Posted on August 6, 2020 at 13:11. | Event held on Sunday August 16, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
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.
Chari Chari "We hear the last decades dreaming"
Chari Chari, aka DJ/producer Kaoru Inoue (SoundCloud), has just released a brand new album, 18 years since his latest under the same monicker (album "In Time", in 2002). Along with his latest sounds of electronic music with an organic feel,...
Posted on July 22, 2020 at 21:18. | Released on July 22, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.6
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 June 25, 2020 at 01:32.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.5
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 May 28, 2020 at 01:10.
Fujii Yohei "I Wanna Be Your Star / The Ambiguous Logic and Equation" (7")
Indie funkster Fujii Yōhei (SoundCloud) has a new single out now on 7" and digitally! It had been about 7 years since his 2nd album "Banana Games" (2013) (, Spotify). The new songs hint Prince and 80's influences. Don't...
Posted on April 25, 2020 at 23:10. | Released on April 22, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.4
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 April 23, 2020 at 00:50.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.3
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 March 26, 2020 at 08:00.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.2
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 22, 2020 at 23:55.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.1
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's first official episode of its own radio show (following a Christmas special)! The show is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some...
Posted on December 26, 2019 at 01:31.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Noël Nippon"
Tokyo's Coolest Sound is starting its own radio show! Part of La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), the show will bring you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in...
Posted on December 14, 2019 at 01:04.
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
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
Record Store Day 2019
Record Store Day 2019 is just around the corner! This year it's to be held on April 13, a week earlier than usual. This year again there are many great releases happening in Japan. Below are Tokyo's Coolest Sound's picks!...
Posted on April 11, 2019 at 22:33. | Released on April 13, 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
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
nimit & co. / BANK split cassette single
nimit & co. is the solo unit of Kunimi Tomoko (Twitter), trumpeter of Wack Wack Rhythm Band, and this is her very first release! This comes as a split cassette tape with band BANK whose two latest songs (released...
Posted on January 7, 2019 at 21:45. | Released on December 15, 2018
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.
Bank "Vivre / Number 3" (Download)
New wave band BANK has a new single out now digitally! Lovers rock song "Vivre" features vocals by Kunimi Tomoko (Wack Wack Rhythm Band, nimit & co.) and additional guitars by Ōhashi Nobuyuki (aka Pate, ex-Bridge, an ex-member of...
Posted on November 28, 2018 at 22:54. | Released on November 28, 2018
Her Serves & Receive "Service Ace"
Her Serves & Receive (Japanese name "kanojo no Serves & Receive") is a girl vocal duo, and "future tennis icons", that has a gimmick of sporting tennis wear and a racket whenever performing live. Beyond the looks, their sounds have...
Posted on August 11, 2018 at 18:20. | Released on August 5, 2018
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
tofubeats "Fantasy Club"
tofubeats has a brand new album, his 3rd major album, coming this month! This is the follow-up to "Positive" (2015). There seems to be much more of tofubeats' own vocals than ever before, though the album also features guest vocalists...
Posted on May 6, 2017 at 11:51. | Released on May 24, 2017
Hamada Maron "kisetsu meguredo jazz ver." (CD+7")
Jazz singer Hamada Maron has a new single out now, and it's produced by Sunaga Tatsuo! Featured are members of instrumental jazz band TRI4TH. The B-side is "mirei Butterfly", recently featured on Sunaga Tatsuo's "yoru Jazz gaiden 2 ~ All...
Posted on December 24, 2016 at 00:22. | Released on December 21, 2016
Record Day 2016
Record Day (not the same as "Record Store Day") has been set to coincide with Japan's "Culture Day" public holiday on November 3 since 1957. Since last year, Japan's only record press Tōyō Kasei takes the lead inviting Japanese artists...
Posted on November 6, 2016 at 23:02. | Released on November 3, 2016
XTAL "Skygazer"
XTAL, aka Crystal (of (((sssurrounddd))), Jintana & Emeralds), has a first solo album coming on Crue-L Records! Expect electronic music that visits genres such as "shoegaze piano house", "slow acid minimal" and "cutup Balearic", we're being told. Included are collaborations...
Posted on January 24, 2016 at 13:24. | Released on February 1, 2016
LLLL "Faithful"
Electro unit LLLL (Facebook page, Soundcloud) has a brand new album out imminently! "Faithful" is the follow-up to "Paradice" (2014). The new album features various female vocalists, including Shinobu of Her Ghost Friend, Metoronori, Kanako of kindan no tasūketsu and...
Posted on March 14, 2015 at 18:59. | Released on March 15, 2015
Noppal "I Luv MaryJane / Lazy Sun Day" (7")
Laid-back female rapper Noppal has a 7" cut coming, of two songs from excellent mini-album "Summer EP 2015" (ironically released in 2014). "I Luv MaryJane" was produced by Mr.Melody (PPP) and features LUVRAW on talkbox, while "Lazy Sun Day"...
Posted on February 11, 2015 at 13:30. | Released on February 20, 2015
80kidz "Face"
80kidz have a 4th album out this week, on their own Park label. This is the follow-up to "Turbo Town" (2012), though "80:XX-01020304" (a compilation of tracks from 4 EPs) was also released since. Featured are several international vocalists such...
Posted on September 23, 2014 at 12:28. | Released on September 24, 2014
Frontier Backyard "Gladness"
Frontier Backyard is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and they have a new remix album out now featuring remixes by Cubismo Grafico, Halfby, Dorian, Avec Avec, YOSUKEKOTANI (Harvard), TA-1 (Furuta Taichi of Koncos), Yasei Collective, and more. The band will be...
Posted on September 7, 2014 at 20:53. | Released on September 3, 2014
Buffalo Daughter "Konjac-tion"
Here comes a brand new original album by Buffalo Daughter, follow-up to "The Weapons of Math Destruction" (2010). The new album has a theme of "block party" and comes as a set of 2 CDs, one of the original new...
Posted on July 20, 2014 at 17:56. | Released on July 23, 2014
POiSON GiRL FRiEND "rondoElectro"
Do you remember POiSON GiRL FRiEND (Facebook page)? Solo unit of nOrikO, its name took inspiration from Momus who later produced two of her albums ("Shyness" and "Mr. Polyglot Remix"). 20 years have passed since "Love Me" (1994) and now...
Posted on July 10, 2014 at 23:22. | Released on July 14, 2014
Dark Model "Dark Model"
Dark Model is the latest project of Tatsuya Oe (aka Captain Funk), who now resides in New York. This is a first full-length album, instrumental and with a cinematic feel. This is available on CD through CD Baby, and also...
Posted on May 17, 2014 at 12:33. | Released on May 16, 2014
frenesi "Dolphino"
Here's a new release from frenesi! This album contains the 8 songs from now rare album "Landmark Theater" (2000, Bambini Records), but also 3 rarities from a compilation and a 7", and 3 brand new songs ("8:30 no Theme", "GO...
Posted on November 2, 2013 at 23:54. | Released on November 6, 2013
Horie Hirohisa "At Grand Gallery"
This is a first solo album by Horie Hirohisa (SoundCloud), better known as half of band Neil & Iraiza (together with Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji aka cubismo grafico) and as keyboardist for The Cornelius Group and pupa (band of Takahashi Yukihiro...
Posted on October 24, 2013 at 04:28. | Released on October 30, 2013
Various Artists "WIRE13 Compilation"
Here comes the annual WIRE compilation, reminding us of the upcoming annual large rave event of the same name organized by Ishino Takkyū (Denki Groove). This year WIRE celebrates its 15th anniversary! The 2-CD compilation gives an overview of this...
Posted on August 13, 2013 at 22:16. | Released on August 14, 2013
FQTQ "Hyperactive"
Electro artist FQTQ (SoundCloud, Facebook page) has a new album out now (his 4th I believe). It features vocalists such as aco (spoon+), kuske (KPLECRAFT), Ōtsuki Maki and komaku Shredder. Official release page FQTQ "Hyperactive" 1. Super Hero feat. komaku...
Posted on July 3, 2013 at 22:40. | Released on June 5, 2013
Gig report: blue marble, mishmash* Julie Watai
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 22 was an event presented by blue marble, a band that released first album "Valerie" (Amazon) four years ago to then sort of disappear. This was to...
Posted on June 29, 2013 at 11:26.
Tarte Tatin "TETRAD ENHANCE～tartetatin remix album～", "1st LIVE @ SHIBUYA WWW"
Tarte Tatin is a cute girl duo produced by Azel & Baijan (aka Nishiura Kensuke and Manabe Shūichi, both ex-Sōtaiseiriron). Following 1st album "Tetrad" (2012, Amazon), here comes a remix album fearuting tofubeats, Sexy-Synthesizer (aka (S_S)), Cherryboy Function, Tanaka Takashi...
Posted on April 10, 2013 at 22:37. | Released on April 17, 2013
"The Selection of DE DE MOUSE Favorites performed by Rokugen Club with Farah a.k.a. RF vol.01"
This is an album produced by De De Mouse consisting of songs that influenced the artist, but all of these are re-arranged and performed by an "instrumental hip-hop jazz band" named RF. "Floats & Falls" from De De Mouse's latest...
Posted on March 24, 2013 at 00:07. | Released on March 20, 2013
Emi Necozawa & Sphinx "EP" (12")
Following last year's "Pyramidia" album, here comes a 12" cut of songs by Necozawa Emi's jazz group. Included is a remix by Miura Makoto (on whose latest album Emi contributed narration), and two 12" mixes of some of the best...
Posted on February 17, 2013 at 13:06. | Released on February 20, 2013
MimiCof "KotoLyra"
MimiCof (official Facebook page), the solo project of Berlin-based electronic artist Midori Hirano, has a 2nd album out now on Japanese label Progressive Form. Hear the album trailer clip below, and more samples at SoundCloud. Also check out first album...
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:08. | Released on December 15, 2012
TGMX "I Can't Sing It"
TGMX (Frontier Backyard, Cubismo Grafico Five, Scafull King) has a 2nd solo album out now on Niw! Records. This new album has many guests from bands such as Cubismo GRafico Five, Your Song Is Good and many more. For the...
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 23:23. | Released on November 23, 2012
9nine "Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl / Brave"
Idol group 9nine (pronounced just "nine") has a new single coming. This one contains the theme song of "Hoa hoa! Kyonshi Girl", a TV series starring one of the girls as a kyonshi fighter. Kyonshis are Chinese zombies that were...
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 22:29. | Released on November 14, 2012
Recoride "MP3 no danmatsuma"
Formed 3 years ago, here's a first full-length album by Recoride, a synth-punk band led by Sasaki Kissa (ex-Gekkan Pro-Bowler) and fronted by a female singer. Check out the new-wave-y video clip below! Includes a PandaBoY remix. More audio samples...
Posted on April 13, 2012 at 22:16. | Released on April 4, 2012
Scott Goes For "Scott Goes For"
Scott Goes For is a new band started in 2010, though you might already know its experienced members from their previous bands: Arai Hitoshi (from N.G.Three, Ron Ron Clou, The Automatics, Northern Bright) on vocals and guitar, Okii Reiji (from...
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 21:19. | Released on January 18, 2012
Various Artists "kirakira Ghibli -Returns-"
Here's another release from the "Kirakira Ghibli" series, this time featuring covers and remixes by various young artists from the club, chip-tune and electronic scenes such as Tofubeats, Novoiski, Idiot Pop, and many more. Check out the sampler clip below....
Posted on June 19, 2011 at 00:56. | Released on June 22, 2011
MimiCof "RundSkipper"
Berlin-based electronic artist Midori Hirano has a new solo project going under the name MimiCof in which she says she focuses more on electronic textures and beat-oriented music. Here's a first album coming on Japanese label Progressive Form. Check out...
Posted on June 4, 2011 at 10:55. | Released on June 15, 2011
Various Artists "Good Lovin' - Shimokita-kei Guitar Pop Compilation -"
Here's a compilation album that focuses on 90's Shimokitazawa guitar pop. Shimokitazawa is a young area of Tokyo where many artists live, and also the home of CD shop and live space mona records. Included are tracks by Luvy Van...
Posted on October 2, 2010 at 11:04. | Released on October 6, 2010
Various Artists "CC:01 -commmons compilation-"
Here's a first label sampler compilation from Sakamoto Ryūichi's commmons, also hoping to give a good starting point to new fans of the label. Featured artists include HASYMO, Sakamoto Ryūichi, mi-gu (aka Araki Yūko, drummer of The Cornelius Group), naomi...
Posted on February 19, 2010 at 23:37. | Released on February 24, 2010
Various Artists "Our Favourite Shops ~Roots of KOGA Melody~"
Label KOGA will release a compilation of indies artists performing rock covers. Included is a new recording by Macdonald Duck Eclair doing Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song"! Various Artists "Our Favourite Shops ~Roots of KOGA Melody~" 1. Berry Roll / Top...
Posted on June 15, 2007 at 14:29. | Released on June 20, 2007
Cityboys "20th Century Cityboys" (2CD)
Almost missed this one... This is a 2CD selection of songs from various City Boys soundtracks from 1992 until 2000 (covering at least "Toilet Without Key", "i messaggeri degli imbecilli vanno all'ovest", "Love's Rubber Brain", "Building on a Strong Foundation",...
Posted on March 16, 2005 at 12:01. | Released on March 9, 2005
