 2018
Kaji Hideki "Autumn Olive"
Kaji Hideki has a brand new EP being released just ahead of fall. The EP's two lead songs take their theme from fashion magazine Olive (published from 1982 to 2003). Both of these songs were produced by Horie Hirohisa (Neil...
Posted on August 19, 2018 at 13:23. | Released on September 5, 2018
Denki Groove "Kraken Taka 2018" (Download)
Denki Groove has suddenly released digitally a live album of a show held at Zepp Tokyo on March 17. Towards the end, the show featured several songs with guitarist Yoshida Satoshi and a guest appearance by singer Hidero. Hear it...
Posted on July 11, 2018 at 23:35. | Released on July 11, 2018
Hirose Aina "Schedule of Afternoon Hours"
15-year-old singer Hirose Aina (ex-Peach sugar snow)'s solo debut mini-album has just been released. Produced by Seki Yoshihiko, also featured are songs written by Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service) ("otona ni nanka naranai de") and Shibata Satoko ("ikisugita tomodachi"), as...
Posted on June 26, 2018 at 23:29. | Released on June 20, 2018
Manon "Teenage Diary"
Fukuoka-based teenage model & singer MANON (Instagram) finally has a full-length album coming! Just over a year since debut single "xxFANCYPOOLxx" (available on pink vinyl 7"), "Teenage Diary" contains all of her great singles so far plus a bunch of...
Posted on June 22, 2018 at 23:03. | Released on July 7, 2018
Denki Groove "Tropical Love Tour 2017" (Blu-ray/DVD)
The final show from Denki Groove's latest tour, "Tropical Love Tour 2017", is being released on Blu-ray and DVD! The show was held on March 25, 2017 at Zepp Tokyo. The limited editions include two CDs of the entire show's...
Posted on June 11, 2018 at 22:25. | Released on June 20, 2018
Various Artists "Brilliant Ideas Works Of Yasuharu Konishi 1986-2018" (5CD)
Here comes a massive boxed set compilation of works by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five) spanning his whole career from 1986 to now! Included are many of the hits and wonderful songs he wrote music or lyrics for, produced,...
Posted on June 3, 2018 at 23:09. | Released on June 6, 2018
Saito Neonsign "Yokohama Rampway"
Saito Neonsign, a Showa-kayō band from Yokohama fronted by Piro Saito (aka Saitō Hiroyuki), has a first mini-album being released! Formed in 2012 and having previously released 4 songs (check out iTunes or Spotify), this new mini-album brings 5 brand...
Posted on June 2, 2018 at 11:26. | Released on June 6, 2018
Ellie "Stay Gold"
Ellie (ex-Love Tambourines) has a new mini-album being released! It had been 11 years since her previous "rita" (as "eli") (2007). This time it seems that she somewhat goes back to her roots with some musicians she feels most comfortable...
Posted on May 22, 2018 at 22:18. | Released on May 23, 2018
JiLL-Decoy association "JiLL-Decoy DUO ~ Zinger ~"
Jazz unit JiLL-Decoy association's vocalist chihiRo and guitarist kubota have been also recently active as JiLL-Decoy DUO, and here comes a first mini-album. The title "Zinger" is said to be a mix of "Ginger" and "Zine". Included are collaborations with...
Posted on May 13, 2018 at 15:38. | Released on May 2, 2018
Non "Super Heroes", "Non, KAIWA Fest Vol.1 ~ongaku ga areba kaiwa ga dekiru!~" (DVD)
Actress-gone-rockstar Non (previously known as Nōnen Rena) has a first full-length album being released! This follows a few singles that were released since her debut as a singer last summer at the World Happiness festival. With five songs written by...
Posted on May 2, 2018 at 21:57. | Released on May 9, 2018
Manon "Somewhere" (Download)
Fukuoka-born half-French teenage model and singer Manon's brand new song "Somewhere" is coming on iTunes, Spotify, etc. Watch it appear on iTunes and Apple Music in your country as the date changes to April 27 (hopefully!). First check out...
Posted on April 27, 2018 at 00:29. | Released on April 27, 2018
Madame Croissant "salut / Who's calling me?" (7")
Satō Nozomu aka M. Lemon (of caméra-stylo, and lately known for the great Fujin Club) produces this new girl duo unit named Madame Croissant (Instagram)! Their first release is a 7" of two songs. The cover artwork is by...
Posted on April 19, 2018 at 21:28. | Released on April 21, 2018
Record Store Day 2018
Record Store Day 2018 is coming up this weekend! Like every year many Japanese artists, labels and shops get involved, and many exciting releases will appear on the shelves on Saturday morning. Here's a selection that Tokyo's Coolest Sound readers...
Posted on April 16, 2018 at 23:40. | Released on April 21, 2018
The Pen Friend Club "Garden Of The Pen Friend Club"
The Pen Friend Club has just released a 5th album. Included are covers of Roger Nichols ("Don't Take Your Time"), Burt Bacharach ("My Little Red Book"), Ohtaki Eiichi ("suisaiga no machi"), The Rascals ("Good Lovin'"), Brian Wilson ("Melt Away") as...
Posted on March 29, 2018 at 23:15. | Released on March 21, 2018
Nona Reeves "Hippopotamus" (7")
We close 2017 with a 7" release by Nona Reeves. Included are two songs first released in 2002. "Hippopotamus" is taken from their self-titled album, it's a popular track that was selected by Hashimoto Toru for the "free soul...
Posted on December 31, 2017 at 23:59. | Released on December 27, 2017
atarashii chizu "72"
atarashii chizu is the new group formed of 3 ex-SMAP members: Inagaki Gorō, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi and Katori Shingo. "72" is the theme song of a 72-hour online TV show they held last November, and it was written and produced...
Posted on December 31, 2017 at 23:40. | Released on December 24, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau." (2x7")
4 songs from Nomiya Maki's recent winter song cover album are being released on vinyl in the form of a set of two 7"'s. The exclusive artwork was designed and photographed by Shindō Mitsuo in Shibuya's Nonbei Yokochō. Valentine's Day-themed...
Posted on December 24, 2017 at 10:48. | Released on December 27, 2017
Vanilla Beans "Vani Best II"
Vanilla Beans are celebrating their 10th anniversary! This is a greatest hits album that consists of all singles since their debut in 2007. Also included are one brand new song and also a new version of "Tokyo wa yoru no...
Posted on November 30, 2017 at 23:54. | Released on December 6, 2017
Record Day 2017
Record Day 2017 was held on November 3, and this year again led to the release of many vinyl records. Below is a selection of the titles, but you can find the whole list on the official site here. Record...
Posted on November 26, 2017 at 00:44. | Released on November 3, 2017
Francis avec Haruko "Jamon, jamon"
Francis, the solo unit of Ori Makoto (ex-The Collectors), has started a new collaboration unit with Tajima Haruko. Here comes a first mini-album limited to 300 copies. Included is a cover of France Gall's "Der Computer Nr.3". Tajima Haruko also...
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 10:55. | Released on October 25, 2017
Rie Aono "Pastoral"
Singer Aono Rie (who also fronts band Aono Rie & hums, and has sung in aoyama and Frog) has a first solo album being released! The whole has a cool city pop sound produced by Seki Yoshihiko with songs co-written...
Posted on October 15, 2017 at 23:28. | Released on October 18, 2017
Manon "Popcorn Crisis" (Download)
Here's a 4th song by Fukuoka-born half-French teenage model and singer Manon! This fun bouncy track is again produced by Yuppa (HNC), and the toybox-like video below was directed by VJ unit onnacodomo! The song is out now on...
Posted on October 6, 2017 at 23:12. | Released on October 6, 2017
marino "watashi wa kouchayasan"
marino has a new 3rd album coming this month! This follows "Bathtub de chōshoku o" released in 2012. Recorded with a real band, the musical-like new album takes its theme from her own tea store which she has been running...
Posted on October 1, 2017 at 11:37. | Released on September 29, 2017
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicatomania!" (12")
Following the recent release of a remastered CD last February, Pizzicato Five's "Pizzicatomania!" is now being released on vinyl for the first time. In addition to one of the new "Action Painting" mixes that appeared on that CD, previously unreleased...
Posted on September 27, 2017 at 00:06. | Released on November 3, 2017
The Lady Spade "Phenomenon"
The Lady Spade has released just recently a brand new mini-album, the follow-up to "Reverse Shaped Black Heart" (2014). Their sound is more sophisticated and danceable than ever, cuter but also perhaps a bit scarier!? That the album is available...
Posted on September 17, 2017 at 17:35. | Released on September 6, 2017
The Lady Spade "Dial 'S' for The Lady Spade!"
The Lady Spade's first album, "Dial 'S' for The Lady Spade!", was released in 2009 and featured former vocalist Ruby aka Nosa Reina. It is now being released again in a remastered edition! The Lady Spade fans and also anyone...
Posted on September 17, 2017 at 17:13. | Released on September 20, 2017
De De Mouse "via alpha centauri" (Download)
Dé Dé Mouse has a brand new EP being released digitally! This is the follow-up to "dream you up" (April 2017). "via alpha centauri" takes inspiration from the "Centaur festival" which appears in classic Japanese fantasy novel "Night on the...
Posted on September 12, 2017 at 00:27. | Released on September 15, 2017
Manon "Wavy Pineapple Days" (Download)
Just ahead of the release of her first 7" single "xxFANCYPOOLxx", teenage model Manon has a 3rd brand new song now available for download on iTunes. Again produced by Yuppa (HNC), this time we get a cool reggae summer...
Posted on August 29, 2017 at 22:40. | Released on August 28, 2017
Manon "xxFANCYPOOLxx" (7")
Fukuoka-based teenage model Manon, of the Asobi System agency (same as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, etc.), debuted last month as a singer with the songs "xxFANCYPOOLxx" and "Beat The Bad Luck" produced by Yuppa (HNC aka Hazel Nuts Chocolate)! Those...
Posted on August 26, 2017 at 15:25. | Released on August 30, 2017
Manon "Beat The Bad Luck" (Download)
Half-Japanese half-French 15-year-old model Manon has a 2nd track out now! This time the song has an indie-pop flavor, and it's again written & produced by Yuppa (HNC)! Hear it on YouTube below, and you can also find it...
Posted on July 29, 2017 at 00:53. | Released on July 28, 2017
Denki Groove "Tropical Love Lights", "Denki Groove Decade 2008~2017"
Denki Groove has two new releases out at once today! "Tropical Love Lights" is an alternate edition of latest album "Tropical Love" (2017), including mainly instrumentals and two new mixes. The other, "Denki Groove Decade 2008-2017", is a greatest hits...
Posted on July 26, 2017 at 23:11. | Released on July 26, 2017
Wakita Monari "I am ONLY"
After three great singles, here comes Wakita Monari (ex-Especia)'s 1st solo album! All songs are said to be worth single cuts. Included are songs written by Hase Hajimu, Microstar, Fukutomi Yukihiro, Yafune Tetsurō, Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Count Joke, Hase...
Posted on July 22, 2017 at 23:38. | Released on July 26, 2017
Manon "xxFANCYPOOLxx" (Download)
Manon is a 15-year-old model, and here comes a debut single written & produced by Yuppa (HNC)! Check it out on YouTube below, as well as on iTunes, Spotify, etc. This is released on new label Caticorn Records. Manon...
Posted on July 8, 2017 at 00:10. | Released on July 7, 2017
Mira Parameter "Reborn"
Singer-songwriter Etuka's new electro-pop solo unit Mira Parameter has a first album being released on Gooondo, the label of Gondō Tomohiko (Metafive). The album, with a sound reminiscent of 80's techno, was produced by Gondō and mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori....
Posted on July 5, 2017 at 21:08. | Released on July 6, 2017
Nona Reeves "Billboard Best 2011-2016"
Here's a greatest hits album of band Nona Reeves, covering the 3 original albums and 3 cover albums released during their 5 years so far on Billboard Records. Nona Reeves "Billboard Best 2011-2016" 1. P-O-P-T-R-A-I-N 2. yume no koibito 3....
Posted on June 15, 2017 at 21:11. | Released on June 14, 2017
Nakano Aya "Asami no Blues" (7"+CD)
Singer Nakano Aya has a new single out this week! Produced by Mutō Shōhei (drummer, vocalist and leader of jazz band Katteni-Shiyagare), the music is also performed by Kathmandu, a unit formed mainly of his band's members. The title song...
Posted on June 5, 2017 at 21:06. | Released on June 7, 2017
J.A.M "Silent Notes"
J.A.M, the instrumental jazz trio led by pianist Josei, with double-bassist Akita Goldman and drummer Midorin (all of Soil & "Pimp" Sessions), has a new album being released! The album features a song with Jin Oki, and one with L.D....
Posted on May 21, 2017 at 22:41. | Released on May 24, 2017
Gig report: "Godzilla Legend -- Music of Akira Ifukube" in New York
Text and photos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound(Except where indicated) Correspondent Nicholas D. Kent went to the "Godzilla Legend" concert held recently in New York. Here's his report! "Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube" April...
Posted on May 14, 2017 at 10:35.
Record Store Day 2017
Record Store Day 2017 will be taking place this weekend, on Saturday April 22! As usual, many limited releases will be available at record shops only from that date. Below is a selection of some of the best stuff that...
Posted on April 18, 2017 at 22:15. | Released on April 22, 2017
Dustin Wong & Takako Minekawa "Are Euphoria"
Here's a 3rd album by Dustin Wong & Takako Minekawa! It has already been 2½ years since "Savage Imagination" (2014). Label 7 e.p. gives away an original hologram sticker when ordering directly. Those outside of Japan should follow the link...
Posted on April 3, 2017 at 23:26. | Released on April 5, 2017
Charisma.com "not not me"
Charisma.com has a new full-length album out now! It's their first since they moved to major label Warner. All songs are produced by different artists, with ones by Cibo Matto, Nishidera Gota (Nona Reeves), Shacho (Soil & "Pimp" Sessions), Hama...
Posted on March 29, 2017 at 23:20. | Released on March 22, 2017
Wakita Monari "Boy Friend"
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) has a 2nd solo single being released on Vivid Sound! Both synth-pop style songs were produced by the two of Microstar: Satō Seiki and Iizumi Yūko. The single is available in 3 editions, a limited edition including...
Posted on February 7, 2017 at 21:15. | Released on February 15, 2017
Nakano Aya "Mambo Alc.0.00% feat. Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys" (CD+7")
Nakano Aya's new single is a song featuring Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys! The song was written by Comoesta Yaegashi and Fukuhara Mari with lyrics by Paradise Yamamoto. The B-side is a cover of Etta James' "Seven Day Fool", and features...
Posted on December 10, 2016 at 16:51. | Released on December 14, 2016
Wakita Monari "In The City / anone,,," (CD+7")
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) is back as a solo artist! She now shows up on the great Vivid Sound label with a first solo single. Both songs are originals, with the A-side "In The City" arranged by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke),...
Posted on November 14, 2016 at 23:56. | Released on November 16, 2016
Halmens X "35 seiki"
Halmens X is a limited time project led by two original members of new wave band Halmens (formed in 1979), Saeki Kenzo and Sensui Toshiro. 2016 marks the 35th anniversary of the release of album "Halmens no 20 seiki" (1981),...
Posted on October 10, 2016 at 11:49. | Released on September 21, 2016
Nomiya Maki "otoko to onna 'Un Homme et Une Femme' ~ Nomiya Maki, French Shibuya-kei o utau."
Nomiya Maki has a brand new album just about to be released! This album has a theme of "French Shibuya-kei", highlighting bits of the French culture that influenced the Shibuya-kei scene. This is a 2-CD release of both a studio...
Posted on August 29, 2016 at 23:22. | Released on August 31, 2016
Pizzicato Five "Couples", "Bellissima!"
The two first albums of Pizzicato Five, "Couples" (1987) and "Bellissima!" (1988), are being re-issued! Both were newly remastered from the original master tapes under the supervision of Konishi Yasuharu himself, and are pressed as high-quality Blu-spec CD2 (they play...
Posted on August 23, 2016 at 21:59. | Released on August 24, 2016
kataomoi "Quiero V.I.P"
Here's a 2nd album by kataomoi, follow-up to "kataomoin Da House" (2013). This was engineered by Illicit Tsuboi, and is being released on Kakubarhythm. Check out the release special page. A release party will be held at Kinema Club on...
Posted on August 14, 2016 at 17:54. | Released on August 3, 2016
Sugar's Campaign "mamagoto"
Sugar's Campaign, the super pop unit of producers Avec Avec and Seiho, has a brand new 2nd album out now! This follow-up to the excellent "Friends" (2015) has a general theme of "family". HMV gives away a pink promo spoon...
Posted on August 12, 2016 at 11:22. | Released on August 10, 2016
Nakano Aya "Emerald In Paradise"
Here's a new album by Kyoto-born singer Nakano Aya, produced by Hase Hajimu as usual. Included are 8 original songs and 2 covers, one of which features salsa band Central. Two 7" singles (incl. CD) were released in advance: "Episode...
Posted on June 20, 2016 at 22:57. | Released on June 15, 2016
Horie Mitsuko "New Moon ni koi shite" / Chibiusa (CV. Fukuen Misato) "otome no susume" (CD+DVD)
This single from latest Sailor Moon series "Sailor Moon Crystal 3rd Season" contains ending theme "otome no susume" that was written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One)! Also, the opening theme "New Moon ni koi shite" was produced by...
Posted on May 26, 2016 at 00:17. | Released on May 25, 2016
Denki Groove "Denki Groove The Movie?" (Blu-ray/DVD), "tofunsai" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Denki Groove has released two Blu-ray/DVDs just recently! The first is "Denki Groove The Movie", a documentary of the group's 25 years so far that was shown on big screens throughout Japan at the end of 2015. This features a...
Posted on April 13, 2016 at 00:27. | Released on March 30, 2016
Nakatsuka Takeshi "Japanese Boy / Valentine Kiss" (7")
Nakatsuka Takeshi has a brand new 7" out now! "Japanese Boy" is a cut from upcoming album "EYE" (to be released on March 16), while the B-side is a non-album track, a cover of Kokusho Sayuri's "Valentine Kiss" (1986)....
Posted on February 11, 2016 at 19:06. | Released on February 10, 2016
Hamada Bamyu Bamyu "Nandeya Nen Nen"
Here's a funny one. Popular comedian Hamada Masatoshi (of comedy unit Downtown) parodies Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in this single released as Hamada Bamyu Bamyu. This gets interesting as the track is produced by none other than Nakata Yasutaka, and...
Posted on December 30, 2015 at 22:37. | Released on December 16, 2015
Bank "True Tempo"
Bank, a funky genreless band with multiple Shibuya-kei roots, has a brand new album out now! This band features members formerly of Arch (Nakamura Dai on guitar & vocals), Bridge (Ōhashi Nobuyuki aka Pate on guitar) and Love Tambourines (Hirami...
Posted on September 26, 2015 at 01:56. | Released on September 26, 2015
Hoshino Michiru "You Love Me ~you love me more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow~"
This week comes a brand new album by singer Hoshino Michiru! This includes latest single "natsu nandashi" (written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu) and its B-side "sakamichi no tochū" (written by Takanami Keitarō), and a cover of the Doopees' "Through...
Posted on September 1, 2015 at 23:20. | Released on September 2, 2015
Various Artists "Yaba-kayo 3 Non-stop DJ Mix -The Ondo- Mixed by DJ Fukutake"
Here's a 3rd mix of DJ Fukutake's popular "Yava-kayō" series! This time the theme is "ondō" (Wikipedia), which is the type of traditional music that people of all ages dance along to at summer festivals (matsuri) throughout Japan. Ondō is...
Posted on July 4, 2015 at 23:44. | Released on July 8, 2015
Hanazawa Kana "Blue Avenue"
Voice actress Hanazawa Kana's recent 3rd album "Blue Avenue" has an all-star lineup of songwriters and producers including Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), Nakatsuka Takeshi, Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron), Yano Hiroyasu (ex-Cymbals), mito (clammbon), Studio Apartment, Okuda Kensuke with Nishidera Gōta (Nona...
Posted on May 31, 2015 at 16:57. | Released on April 22, 2015
Pizzicato One "watakushi no nijuseiki"
2015 is looking like a good year for Pizzicato Five fans! Konishi Yasuharu has a second Pizzicato One album coming this June, follow-up to "One And Ten Very Sad Songs" (2011). With a title that translates to "My 20th century",...
Posted on May 17, 2015 at 12:34. | Released on June 24, 2015
Various Artists "Yaba-kayō 2 Non-stop DJ Mix -TV Theme hen- Mixed by DJ Fukutake"
Following the success of compilation "Yaba-kayō" (sometimes better spelled "Yava-kayō"), here comes a follow-up that's full of songs once heard on TV, mainly in the 70's and 80's. Another common point is that they're all groovy as can be, and...
Posted on February 22, 2015 at 22:43. | Released on February 25, 2015
