Crazy Ken Band "I Like It"
Crazy Ken Band is releasing a cover album for the first time ever, including many songs that are part of band's and most precisely leader Yokoyama Ken's musical roots. The selection spans from the 70s to the early 90s. Check...
Posted on September 6, 2021 at 21:17. | Released on September 8, 2021
Magic, Drums & Love "Dancehall! Supreme! Shooting!" (7")
Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love is releasing a brand new 7" single of two songs! Like the other recent releases, it's produced by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (of Learners, Neil and Iraiza, Cubismo Grafico). The A-side is a...
Posted on August 24, 2021 at 19:03. | Released on August 25, 2021
suzuki mamiko (chelmico) "ms", chelmico "POWER" (12"), "Fishing" (12"), "maze" (12"), "COZY" (12")
This week came a massive drop of chelmico! First is a solo album by member Suzuki Mamiko, her first full-length, titled "ms". The song "jam" features singer-songwriter iri. The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of a band-backed live...
Posted on August 19, 2021 at 21:35. | Released on August 18, 2021
Philosophy no Dance "Double Standard"
Funky idol group Philosophy No Dance has released a new EP titled "Double Standard", including the recently digitally released song of the same name, plus two new songs and a remix by Night Tempo. "Double Standard" is the ending theme...
Posted on August 19, 2021 at 13:33. | Released on August 18, 2021
Sketch Show "audio sponge" (2x12"), "tronika" (12"), "LOOPHOLE" (2x12")
Three albums of Sketch Show, the unit of Yukihiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono, are being re-issued on vinyl for the first time after almost 20 years. "audio sponge" was first released in 2002, followed by "tronika" and "LOOPHOLE" in 2003....
Posted on July 14, 2021 at 22:39. | Released on July 21, 2021
Zoomgals "Conspiracy Hairy (feat. Dos Monos)" (Download)
Zoomgals (formed of Namichie, Marukido, ASOBOiSM, AKKOGORILLA, valknee and Haruko Tajima) suddenly dropped today a new single out now digitally! Titled "Conspiracy Hairy" or in Japanese "Immoron" (translates to "Pubic hair theory"), it's of course about pubic hair! The...
Posted on July 7, 2021 at 23:46. | Released on July 7, 2021
ikkubaru "Amusement Park Expanded Edition"
An "expanded edition" of Indonesian city pop band ikkubaru's first album "Amusement Park" is being released today in Japan! The 2-CD package includes both 1st album "Amusement Park" (2015) plus mini-album "Brighter" (2016), plus a full CD worth of rare...
Posted on June 30, 2021 at 13:11. | Released on June 30, 2021
G.RINA "Tolerance"
Singer-songwriter/trackmaker G.RINA has just released a new album titled "Tolerance"! Featured artists include Chinza Dopeness, Zen-La-Rock, NENE (Yurufuwa Gang), BIM and more. This follows 2017 album "Live & Learn", though she had since released several songs digitally, and also in...
Posted on June 27, 2021 at 16:23. | Released on June 23, 2021
Kaede "Youth - Original Soundtrack"
Kaede (Negicco) has just released a new concept album, the soundtrack of an imaginary movie titled "Youth". The album's producer is Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) who often accompanies Kaede on piano in her shows. One song also has lyrics written by...
Posted on June 15, 2021 at 21:16. | Released on June 15, 2021
CAPSULE "Hikari no disco" (Download)
CAPSULE has just released yesterday a brand new song titled "Hikari no disco", a title that roughly translates to "Disco of light"! With the song came along a music video showing singer Koshijima Toshiko driving a retro-futuristic Honda Prelude...
Posted on June 5, 2021 at 21:38. | Released on June 4, 2021
Posted on May 3, 2021 at 09:14. | Event held on Monday May 3, 2021 at 19:00 (JST)
Philosophy no Dance "Cup Ramen Program"
Funky idol group Philosophy No Dance have just released a new EP! You can watch the music video for title song "Cup Ramen Program" below. The album comes in three editions. Limited edition A includes a Blu-ray disc of live...
Posted on April 29, 2021 at 11:50. | Released on April 28, 2021
Starry Planet☆ "Sweet Daytime - Aikatsu Planet! Featured Songs vol.2"
This is a soundtrack mini-album from the live action TV series "Aikatsu Planet!" that's based on the arcade game of the same name. Included is the song "Lady Lady Lady" that was written and arranged by Imai Kentarō (of...
Posted on April 24, 2021 at 00:05. | Released on April 21, 2021
lyrical school "Wonderland"
lyrical school has a brand new album titled "Wonderland" out now! This follows EP "OK!!!!!" released last year. The album has tracks produced by KM, PES, Kick a Show & Sam is Ohm among others, and there are lyrics contributed...
Posted on April 7, 2021 at 23:31. | Released on April 7, 2021
Various Artists "Kyohei Tsutsumi Song Book"
Famous songwriter Tsutsumi Kyōhei passed away last October at the age of 80. This album is a tribute made of brand new recordings, featuring the work of producers Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One), Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Takebe Satoshi, Kameda Seiji,...
Posted on March 25, 2021 at 10:14. | Released on March 24, 2021
Lupin The Third Jam Crew "Lupin The Third Jam -Lupin The Third Remix-" (12"/CD)
Lupin The Third Jam Crew is a remix project of songs from Lupin The Third's recent years anime movies and series. Featured remixers include tofubeats, fox capture plan, banvox, Kan Sano and many more. The remixes have been released digitally...
Posted on March 14, 2021 at 20:53. | Released on March 13, 2021
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "SKA=ALMIGHTY"
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra has just released a brand new album titled "SKA=ALMIGHTY". This follows album "tsugihagi Colorful" (2019). Included are theme songs from Kamen Rider, "Almighty ~ Kamen no yakusoku", "Kamen Rider Saber" and "tajū rokō", as well as...
Posted on March 6, 2021 at 01:00. | Released on March 3, 2021
Various Artists "ALFA Music Live - ALFA 50th Anniversary Edition" (2 Blu-ray + 2 CDs)
In September 2015 was held a special concert for the 70th birthday of composer and music producer Murai Kunihiko, founder of the record company Alfa Music. The show was planned by Matsutoya Masataka, and featured performances of many artists close...
Posted on March 2, 2021 at 22:35. | Released on March 4, 2021
Rikako Aida "Fiction"
Voice actress Aida Rikako (Twitter) has just released a 2nd EP, of which one song is written and produced by Kaji Hideki: "taikutsu ga daisuki". The song was co-arranged by Arai Toshiya (COUNTJOKE), and features Nagai Seiichi (ex-sōtaiseiriron) on...
Posted on March 2, 2021 at 00:07. | Released on February 24, 2021
Interview: BJ Rubin
Interview of BJ Rubin by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound)--> BJ Rubin is the New Yorker who is behind the eclectic TV show titled "The BJ Rubin Show" that's currently being aired on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). The show...
Posted on February 27, 2021 at 22:00.
Moon Phase (Tsuki No Michikake) "My Eyes Seek" (Download)
Moon Phase, known in Japanese as Tsuki No Michikake, is a duo formed of songwriter/producer Imai Kazuya and lyricist/singer Kumagai Asumi. They have just released a 2nd EP of three songs digitally. The song "My Eyes Seek" features Matsuki Bitei...
Posted on February 26, 2021 at 21:00. | Released on February 17, 2021
Keiichi Suzuki "Mother Music Revisited"
Keiichi Suzuki (Moonriders, No Lie-Sense, Controversial Spark), who was recently celebrating the 50th anniversary of his musical career, has just released an album that revisits songs from the soundtrack of Famicom game "MOTHER" (aka "EarthBound Beginnings") that he composed. All...
Posted on January 31, 2021 at 18:19. | Released on January 27, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.13
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...
Posted on January 28, 2021 at 01:13.
Skirt "Another Story"
Pop band Skirt, a.k.a. singer-songwriter Sawabe Wataru, has released just recently this album of re-recordings of early indie-days songs, before he joined label Kakubarhythm. The limited edition includes a Blu-ray disc of Skirt's 10th anniversary concert, held on September 5,...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 21:00. | Released on December 16, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.12
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...
Posted on December 24, 2020 at 00:34.
MIKKO "Christmas 2020" (Download)
Yes, it's that time of the year! 🎄 Singer-songwriter MIKKO has just released a new Christmas EP digitally, titled "Christmas 2020", which includes a song in collaboration with TWEEDEES ("Happy Xmas With You") and also a cover of Paul...
Posted on December 4, 2020 at 20:20. | Released on November 27, 2020
Urbangarde "Avantdemic"
Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde has just released a new album, titled "Avantdemic". This is their 10th album, actually their 2nd this year following the release of "TOKYOPOP" on New Year's Day. It's full of brand new songs including an upgraded...
Posted on November 30, 2020 at 00:24. | Released on November 25, 2020
Various Artists "Magical Connection 2020"
This is a compilation of new generation Shibuya-kei, compiled and supervised by Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). Featured are a few brand new recordings, including new SOLEIL covers by microstar (songwriters of "Baby Boo"), Tweedees...
Posted on November 23, 2020 at 10:40. | Released on November 25, 2020
Posted on November 13, 2020 at 19:33. | Event held on Saturday November 14, 2020 at 21:00 (JST)
Ryusenkei / hitomitoi "Talio"
Ryusenkei (project of Cunimondo Takiguchi) and hitomitoi have teamed up to produce the city pop-themed soundtrack of the currently ongoing NHK TV series "Talio". After releasing the song "kanashii kurai Diamond" digitally last month (Spotify, ), here comes the full...
Posted on November 10, 2020 at 00:23. | Released on November 11, 2020
Various Artists "Join The Pac - Pac-Man 40th Anniversary Album -"
Following the release of Pac-Man tribute songs as three digital EPs earlier this year (vol.1, vol.2 & vol.3), here finally comes the awaited Pac-Man 40th anniversary album! Included are all of the tracks from those three EPs, plus songs by...
Posted on November 3, 2020 at 22:01. | Released on October 28, 2020
Record Day 2020
Record Day 2020, ran by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is just about to happen this November 3rd. Being on the same day as Japan's "Culture Day", it's a day off well spent doing record shopping. Record Day items are...
Posted on November 3, 2020 at 01:59. | Released on November 3, 2020
Interview: Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi
Original interview text by Takashi Ikegami Translated from Japanese by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi (below "Mimi") is an interesting artist from actually many perspectives. First, there is the one where she expresses original works as the...
Posted on November 2, 2020 at 00:25.
RSD Drops Day 3: Elekibass, bjons, SAKA-SAMA, marble≠marble
This Saturday October 24 is Record Store Day's third and last "RSD Drops Day", which this year gave a chance buying the exclusive items online on the day of release in addition to physical shops. Online sales will start from...
Posted on October 23, 2020 at 13:31. | Released on October 24, 2020
Hiroshi Fujiwara "slumbers 2"
Hiroshi Fujiwara (Instagram) is releasing a brand new album titled "slumbers 2", the follow-up to "slumbers" (2017) (Spotify, , YouTube Music). The new album, which is described as alternative city-pop, vaporwave and neo-soul, is sound produced by Watanabe Shunsuke (Schroeder-Headz)...
Posted on October 5, 2020 at 21:13. | Released on October 7, 2020
Philosophy no Dance "Don't Stop the Dance"
Funky idol group Philosophy No Dance has just done their major debut on Sony, with this new single titled "Don't Stop the Dance". The title song's lyrics were written by Hyadain. There are two limited editions, the "type A" which...
Posted on September 27, 2020 at 22:37. | Released on September 23, 2020
Perfume "Time Warp"
Perfume continues to celebrate their 20th anniversary, as well as the 15th since their major debut. Following the live Blu-ray/DVD that has just been released, here comes a brand new single! The B-side was previously released digitally at the end...
Posted on September 8, 2020 at 22:10. | Released on September 16, 2020
ikkubaru "Chords & Melodies"
Indonesian city pop band ikkubaru, also very active in the Japanese city pop scene, has just released a 2nd album of which the Japanese edition CD contains several bonus tracks! Included are three songs from a commemorative release of their...
Posted on September 6, 2020 at 00:14. | Released on September 2, 2020
Perfume "Perfume 8th Tour 2020 'P Cubed' in Dome" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Perfume are now celebrating their 20th anniversary, and the 15th since their major debut. This Blu-ray/DVD release is of the Tokyo Dome show of their latest tour, titled "Perfume 8th Tour 2020 'P Cubed' in Dome", which followed the release...
Posted on September 1, 2020 at 21:46. | Released on September 2, 2020
chelmico "maze"
chelmico, girl rap unit of MCs Rachel and Mamiko, is releasing a 3rd full-length album! This follows "Fishing" released last year, and includes hit single "Easy Breezy". Featured musicians include U-zhaan, Hasegawa Hakushi, mabanua (Ovall), Toshiki Hayashi (%C) and more....
Posted on August 23, 2020 at 19:01. | Released on August 26, 2020
Ushio Kensuke "'Japan Sinks: 2020' Original Soundtrack" (2CD)
This is the soundtrack for Netflix anime series "Japan Sinks: 2020" (directed by Yuasa Asaaki), of which the music was produced by Ushio Kensuke (agraph). This soundtrack album includes 41 songs on two CDs, and the first pressing is said...
Posted on August 23, 2020 at 11:43. | Released on August 26, 2020
City Pop on Vinyl 2020
"City Pop on Vinyl" is a campaign organized by Japan's famous record press Toyo Kasei, and on August 8 will be a special day with many releases that file under the "city pop" category that we love! While only sold...
Posted on July 27, 2020 at 00:30. | Released on August 8, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.7
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...
Posted on July 22, 2020 at 23:35.
Magic, Drums & Love "Amazon Night / Eyes, Hands, Height & Hair" (7"/Download)
Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love has a new double-A-side 7" single being released! Like their latest album, "Hurricane Upsetter", it's produced by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Neil and Iraiza, Cubismo Grafico). The single is said to include...
Posted on July 21, 2020 at 23:19. | Released on July 22, 2020
Jun Kamoda "Escape The Night / Funky Protection" (7"), "kotoba no seiza (w/ CD album '3')" (Book+CD)
Jun Kamoda (aka Illreme, also the singer of band (((sssurrounddd)))) (Facebook, Bandcamp) has just released a 7" of two tracks that consist of sampling works, officially using sounds from Kashif's "The Night" (song that featured hitomitoi, released on album "BlueSongs")...
Posted on July 5, 2020 at 13:39. | Released on July 3, 2020
Sloppy Joe "Waiting For The Night Begins", "With Kisses Four" (12")
Indie pop band Sloppy Joe (Facebook page) has a brand new 2nd album about to be released! Included are a bunch of new songs, as well as two previously released on 7" in 2013, "Once And For All" and "That...
Posted on June 30, 2020 at 22:28. | Released on July 2, 2020
Crazy Ken Band "Ivory ep"
Crazy Ken Band has just released a new EP which consists mainly of brand new songs "Ivory" and "dakara itta desho"! Also included are the previously digitally released "Kadomatsu" (theme song of movie "uso 800 Kyōmachi Royale") and "yume no...
Posted on June 26, 2020 at 23:45. | Released on June 24, 2020
Mellow Mellow "saikou kessaku"
Mellow Mellow, a trio formed of girls "not taller than 150cm", has a new single out now digitally and the title song was written and arranged by Konishi Yasuharu! Check out the cool music video below! The B-side was written...
Posted on June 11, 2020 at 23:43. | Released on June 10, 2020
Nakano Aya "10th Anniversary Black Box" (5x7")
Singer Nakano Aya has a boxed set of five 7"'s being released on June 10, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of her career! Four of the discs were selected different DJs and one by herself. Those selectors are Sunaga...
Posted on May 31, 2020 at 22:33. | Released on June 10, 2020
jan and naomi "YES", "Neutrino"
Duo jan and naomi (Facebook) are back with two albums, one produced by jan ("Neutrino") and the other by naomi ("YES"). "YES" has dreamy sounds with Rhodes and organs, while "Neutrino" shows a shoegazer synth-pop side. The two sing on...
Posted on May 20, 2020 at 22:16. | Released on May 20, 2020
lyrical school "OK!!!!!"
Following album "Be Kind Rewind" (2019), here's a brand new EP by idol rap group lyrical school! Having had several shows canceled or delayed, lyrical school have instead posted two great "remote free live" shows on YouTube, in which each...
Posted on April 25, 2020 at 22:03. | Released on April 22, 2020
Suzuki Masayuki "All Time Rock'n'Roll"
Singer Suzuki Masayuki (aka Martin) is celebrating this year his 40th anniversary since his debut in February 1980 part of chorus group Chanels (later to become Rats & Star). This new album celebrates that with self-covers of Chanels and Rats...
Posted on April 11, 2020 at 15:24. | Released on April 15, 2020
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "The 'Now' Sounds"
Funky instrumental party band Wack Wack Rhythm Band has a brand new album about to be released! All songs from their three latest 7"'s are included: "Easy Riding / I'll Close My Eyes", "Madras Express / Stay-Pressed" and "Finish feat....
Posted on April 1, 2020 at 00:05. | Released on April 4, 2020
Charan-Po-Rantan "Ko Russia"
Charan-Po-Rantan has a new single out now! The title track has a Russia theme, and its music video (watch it below) was shot in Vladivostok. Other tracks include a cover of the theme song from anime "Sally the Witch", a...
Posted on March 18, 2020 at 23:34. | Released on March 18, 2020
BeastieBoyz "BeastieBoyz1" (Download)
Two skilled Japanese MCs, Kamisuzuki Hakushu (of P.O.P) and Maru (ex-Hondalady), have formed a band called BeastieBoyz and are doing, yes, Beastie Boys covers! Backed by acoustic sounds of guitar, flute and cajón, they sing lyrics in Japanese that...
Posted on March 11, 2020 at 19:05. | Released on March 10, 2020
SOLEIL "Live at Veats" (DVD), "Lollipop Sixteen" (12")
SOLEIL, a great band that has put a stop to its activities at the end of 2019, has two releases coming this February 26, 2020! The first is a live DVD which consists mainly of the last show held on...
Posted on February 9, 2020 at 17:17. | Released on February 26, 2020
Kimura Takuya "Go with the Flow"
Kimura Takuya (ex-SMAP), aka Kimutaku, is back solo with an album that's full of collaborations with various artists. Most worth of mention is that the opening track "Flow" was written and arranged by Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius). There's also a...
Posted on January 7, 2020 at 21:37. | Released on January 8, 2020
Katori Shingo "20200101"
Out on the first day of 2020 is a first solo album by Katori Shingo (atarashii chizu, ex-SMAP). The title "20200101" is to be read "niwaniwa waiwai". Included are several collaborations such as ones with Scha Dara Parr, BiSH,...
Posted on January 1, 2020 at 21:45. | Released on January 1, 2020
YMC "Yellow Magic Children #01"
YMC, or Yellow Magic Children, was a special tribute concert featuring artists who were influenced by or have strong ties with Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), for the 40th anniversary of the legendary group. The show was held at the Shinjuku...
Posted on December 30, 2019 at 23:20. | Released on December 25, 2019
SOLEIL "SOLEIL in STEREO"
SOLEIL's first two albums ("My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright") are being reissued as a two-in-one album, and that remixed in stereo for the first time! SOLEIL having always recorded and released in mono only, this time they...
Posted on December 15, 2019 at 12:06. | Released on December 18, 2019
Emiri Kanou "GREENPOP"
Self-produced singer-songwriter and "neo electro-pop girl" Emiri Kanou has finally a full-length album being released! This follows the excellent singles "gomen ne" (7"), "Friday Night" and "1988", all released this year. The lead tracks from those singles are included, as...
Posted on November 14, 2019 at 22:10. | Released on November 20, 2019
Sheena Ringo "Newton no Ringo ~hajimete no Best ban~"
Sheena Ringo has a first ever greatest hits album being about to be released. Covering her whole career, the 2CD album also contains a new song in collaboration with Utada Hikaru which was recorded in London with the London Phiharmonic...
Posted on November 11, 2019 at 21:39. | Released on November 13, 2019
Maika Loubté "Closer" (12")
Maika Loubté's latest album "Closer", out digitally last July (, Spotify, etc.), is about to get a physical release on clear vinyl! Check out the brand new music video for "Snappp (feat. New Optimism)" below, a track featuring New Optimism...
Posted on November 8, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on December 4, 2019
Towa Tei "Arbeit" (2CD), "Future Listening!" (2x12")
Towa Tei is celebrating the 25th anniversary since his solo debut (album "Future Listening!" released in October 1994). Taking part in the celebrations are the releases of 2CD album "Arbeit", a collection of mainly production or remix works for other...
Posted on November 4, 2019 at 15:16. | Released on November 6, 2019
Polysics "In The Sync", The Vocoders "1st V"
Polysics have a brand new album that has just been released! Also, out at the same time is a first album by The Vocoders, a "café techno group" formed of the same members as Polysics. Each containing 13 songs, included...
Posted on October 12, 2019 at 22:07. | Released on October 9, 2019
Perfume "Perfume The Best 'P Cubed'"
Perfume, who did their major debut 14 years ago this month, has a new greatest hits album about to be released! Included are 52 songs on three CDs, included are two brand new songs, "nananananairo" and "Challenger". Nakata Yasutaka himself...
Posted on September 12, 2019 at 22:55. | Released on September 18, 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
Carole & Tuesday / Angela "Polly Jean / Not Afraid"
This is a new single coming from music-themed anime series "Carole & Tuesday". The song "Polly Jean", sung by the two main characters, has music written and arranged by Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), with lyrics by Leo Imai (METAFIVE). A vinyl...
Posted on August 18, 2019 at 23:41. | Released on August 28, 2019
chelmico "Fishing"
chelmico, 2-girl rap unit formed of MCs Rachel and Mamiko, has a 2nd major album being released this month! This time there are tracks made in collaboration with Mikeneko Homeless, ryo takahashi and Toshiki Hayashi (%C), and also Chikada Haruo...
Posted on August 14, 2019 at 22:27. | Released on August 21, 2019
Pizzicato Five "The Band of 20th Century: Nippon Columbia Years 1991-2001"
Pizzicatomania all over the world! Check this out! This is a compilation of the best from Pizzicato Five's Nippon Columbia years (Triad/Readymade), which featured vocalist Nomiya Maki. The whole was supervised and selected by Konishi Yasuharu himself, with art direction...
Posted on August 2, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on November 3, 2019
Crazy Ken Band "Pacific"
Crazy Ken Band has a brand new album being released next week, their 19th original album! This comes just a year after "Going To A Go-Go". A remix by VIDEOTAPEMUSIC is included. The album's limited edition comes with a bonus...
Posted on August 1, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on August 7, 2019
Maika Loubté "Closer" (Download)
Singer-songwriter and synth wiz Maika Loubté has a brand new album out now digitally! Included are many new tracks, such as "Mountaintop" and "Nobara" which had been released in advance, and also a collaboration with New Optimism (aka Miho Hatori),...
Posted on July 12, 2019 at 22:31. | Released on July 12, 2019
TRI4TH "Jack-in-the-box"
Danceable jazz band TRI4TH has a new album about to be released! It's their 2nd album on major label Sony, follow-up to "Anthology" (released November 2018) (Amazon, CDJapan). "Jack-in-the-box" contains 9 brand new original songs, as well as a cover...
Posted on July 7, 2019 at 22:25. | Released on July 10, 2019
Kudo Shizuka "Deep Breath"
Kudō Shizuka, who debuted as an idol in 1987, has a concept cover album being released that consists of covers of foreign songs under the theme "relax". Konishi Yasuharu has arranged and produced two songs, a cover of "Heartbreak Hotel"...
Posted on June 14, 2019 at 23:56. | Released on June 12, 2019
Kaede "shinya. anata wa kyou o furikaeri, mata atarashii asa dane."
Kaede of Negicco has officially started a solo career, and here comes a first solo mini-album on T-Palette Records! Included are songs written by Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service), Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo), Yamazaki Yukari (Kūki Kōdan), Kushibiki Sayaka, and Someya...
Posted on June 11, 2019 at 23:00. | Released on June 18, 2019
Hotei "GUITARHYTHM VI"
Guitarist Hotei (aka Hotei Tomoyasu, ex-BOØWY) has a new solo album being released, the 6th of his "GUITARHYTHM" series, and it features Cornelius on one song! "Clone (feat. Cornelius)" is available digitally in advance (, Spotify). The limited edition comes...
Posted on May 26, 2019 at 15:30. | Released on May 29, 2019
Chimidoro "nanokana?"
Techno rap group Chimidoro has just released a 2nd album this month! This is their first in 12 years, the follow-up to debut album "minna no uta" (2007). Check out this special release page, and also the sampler clip below....
Posted on March 23, 2019 at 13:27. | Released on March 15, 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
Hachimitsu Rocket "chuuken Hachiko"
Hachimitsu Rocket is an idol group of 7 members that was formed in 2014 and did a major debut last year. This 4th single's A-side is a fun song of which the music video shows the girls in Twiggy-like outfits....
Posted on March 19, 2019 at 00:03. | Released on March 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
lyrical school "Tokyo Burning / Cookin' feat. Young Hastle" (7")
Following the release of "Pajama Party / Sharp Pencil feat. Sushiboys" last month, here comes another single from rap idol group lyrical school. A-side "Tokyo Burning" was written and produced by PES (Rip Slyme), and B-side "Cookin'" features hip-hop...
Posted on January 16, 2019 at 23:14. | Released on January 22, 2019
Denki Groove "30"
Denki Groove will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! So here comes a new album called "30" which includes remakes of songs such as remakes of hit songs "Shangri-La", "Fujisan" and "Flashback Disco", as well as two anniversary songs,...
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 15:59. | Released on January 23, 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.
Urbangarde "Urbangarde of Love and Fantasy"
Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has just released a new special album! Closely following the release of "shojo Fiction" (April 2018), this new album collects rarities and tracks not available on any of their...
Posted on November 23, 2018 at 21:23. | Released on November 21, 2018
The Collectors "Young Man Rock"
The Collectors have a new 23rd album out now, titled "Young Man Rock"! Takanami Keitarō (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) has co-arranged the two last songs, according to credits on Tower Records' page. All songs can be sampled on this official...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 22:16. | Released on November 4, 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
Takahashi Yukihiro "Saravah Saravah!"
Takahashi Yukihiro (YMO, Metafive) has re-recorded the vocals of his debut solo album "Saravah!" (1978) 40 years later with his current voice. Included are strings arrangements by Sakamoto Ryuichi, and features appearances of Hosono Haruomi, Yamashita Tatsuro, Takanaka Masayoshi and...
Posted on November 4, 2018 at 19:51. | Released on October 24, 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
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
Yellow Magic Orchestra "Neue Tanz"
This is a compilation of songs by Yellow Magic Orchestra (and solo ones by each member too) selected by Towa Tei for YMO's 40th anniversary. The album was remastered by Sunahara Yoshinori. The jacket artwork was done by Tomoo Gokita...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:07. | Released on October 17, 2018
Cutie Pai "megane myboy"
Cutie Pai has a new single being released! The title song is of course glasses-themed ("megane"). The single comes in two different versions, the Type A contains a remix of "This Is Megane" by CANDLES, while Type B instead has...
Posted on September 24, 2018 at 11:50. | Released on September 25, 2018
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Japamyu"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a 4th album about to be released! "Japamyu" comes over 4 years after "Pika Pika Fantajin" (2014). Included are the previously released songs "Harajuku Iyahoi", "Kimi No Mikata" and "Todoke Punch", as well as a new...
Posted on September 21, 2018 at 23:52. | Released on September 26, 2018
Cornelius "Ripple Waves"
Cornelius has a new album being released this week! This is actually an album that revolves around the latest, "Mellow Waves". Included are some remixes (two of which were previously released part of the Sound & Recording magazine), some tracks...
Posted on September 17, 2018 at 22:10. | Released on September 19, 2018
