Ino Hidefumi "No Satisfaction"
Ino Hidefumi has announced a new album titled "No Satisfaction". Coming almost exactly 10 years after first album "Satisfaction" (2006), it features 10 songs from that album though this time he plays them only on one Fender Rhodes. Ino Hidefumi...
Posted on May 3, 2016 at 22:45. | Released on May 11, 2016
sotaiseiriron "tensei Jingle"
sōtaiseiriron have just released a brand new album, follow-up to "Town Age" (2013). The album is available not only on CD, but also on 180g vinyl, hi-res 96Khz/24bit audio media BDM (Blu-ray Disc Music), and cassette tape. sōtaiseiriron will play...
Posted on May 3, 2016 at 22:22. | Released on April 27, 2016
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "KPP Best"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a greatest hits album coming this month! The album consists of 2 CDs full of KPP's best songs so far. Also included are previously unreleased songs "5iVE YEARS MONSTER", "kanzen keitai" and "KPP ON STAGE". You...
Posted on May 2, 2016 at 00:31. | Released on May 25, 2016
Shunosuke Ishikawa "Can't wait for spring" (Download)
Saxophonist Shūnosuke Ishikawa has just released a new EP this week, on Nakatsuka Takeshi's digital label Delicatessen Recordings. All three songs are new originals. Shūnosuke Ishikawa Big Bang will perform a show on May 2 at JZ Brat in...
Posted on April 30, 2016 at 20:58. | Released on April 27, 2016
Scha Dara Parr "Ani Shinbou"
Scha Dara Parr has released a mini-album of 6 recent previously unreleased tracks. The title is made of the three members' names (Ani, Shinco and Bose). The limited edition includes a bonus DVD of live and music videos. Check out...
Posted on April 30, 2016 at 20:06. | Released on April 20, 2016
lyrical school "Run and Run"
Idol rap group lyrical school have a brand new single just out! "Run and Run" has a special music video that keeps surprising many with its originality, fans or not, as it is best watched on a smartphone. Check it...
Posted on April 29, 2016 at 23:59. | Released on April 27, 2016
YeYe "ate a lemon" (7"+CD)
Singer-songwriter YeYe has a brand new 7" single out now on Rallye! Follow-up to album "Hue Circle" (2013), this is a cut from an upcoming 3rd album to be released early summer. Check out the catchy song's fun and brilliant...
Posted on April 23, 2016 at 14:32. | Released on April 23, 2016
Piggy Banks "Time Thriller"
Piggy Banks is a new girl rock band formed in 2015 with singer Yoko, guitarist Keme (Kinoco Hotel, Tokyo Killer) and bassist Akko (Tokyo Killer, ex-GO!GO!7188). Their first album is out now! Piggy Banks are now touring Japan, and will...
Posted on April 19, 2016 at 23:53. | Released on April 6, 2016
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Sai & Co"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a new single out this week! "Sai & Co" is a song that's being used in a Coca Cola commercial in which she appears. The theme song of her original ride at Universal Studio Japan, "Cosmetic...
Posted on April 19, 2016 at 23:30. | Released on April 20, 2016
Record Store Day 2016
This year again Record Store Day is being held in Japan, this time on Saturday April 16! A lot of special and limited vinyl editions are being released on that very day, and at first only available in physical shops....
Posted on April 14, 2016 at 23:15. | Released on April 16, 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
Negicco "mujun, hajimemashita."
Negicco has a new single out now! The title song was written by singer-songwriter Sakai Yū, with lyrics by Toki Asako, and arranged by connie (Negicco's producer) and NEGiBAND. Check out the charming clip below that features many guests! The...
Posted on April 11, 2016 at 22:34. | Released on March 29, 2016
Perfume "Cosmic Explorer"
Perfume has a brand new 6th album out now! This is the follow-up to "LEVEL3" (2013) since which 2½ years have passed. Amidst brand new unheard songs, some of the previously released songs such as "Sweet Refrain", "Cling Cling" and...
Posted on April 7, 2016 at 22:24. | Released on April 6, 2016
Cutemen "Born To Love You / Gasoline Car" (Download)
Check out this brand new single by Cutemen, the unit of CMJK (ex-Denki Groove) and vocalist Picorin. Cutemen was formed 25 years ago. They once quit around 1994, and just got back together. The new single is out now...
Posted on April 1, 2016 at 23:36. | Released on March 23, 2016
Saoriiiii "Nostalgy"
Saoriiiii (previously known as Saori@destiny until 2012) is back with a first mini-album under the new monicker she has been using for the last few years. A release party will be held this Friday April 1st at Shibuya Star lounge...
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 22:59. | Released on March 23, 2016
FPM "Motions (Best Killer Remixes & Produce works by FPM)" (3CD)
FPM is still celebrating his 20th anniversary, and following greatest hits album "Moments" here comes a 3-CD set of tracks he has produced or remixed for other artists. Some rare and previously unreleased tracks are also included. The album's first...
Posted on March 12, 2016 at 00:56. | Released on March 16, 2016
Nakatsuka Takeshi "EYE"
Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone) has a brand new album coming! It has already been 3 years since "Lyrics". We're told to expect aggressive and thrilling new jazzy sounds. A release party will be held on April 21 at Daikanyama Unit (details)....
Posted on March 10, 2016 at 00:03. | Released on March 16, 2016
Suzuki Saori "East River"
Suzuki Saori is the vocalist of New York-based band The Suzan. Here she makes a debut as a solo artist, releasing an album on Japanese label Niw! Records. The title song was produced by was produced by Suzuki Keiichi (Sunny...
Posted on March 6, 2016 at 22:50. | Released on March 9, 2016
Polysics "What's This???"
Polysics have a new album out now, the follow-up to "ACTION!!!" (2014). 19 new songs are included, such as "Sun Electric" that has been performed in their shows since the end of last year. The limited edition includes a DVD...
Posted on March 5, 2016 at 21:20. | Released on March 2, 2016
Tarte Tatin "re:10 tartetatin"
Here's a brand new album by Tarte Tatin, duo currently formed of Yurie and Chiaki. This album is entirely written by Yamamoto Shō (ex-Phenotas) who had produced the previous full-length, "Tartetatin Are Allright!". By the way, the album title officially...
Posted on March 5, 2016 at 10:21. | Released on March 2, 2016
Asa-chang & Junray "mahou"
Asa-chang & Junray has a brand new original album coming, their first since "kage no nai hito" (2009) after which new members Goseki Yoshihiro (flute, sax, vocals) and Suhara Anzu (violin, guitar, vocals) joined the group. Featured guest musicians include...
Posted on February 24, 2016 at 20:33. | Released on March 2, 2016
Charisma.com "aidoro C", "Subliminal Diet / koshikake Rap" (7")
Electro rap duo Charisma.com have a new mini-album coming early March! Included are 8 brand new songs. HMV gives away a promo mix CD (while supplies last). A 7" of two new tracks is also being released at the same...
Posted on February 23, 2016 at 00:32. | Released on March 2, 2016
Especia "Carta"
Osaka 80's style idol group Especia has a brand new album coming this month! Included are songs written by Fujii Naoyuki (ex-Checkers), Rillsoul, Schtein & Longer, PellyColo, with the rest mainly written by Hi-Fi City. The album is being released...
Posted on February 16, 2016 at 00:11. | Released on February 24, 2016
Julie Watai "Tokyo Future Classic" (112-page book)
Singer/photographer/model Julie Watai has created a new photo book that features girls and machines in futuristic and extraordinary settings. The book comes in A5 size with 112 pages. This succeeds her 2010 book "Hardware Girls" (Amazon). A special talk show...
Posted on February 11, 2016 at 20:20. | Released on February 5, 2016
Soviet Chance "Soviet Chance"
Soviet Chance is a funky party band led by saxophonist Shūnosuke Ishikawa first founded 20 years ago in his school days. The ten members (former members and then some) still play music together and finally recorded this first mini-album. Included...
Posted on January 28, 2016 at 22:19. | Released on January 27, 2016
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans V"
Following 4th album "Vanilla Beans IV" (released in February 2015), and triple-A-side major single "onna wa sore o gaman shinai / Beanius / lonesome X", here's a brand new 5th album by idol group Vanilla Beans! It's full of songs,...
Posted on January 22, 2016 at 21:35. | Released on February 3, 2016
Kera "Brown, White & Black"
Kera (aka Keralino Sandorovich, of No Lie-Sense, Kera & The Synthesizers) has a new solo album coming, his first since 1988 ("genshoku"). This new album is said to be jazz, "fake jazz". Included are covers of jazz standards "Shine (That's...
Posted on January 10, 2016 at 12:13. | Released on January 20, 2016
tofubeats "Positive Remixes"
Here come remixes of tofubeats' latest album "Positive"! Featured remixers include Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE), Sunahara Yoshinori, Cherryboy Function, okadada, Komuro Tetsuya, banvox, Pa's Lam System, PARKGOLF, tofubeats himself and more. tofubeats "POSITIVE Remixes" CD1 1. POSITIVE feat.Dream Ami -Nakata Yasutaka...
Posted on January 2, 2016 at 21:45. | Released on January 20, 2016
Cherryboy Function "Word In The Petals"
Cherryboy Function has a new album coming this week! This is his 2nd full-length, follow-up to "Something Electronic" (2007) released 8 years ago, though three "suggested function EP"'s were released meanwhile. Included is a remix by De De Mouse. CHERRYBOY...
Posted on January 2, 2016 at 13:18. | Released on January 6, 2016
Charan-Po-Rantan "onna no 46pun"
Sister duo Charan-Po-Rantan have a brand new album coming this week! "Taylor ni narenai yo" is an homage song to Taylor Swift, and its video was shot in New York where they went for a show at Japan Society last...
Posted on January 2, 2016 at 12:42. | Released on January 6, 2016
Negicco "attoteki na Style -NEGiBAND ver.-"
Negicco has just released a new single of which the title track is a new version of "attōteki na Style" re-recorded with their backing band, NEGiBAND. The B-side is a brand new song with music written by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume...
Posted on December 31, 2015 at 22:12. | Released on December 26, 2015
Denki Groove "Denki Groove The Movie? -The Music Selection-"
Denki Groove's official documentary movie "Denki Groove The Movie" is being screened in theaters throughout Japan since December 26 for a limited time. The movie is full of rare footage covering the band's history since it was founded in 1989....
Posted on December 31, 2015 at 21:51. | Released on December 23, 2015
Urbangarde "Showa 90nen"
Trauma techno-pop group Urbangarde has released a brand new 7th album earlier this month, "Showa 90nen" ("Year Showa 90"), which came 1½ year after the previous "utsukushii kuni". Check out the videos below and hear more samples at Amazon. The...
Posted on December 30, 2015 at 21:13. | Released on December 9, 2015
De De Mouse "farewell holiday!"
De De Mouse has released this month a 5th album, follow-up to "sky was dark" (2012). This album features many acoustic instruments. Included is a download card that gives access to bonus remixes, to which one song is being added...
Posted on December 30, 2015 at 19:18. | Released on December 2, 2015
Learners "Learners"
Learners is the newest band of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico Five), together fronted by model/singer Sara Mary (half-American half-Japanese). Following the release of three 7" singles, here comes their first full-length album, consisting of mainly covers. They have a...
Posted on December 23, 2015 at 13:57. | Released on December 16, 2015
P.O.P "okaasan ni kiite minai to wakaranai"
Rapper twins-fronted hip-hop band P.O.P (not to be confused with newcomer idol group POP...) has a 2nd album out now, follow-up to "tanoshii koto bakari arimasu yō ni." (2014)! The 15-song album features guests such as Nakatsuka Takeshi, BIKKE (Tokyo...
Posted on December 10, 2015 at 00:12. | Released on December 2, 2015
comoestas "Twist and Dodonpa" (7")
comoestas, the solo unit of Comoesta Yaegashi (Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys), has a brand new 7" single out now! As hints title "Twist and Dodonpa", comoestas made two tunes of the two different styles, but of course in his...
Posted on December 6, 2015 at 15:29. | Released on November 11, 2015
sugar me "Around the Corner"
sugar me, the solo project of Teraoka Ayumi, has a 2nd album out now. The album features musicians including Itoken, Yoshizu Takuho (number0), Aoba Sōki, Ōwada Yōko, Babi, Olde Worlde, Ishizaki Hikaru (cafelon), and It's a musical's Robert Kretzschmar. A...
Posted on November 15, 2015 at 18:46. | Released on November 4, 2015
Vanilla Beans "onna wa sore o gaman shinai / Beanius / lonesome X"
Vanilla Beans have a new single coming this month, the follow-up to album "Vanilla Beans IV" released last February. Included are three brand new songs! This comes with big news, as they have moved from Tower Records' T-Palette label to...
Posted on November 15, 2015 at 00:45. | Released on November 18, 2015
Nomiya Maki "What The World Needs Now Is Love"
Nomiya Maki has a new album coming! Following her live album from last year, "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", this time she takes some of those standards (and then some) to the studio! Included are songs by Pizzicato Five,...
Posted on November 8, 2015 at 11:05. | Released on November 11, 2015
Reina & The Blue Valentines "First Recital in Shibuya"
Reina & The Blue Valentines, who released their first album "Lady or Girl?" last February, now offer a live album that comes with both CD and DVD. This is of their first one-man show that was held on April 25,...
Posted on October 31, 2015 at 23:26. | Released on November 3, 2015
Kit Cat "Scratch You!" (CD+DVD)
Previously sold exclusively at shows, synth dance pop unit Kit Cat's first mini-album "Scratch You!" has been officially released, including a bonus DVD of a show held at Chelsea Hotel in Shibuya on August 19. The album includes a cover...
Posted on October 29, 2015 at 23:57. | Released on October 14, 2015
Aira Mitsuki "Animo!" (Download)
Techno-pop idol Aira Mitsuki (Twitter), who just got back from a hiatus last month with single "Lightsaver", has another brand new single out now! This is produced by DJ'TEKINA//SOMETHING (SoundCloud, aka Yuyoyuppe), and "Lililiy☆Nation" is a cover of a song...
Posted on October 29, 2015 at 23:38. | Released on October 29, 2015
hitomitoi "The Memory Hotel"
hitomitoi has a brand new album out now! Producers and musicians include Cunimondo Takiguchi (Ryusenkei), Dorian, Kashif (PPP, Jintana & Emeralds), LUVRAW (ImageCluv), Crystal ((((sssurrounddd))), Jintana & Emeralds) and mabanua. This is the follow-up to album "Snowbank Social Club" (2014)...
Posted on October 22, 2015 at 22:35. | Released on October 21, 2015
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "KPP MV01" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Here's Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's first collection of video clips! All of her videos since her debut in 2011 are included, plus 24 minutes of previously unreleased bonus footage. The limited edition comes in a special package with a deluxe booklet...
Posted on September 27, 2015 at 18:23. | Released on September 30, 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
Various Artists "G.I.R.L.S RAP"
As the title says, this is a compilation that will let you catch a glimpse of some of the best acts in Japan's constantly growing girl rap scene. Featured are Tokyo's Coolest Sound favorites such as Bakubaku Dokin, Noppal, idol...
Posted on September 20, 2015 at 15:53. | Released on September 16, 2015
The Collectors "iitai koto ienai koto iisobireta koto"
The Collectors' new album (their 21st!) is coming this week, and will feature Nomiya Maki as a guest vocalist. Also, according to Tower Records' track list, Takanami Keitaro has apparently (co-?)arranged "eien Romance" and "Song For Father". The limited edition...
Posted on September 13, 2015 at 23:16. | Released on September 16, 2015
Count Joke "Pink Shadow / tamago" (7"+CD)
Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) have a brand new 7" out now! The A-side is a cover of Bread & Butter's "Pink Shadow" (1974), while the B-side is a brand new original written by singer Maezono Naoki. Like...
Posted on September 3, 2015 at 23:05. | Released on August 26, 2015
CAPSULE "Wave Runner (Deluxe Edition)"
CAPSULE had their latest album "WAVE RUNNER" re-issued this week as a limited deluxe edition, which includes two bonus tracks (remixes of "Dreamin' Boy" and "Dancing Planet", the latter featuring Verbal (m-flo)) and a live DVD of 7 songs from...
Posted on September 3, 2015 at 21:51. | Released on September 2, 2015
Towa Tei feat. UA "Sound of Music" (12")
Towa Tei has a new 12" single out now! "Sound of Music" is a cut from latest album "CUTE", and it features singer UA. Included is also a remix by Goh Hotoda and an instrumental of the same song, as...
Posted on August 30, 2015 at 22:41. | Released on August 26, 2015
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu album vinyl reissues
This one is for KPP's hardcore fans, DJs and vinyl collectors. All of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's albums (and debut mini-album) to date are being released on vinyl. Full-length albums come as a set of two records, keeping the songs in...
Posted on August 16, 2015 at 12:29. | Released on August 19, 2015
Negicco "nee Vardia"
This week a brand new single from Negicco has been released! "nee Vardia" is a song written and produced by Ikeda Takafumi (aka Rekishi). B-side "oyasumi" was written by Negicco's usual producer connie, with lyrics by MEG and arrangements by...
Posted on August 13, 2015 at 22:24. | Released on August 11, 2015
Chiroline ver.3 "Last Pajama Party"
Chiroline ver.3 (previously Chiroline ver.2) are back as a trio with new mini-album "Last Pajama Party"! While produced by Okada Tohru (Moonriders), songs written by fellow CTO LAB. members Imai Kentaro (The Aprils) and polymoog (Elektel) are also included. There...
Posted on July 29, 2015 at 21:45. | Released on August 5, 2015
CTO LAB. "3 Cycles"
CTO LAB., the supergroup of Okada Tohru (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentaro (The Aprils), is back with a new mini-album! Included are two songs they contributed to the game Groove Coaster, "Go! Spiral Go!" and "Space Arcadian", a cover...
Posted on July 29, 2015 at 20:22. | Released on August 5, 2015
Especia "Aviator / Boogie Aroma"
Osaka 80's-inspired idol group Especia have a new single out now! This double-A-sider is actually their first one on a major label, and it has songs produced by Schtein&Longer and PellyColo respectively. Check out the sampler clip below which give...
Posted on July 28, 2015 at 21:10. | Released on July 22, 2015
Towa Tei "Cute"
This week brings us Towa Tei's 8th solo album, "Cute", the follow-up to "Lucky" (2013)! The album features members of METAFIVE (Tei's all-star band with Takahashi Yukihiro, Oyamada Keigo, Sunahara Yoshinori et al.), and also Hosono Haruomi, Ino Hidefumi, Yasuda...
Posted on July 27, 2015 at 23:50. | Released on July 29, 2015
Hoshino Michiru "natsu nandashi" (CD+7")
Hoshino Michiru has a new single out today, and the title track is written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu! "natsu nandashi" is actually a hip-hop-ish answer song to Happy End's "natsu nan desu" (1971). The B-side is also a must,...
Posted on July 22, 2015 at 23:40. | Released on July 22, 2015
Recoride "Freshless"
Brilliant synth-punk band Recoride has a brand new full-length album out now! Check out the clip below to give you a perfect idea. A double release party of Recoride and KOTO will be held tomorrow Friday July 17 at Disk...
Posted on July 16, 2015 at 21:38. | Released on July 15, 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
Sally Soul Stew "Joy To The World / Black Coffee" (7"+CD)
Sally Soul Stew, the band led by Sally Kubota (ex-The Phantom Gift, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1), has a brand new single out this week! A-side "Joy To The World" is a new song with music written by Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five)...
Posted on June 29, 2015 at 21:58. | Released on July 1, 2015
YMCK "Family Dancing"
YMCK are back this month with a 6th album, and this time the theme is "Family Dancing"! Of course this lets us hope for some of the best 8-bit dance music ever! This comes a year and a half after...
Posted on June 11, 2015 at 23:30. | Released on June 24, 2015
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "KPP 2014 Japan Arena Tour Pamyu Pamyu no Colorful Panic Toy Box" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a new DVD/Blu-ray coming this week. The 2-disc set contains a whole show held in Tokyo from last year's Japan Arena Tour, plus another show from London (part of the "Nanda Collection World Tour 2014") with...
Posted on June 7, 2015 at 13:44. | Released on June 10, 2015
Tokyo Killer "Tokyo Killer Street"
Tokyo Killer is a girl-fronted surf rock instrumental band formed of guitarist Keme (Kinoco Hotel), bassist Akko (ex-GO!GO!7188), keyboardist Kei (Urbangarde) and drummer Kyōichi (ex-Urbangarde). This first album, released at the end of April, features some famous covers as well...
Posted on May 24, 2015 at 22:53. | Released on April 22, 2015
Sunaga t experience "STE"
Next week will bring us a brand new 5th album by Sunaga t Experience, DJ Sunaga Tatsuo's long-running jazz solo project. This year marks Sunaga's 30th anniversary as a DJ! Featured musicians include Scha Dara Parr, YOU THE ROCK★, ECD,...
Posted on May 15, 2015 at 23:27. | Released on May 20, 2015
Various Artists "Idol bakari Pizzicato -Konishi Yasuharu x T-Palette Records-"
What's new Pizzicato? Well here's an exciting album coming this week! Various groups from Tower Records' idol-only label T-Palette Records cover nothing but Pizzicato Five songs! Featured are Vanilla Beans, Negicco, lyrical school, Idol Renaissance and onelittlekiss. The whole was...
Posted on April 20, 2015 at 22:00. | Released on April 22, 2015
Record Store Day 2015
Here comes Record Store Day 2015, to be held this Saturday April 18! On that day, people go to record shops to buy vinyl records available exclusively in shops on that day. No pre-orders or even online sales, at least...
Posted on April 15, 2015 at 23:37. | Released on April 18, 2015
Kit Cat "Wordy Rappinghood" (Download)
Kit Cat, the 3-girl (er, cat!) synth-dance-pop unit produced by Dr.Usui (of (M)otocompo), finally had a first song released on iTunes worldwide! This is a cover of classic new wave track "Wordy Rappinghood", originally performed by Tom Tom Club in...
Posted on April 8, 2015 at 21:03. | Released on April 8, 2015
fox capture plan "Underground"
Instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan has a new mini-album coming this week. A cover of Smashing Pumpkins' "Tonight Tonight" is included. The release comes with a bonus 40-minute DVD (Region 2 NTSC) of a show held on October 16,...
Posted on April 5, 2015 at 20:45. | Released on April 8, 2015
Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino "Condor"
Rapper duo Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino have a new album out now! The album features guests such as Bose (Scha Dara Parr) and Zen-La-Rock among others. Various producers participated, with one track produced by Halfby. HMV gives away a...
Posted on April 4, 2015 at 00:00. | Released on April 1, 2015
Perfume "Relax In The City / Pick Me Up"
Perfume's next single will be a double A-side. "Relax In The City" is being used in a commercial for Sapporo drink "Green Aroma", while "Pick Me Up" is a tie-up with the world famous Isetan department store located in Shinjuku,...
Posted on April 1, 2015 at 23:54. | Released on April 29, 2015
Various Artists "Piano Man Plays Disney" (2x12")
The latest Disney cover compilation is one full of pianists. Featured are artists such as Nakatsuka Takeshi, fox capture plan, Schroeder-Headz, →Pia-no-jaC← and more, playing various Disney hit tunes old and new. This was actually released on CD earlier this...
Posted on March 21, 2015 at 23:49. | Released on March 27, 2015
Count Joke "itsuka dokoka de c/w yūrei no Ballad" (7"+CD)
This release completes Count Joke's "Air-Replay Series" trilogy of 7" singles. These two songs were being released on CD last December. This packaging includes both 7" and CD (with instrumentals). "itsuka dokokade" features Smooth Ace, and was written in memory...
Posted on March 21, 2015 at 20:19. | Released on March 25, 2015
Harada Tomoyo "Love Song Covers"
Harada Tomoyo has a new album coming this week, consisting of covers of foreign songs such as The Beatles "I've Just Seen a Face", Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender", Julie London's "Fly Me To The Moon", Burt Bacharach-written "The Look...
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 15:37. | Released on March 18, 2015
Various Artists "Zher the Zoo Yoyogi 10th Anniversary Compilation Album 'Here Come The Girl'zoo'"
Zher the ZOO (a venue in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku) has been around for 10 years already. Here's a nice-priced compilation of various female vocal songs by artists familiar to the venue. Most of these are rare or brand new recordings. Featured...
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 13:51. | Released on March 18, 2015
Tweedees "The Sound Sounds."
Tweedees is a brand new band formed of Okii Reiji (Scott Goes For, Frog, ex-Cymbals) with 24-year-old singer/actress Kiyoura Natsumi. Check out the video below, and hear other audio samples at CDJapan. The song "KLING! KLANG!!" is available in advance...
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 13:16. | Released on March 18, 2015
(((sssurrounddd))) "See you, Blue"
City pops band (((sssurrounddd))) has a 3rd album coming up! This one features collaborations with Sunahara Yoshinori, Dorian and Seiho (Sugar's Campaign). Sunahara also did the album's mastering. A free in-store event will be held at Tower Records Shinjuku (7F)...
Posted on March 14, 2015 at 17:00. | Released on March 18, 2015
Perfume "5th Tour 2014 Gurun Gurun" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Perfume's 5th tour, titled "Gurun Gurun" (official page) and held through August and September in 2014, has now been released on Blu-ray and DVD. The recording is of the tour's finale show held at Kokuritsu Yoyogi Daiichi Taiikukan in Tokyo...
Posted on March 11, 2015 at 23:09. | Released on March 10, 2015
lyrical school "SPOT"
lyrical school has a new album out now! This is the follow-up to "date course" released 1½ year ago. The album includes tracks by tofubeats ("FRESH !!!" and "yume de aitai ne"), Illreme (of (((sssurrounddd)))) ("gekka bijin" and "waratte.net"), as...
Posted on March 10, 2015 at 23:13. | Released on March 10, 2015
Hanae "jōkyō shōko"
Singer Hanae's 2nd album was released this week! Like her first, the brilliant "jikkai Quiz", it is produced by Manabe Shūichi (ex-sōtaiseiriron). On a few songs she experiences with some rap for the first time, such as in "S-T-A-R-S" (see...
Posted on March 8, 2015 at 12:06. | Released on March 4, 2015
Nomiya Maki "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji / aru hi totsuzen" (7")
Out this week is a 7" cut from Nomiya Maki's latest live album, "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards". Included is a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's most famous song, "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (aka "The night is still...
Posted on March 5, 2015 at 22:39. | Released on March 6, 2015
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Mondai Girl"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a brand new single coming. "Mondai Girl" has been heard recently playing at the end of TV drama "mondai no aru Restaurant", while the two B-sides are used in TV commercials for Nintendo and Chintai (a...
Posted on March 1, 2015 at 18:31. | Released on March 18, 2015
Hideki Kaji x Yakenohara feat. Takagi Masakatsu "Sound of Felicity" (7"+Download)
This is a collaboration single of Kaji Hideki and rapper Yakenohara with Takagi Masakatsu. All three are on label felicity, and the song first appeared on compilation "Clear Cut 200" (Amazon) released last November. Here it comes on a 7"...
Posted on February 27, 2015 at 23:24. | Released on February 24, 2015
Count Joke "LED c/w nagisa" (7"+CD)
A 2nd 7" from this trilogy by Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page), unit of Maezono Naoki & Arai Toshiya, was released this week! Also check out the January-released "bird man c/w ameagari". The next will be released on...
Posted on February 27, 2015 at 22:38. | Released on February 25, 2015
Especia "Primera"
Osaka-based 80's style idol group Especia have made a move to a major label, and their first major release comes as a mini-album (still clocking over 38 minutes). This includes songs written by Meserati Nagisa (LUVRAW (Image Cluv) & PellyColo),...
Posted on February 22, 2015 at 23:25. | Released on February 18, 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
akiko "Rockin' jivin' swingin'"
Jazz singer akiko has a brand new album out now, of rockin', jivin' and swingin' songs (as the title says!) from the 40's and 50's. Featured musicians include Gentle Forest Jazz Band, Blue Moon Quartet, Fats & Fats, and also...
Posted on February 8, 2015 at 20:09. | Released on February 4, 2015
Reina & The Blue Valentines "Lady or Girl?"
After the release of two 7" singles, here's a first album by Reina & The Blue Valentines, girl band fronted by Nosa Reina (whose latest solo album "don't kiss, but yes" was produced by Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five)) and formed...
Posted on February 6, 2015 at 21:56. | Released on February 11, 2015
Scha Dara Parr "1212"
It's been about 6 years since Scha Dara Parr's previous album, "11" (2009), and here comes a brand new one! This 12th album features 12 new songs including collaborations with girl rock band Chatmonchy, talent Shimizu Michiko and also longtime...
Posted on January 26, 2015 at 21:23. | Released on January 28, 2015
Negicco "Rice&Snow"
Negicco have a brand new album just out this week! This includes songs written by Tajima Takao (Original Love), Yoshida Tetsuto, Yano Hiroyasu (ex-Cymbals), Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Miura Kōshi (Kuchiroro), and of course Negicco's main producer Connie. Also there...
Posted on January 22, 2015 at 21:25. | Released on January 20, 2015
Sugar's Campaign "Friends"
Sugar's Campaign, the unit of producers Avec Avec (aka Takuma Hosokawa) and Seiho (aka Seiho Hayakawa), finally has a full-length album coming! This includes latest single "Holiday" as well as an album version of previous hit track "Netokano". A must!...
Posted on January 5, 2015 at 23:07. | Released on January 21, 2015
Gig report: "Frenesi school: The legendary end-of-business ceremony"
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I saw in 2014 was Frenesi, and it was a very special one. In November Frenesi announced that she would put a stop (though maybe temporary) to...
Posted on January 4, 2015 at 00:34.
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans IV"
Vanilla Beans have a brand new album coming, you guessed it, "Vanilla Beans IV"! Once again this comes with artwork that's both very non-idol-like and unforgettable. The album will include several brand new songs, plus the title tracks of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 23:24. | Released on February 3, 2015
Gig report: Miss Maki Nomiya sings "Shibuya-kei Standards" 2014
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 7 was a show by Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) at Billboard Live Tokyo. With the title "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", it was the 2nd of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 15:43.
Charan-Po-Rantan "Theatre Theatre"
Charan-Po-Rantan, the brilliant duo of sisters Momo (vocals) and Koharu (accordion), have a first major full-length album out now. A cover of Edith Piaf's "Hymne à l'amour" is included. The limited edition comes with a DVD of 9 songs, two...
Posted on December 30, 2014 at 00:28. | Released on December 3, 2014
Nona Reeves "Choice III"
The latest in Nona Reeves' "Choice" series is a cover album of Wham!, or an album of only Wham! covers, if you prefer. The artwork refers to the fact that Wham! songs "Bad Boys" and "Freedom" were used in TV...
Posted on December 29, 2014 at 20:16. | Released on November 5, 2014
