Posted on September 9, 2020 at 20:00. | Event held on Saturday October 3, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
Tokyo Beethoven "Nippon kuishin Boy feat. Momo" (7")
Tokyo Beethoven, the project of Tanaka Tomoyuki (FPM) with art director Chihara Tetsuya (of design agency Lemonlife), is releasing a 2nd 7" single featuring Momo of Charan-Po-Rantan. Like the previous release from last March, "Colorful Tokyo / uchuu wa...
Posted on September 8, 2020 at 23:57. | Released on September 16, 2020
Posted on August 14, 2020 at 19:58. | Event held on Friday August 21, 2020 at 20:00 (JST)
hi-posi "hi-posi Cassette ~hi-posi early days 1988-1993~" (CD)
Two early cassette tapes by hi-posi, the unit of Moribayashi Miho (Instagram, Twitter), are being released on CD for the first time! "tenka no hi-posi" (1988) and "hi-posi Demo Tapes Fall 1993" (1993) (also known as "bakazaru") are both included...
Posted on August 9, 2020 at 20:16. | Released on August 18, 2020
Posted on August 7, 2020 at 20:05. | Event held on Saturday August 8, 2020 at 16:00 (JST)
Gallantique Kazue "namida, ame, Adieu / kizashi no Season" (Download)
Singer Gallantique Kazue has just released a new single of two songs. "namida, ame, Adieu" is an original written by Mitz Mangrove (another member of Hoshikuzu Scat), while the B-side is a cover of Nakajima Miyuki's "kizashi no Season"....
Posted on July 29, 2020 at 23:24. | Released on July 29, 2020
METAFIVE "Environmental" (Download)
Almost 4 years since mini-album "METAHALF", METAFIVE just came back suddenly with a brand new song that features Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius) on main vocals, with Takahashi Yukihiro and Leo Imai also singing along. The band had hinted a return...
Posted on July 24, 2020 at 00:25. | Released on July 24, 2020
Suzuki Masayuki "Ultra Chu Chu Medley" (7")
From his new 40th anniversary album "All Time Rock'n'Roll", here's a 7" of two songs by singer Suzuki Masayuki (aka Martin). Konishi Yasuharu edited the medley on the A-side, and also produced the B-side cover of Little Anthony &...
Posted on July 17, 2020 at 00:54. | Released on July 15, 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.
Pizzicato One "The Night Before: Pizzicato One In Person"
Pizzicato One (Instagram), the solo project of Konishi Yasuharu (of Pizzicato Five), has a first live album being released! Made from recordings of shows held at Billboard Live Tokyo and Osaka in October 2019, it features Konishi personally singing his...
Posted on June 13, 2020 at 23:30. | Released on June 24, 2020
Cinema and Boy CQ "The Picture Show of Chronic Deja Vu"
Cinema and Boy CQ (named denei to shōnen CQ in Japanese) is a boy-girl idol duo with a cinematic approach, singing music of imaginary movie soundtracks. Their 2nd album has just been released. Check out the music videos below. There's...
Posted on June 8, 2020 at 21:02. | Released on June 8, 2020
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.
Tomoyuki Tanaka "Change the World Again (feat. Takano Hiroshi & Harada Ikuko)" (Download)
Tomoyuki Tanaka (aka FPM) has just released a 2nd single under his own name, following the recent "Alone". This new song features vocals by Takano Hiroshi and Harada Ikuko (clammbon). It's available digitally, but first be sure to check...
Posted on May 13, 2020 at 23:37. | Released on May 13, 2020
Various Artists "Playwright Library of Sounds -solo works at home- vol.1" & "vol.2" (Download)
Japanese jazz label Playwright has just released two compilations worth of demos and home recordings by related musicians. Label director Taniguchi Keisuke explained that feeling privileged to often be the first to hear artist demos (whether programmed, rehearsal recordings or...
Posted on May 9, 2020 at 14:30. | Released on May 9, 2020
Watauchi Katsuyuki "almost green"
Singer-songwriter Watauchi Katsuyuki has just released a brand new album. It was recorded with musicians who played with him back when he did his solo debut (around 1994), such as guitarist Aoki Takaaki, bassist Ori Makoto (aka Francis, ex-The Collectors)...
Posted on May 3, 2020 at 21:36. | Released on April 4, 2020
Kaede "ima no watashi wa kawaritsuzukete ano koro no watashi de irareteru." (12")
Kaede (Negicco)'s 1st full-length solo album, released on CD on the first day of 2020, has just been released on vinyl! The album contains songs in collaboration with artists such as Skirt, Horigome Yasuyuki (ex-Kirinji), Itō Gorō (naomi & goro),...
Posted on April 29, 2020 at 18:16. | Released on April 28, 2020
Takaoka Saki "Sunny" (7")
This new single of singer Takaoka Saki is a cover of Bobby Hebb's classic "Sunny". The A-side is sung in Japanese with a downtempo dub style, while the B-side has a bossa nova style using a rhythm box and...
Posted on April 27, 2020 at 13:51. | Released on April 24, 2020
Tomoyuki Tanaka "Alone"
Tomoyuki Tanaka (aka FPM) has a new track out now, the first released under his real name! The music was co-written and co-arranged by Nakamura Hiroshi (i-dep). The song uses samples of people speaking the word "alone" that he...
Posted on April 25, 2020 at 19:36. | 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
Okamura Yasuyuki "Misao"
Singer-songwriter Okamura Yasuyuki has a new album out now! Included is "MacGuffin", a collaboration with Rhymester previously released digitally and as a 12" single, and "Step Up Love", a duet with Daoko. Other guests include Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius, Metafive) who...
Posted on April 4, 2020 at 16:03. | Released on April 1, 2020
Yukihiro Fukutomi "It's About Time" (12")
Fukutomi Yukihiro has a new 12" out now. Included are "It's About Time", a track from the 1994 CD compilation "Remix Trax vol.6 - Japanese New Vibes", as well as two songs from his 2nd album "Post" (1993). This...
Posted on April 4, 2020 at 14:55. | Released on March 20, 2020
Ohtaki Eiichi "Happy Ending"
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of his debut, this new release of Ohtaki Eiichi works collects mainly songs written for TV drama since the 90's, all of which are previously unreleased! The album is available in a limited edition which has...
Posted on March 21, 2020 at 15:19. | Released on March 21, 2020
Tokyo Beethoven "Colorful Tokyo feat. Momo / uchuu wa taihen da! feat. Momo" (7")
Tokyo Beethoven is the new project of Tanaka Tomoyuki (FPM) with art director Chihara Tetsuya (of design agency Lemonlife). Their first release is a 7" single of two songs which both feature singer Momo of Charan-Po-Rantan. Check out the...
Posted on March 2, 2020 at 22:36. | Released on March 4, 2020
Kaede "ima no watashi wa kawaritsuzukete ano koro no watashi de irareteru."
Kaede (Negicco) has a 1st full-length solo album that has just been released on New Year's Day! The album has collaborations with artists such as Skirt, Horigome Yasuyuki (ex-Kirinji), Itō Gorō (naomi & goro), Oh shu, Dōjima Kōhei, Wada Shō...
Posted on January 1, 2020 at 23:12. | Released on January 1, 2020
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.
Kinoco Hotel "Nude / tenmado" (7"), "ai no awa / yukimachi Elegy" (7")
Here come two new 7" cuts from a href="http://kinocohotel.org/" target="_blank">Kinoco Hotel's latest album "Marianne no ōgi" in which the band added some dance music colors that contrast with its signature garage rock style. Kinoco Hotel are about to finish...
Posted on September 22, 2019 at 11:13. | Released on September 25, 2019
Takahashi Yukihiro "Yukihiro Takahashi Live 2018 Saravah Saravah!" (CD+DVD, 2x12")
This is a live album of Takahashi Yukihiro, of a show that followed the release of album "Saravah Saravah!" (the 40th anniversary remake of debut album "Saravah!"). The show, which was held on November 24, 2018 at Tokyo International Forum...
Posted on August 18, 2019 at 15:32. | Released on August 21, 2019
Popuri "Popuri to fuwafuwa monogatari"
Popuri (also spelt Pot-Pourri) is a unit formed of Reina and Sasaki Atsushi (SoundCloud) (also of Melting Holidays). Both compose and perform the music, with Reina singing lead vocals. While their visuals consist of cute illustrations of a girl and...
Posted on April 29, 2019 at 22:39. | Released on April 24, 2019
Sunaga t experience "Suomenlinna"
Sunaga t experience, the jazz project of DJ Sunaga Tatsuo, has a brand new 6th album being released! It's the follow-up to 2015 album "STE". Featured musicians include Jukka Eskola, Timo Lassy and Teppo Mäkynen (all three of Five Corners...
Posted on April 23, 2019 at 22:17. | Released on April 24, 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
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
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
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
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
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
Cornelius "NHK 'Design Ah' 3"
A 3rd soundtrack album for NHK's popular educational TV program "Design Ah" (「デザインあ」) has just been released. As usual all the music is by Cornelius! Featured are vocals by Chocolat, Ohno Yumiko (Buffalo Daughter), Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Leo Imai (Metafive),...
Posted on July 25, 2018 at 23:04. | Released on July 18, 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
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
The Beatniks "Exitentialist A Xie Xie"
The Beatniks, the unit of Takahashi Yukihiro (YMO, Metafive) and Suzuki Keiichi (The Moonriders), is about to release a 5th album! "Exitentialist A Xie Xie" is the follow-up to "Last Train To Exitown". Included are 10 songs with sounds that...
Posted on April 30, 2018 at 20:37. | Released on May 9, 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
Toshiyuki Yasuda "Breaking the Silence (Version 10.3.3)"
Toshiyuki Yasuda has a brand new album out now! This is his 6th album, the follow-up to "Nameless God's Blue" (2015), although this time he used a completely new process to produce music which he calls "Version Up Music". Started...
Posted on January 25, 2018 at 22:01. | Released on January 24, 2018
Takkyu Ishino "Takkyu Ishino Works 1983-2017"
Takkyu Ishino (Denki Groove), who just turned 50 on December 26, is releasing an box set of eight CDs! This includes a lot of his works except his solo original albums and Denki Groove original songs. This sums up to...
Posted on January 6, 2018 at 00:23. | Released on January 24, 2018
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
Hikashu "ANGURI In the style of unlanding"
Veteran new wave band Hikashu has a brand new album out now! We've lost count but they say it's their 23rd..! The album was recorded in New York. Guest musicians are Mori Ikue, Chris Pitsiokos, Fubuki Yukie, Afrirampo and Inoue...
Posted on October 13, 2017 at 00:13. | Released on October 10, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau."
Nomiya Maki's new album is coming this month, and this time she sings Shibuya-kei standards that share a winter theme. Included are duets with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Watanabe Marina, Takano Hiroshi and Suzuki Masayuki, with also chorus by...
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 21:11. | Released on October 18, 2017
"'Zen and Bones' Original Soundtrack"
"Zen and Bones" is a documentary film directed by Nakamura Takayuki ("Yokohama Mary") about Japanese-American Buddhist priest Henry Mittwer. This soundtrack features music by many artists including Nomiya Maki, Comoesta Yaegashi, Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Kishino You-ichi (La veuve...
Posted on September 17, 2017 at 23:51. | Released on September 20, 2017
Bank "Time / Himitsu" (7")
New wave band BANK has a new 7" out now! Check out their new songs of a dubby mellow 80's feel. BANK is a band that features singer Nakamura Dai (ex-Arch), drummer Suzuki Bō, bassist Hirami Fumio (ex-Love Tambourines),...
Posted on September 16, 2017 at 22:20. | Released on September 16, 2017
Various Artists "Ace 2", "Ace ep" (7"x2)
Konishi Yasuharu compiles another CD from Sony's J-Pop hit catalog, consisting of songs that have not been released on 7". This follows the release of "Ace" last February that was the starting point to the release of several 7" singles...
Posted on September 12, 2017 at 23:20. | Released on September 13, 2017
Cutemen "Exhibition Of Love & Desire"
Cutemen, the techno unit of CMJK (early Denki Groove) and singer Picorin, has a new album being released! This is the follow-up to "Humanity" (2016) which marked their 25th anniversary. This new album's limited edition comes with a bonus disc...
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 20:08. | Released on September 6, 2017
Toshiyuki Yasuda "Landfall" (Download)
Toshiyuki Yasuda has a new single out now digitally! This comes in advance of a 6th album of which all details have yet to be announced. Check out these three different versions of "Landfall", available on iTunes, Apple Music,...
Posted on August 26, 2017 at 01:08. | Released on August 25, 2017
Wednesday Campanella "Nippon Budokan kouen ~hakkaku uchuu~" (Blu-ray)
It's hard to believe that this is the first video release by Wednesday Campanella (aka suiyoubi no Campanella), known for their high-energy shows that have a good dose of surprise! This Blu-ray is of a live show held at famous...
Posted on July 31, 2017 at 23:16. | 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
Wakita Monari "I'm with you" (CD+7")
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) has a 3rd single being released this week, ahead of a 1st solo album to come later on July 26! The new single's title song is a house tune written and produced by Fukutomi Yukihiro! Mellow jazz...
Posted on June 17, 2017 at 10:57. | Released on June 21, 2017
Agata Morio & Hachimitsu Pie "Baby-lon"
Hachimitsu Pie was a band formed in the early 70's by singer Agata Morio and Suzuki Keiichi, a few years after which Morio went on with his solo career while several others moved on to become Moonriders. Some 45 years...
Posted on April 25, 2017 at 23:17. | Released on April 26, 2017
Various Artists "Toy Chara Pop Collection Vol.1~3 Selected by DJ Fukutake"
DJ Fukutake, who selected the great "Yava-kayō" mix CD series, is back with this trio of compilations under a "Toy Character Pop" theme! Respectively subtitled "Hero & Hit", "Fancy & Kawaii" and "Video Game", each compilation is filled with Shōwa-era...
Posted on April 1, 2017 at 22:26. | Released on March 22, 2017
Various Artists "Ace", Pizzicato Five "couples ep" (7"), "Bellissima! ep" (7")
Konishi Yasuharu supervises a new 7" single project on the Great Tracks label (Sony). First of all comes a compilation called "Ace", named after monthly event (((((((A))))))) held at Organ bar the 3rd Friday of each month. Having been playing...
Posted on February 16, 2017 at 23:30. | Released on February 22, 2017
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
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
Various Artists "Aloha Exotica"
Yasuda Toshiyuki, Jazztronik and Tamura Genichi (Kirinji, Little Tempo) cover famous Hawaiian and exotica songs in this new compilation that includes collaborations with Sandii, Lica, Takeda Kaori, cellist Mizoguchi Hajime, and Hawaiian singer Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole. Perfect for summer! Hear samples...
Posted on July 20, 2016 at 22:27. | Released on July 20, 2016
suiyoubi no Campanella "UMA"
There's a brand new album by suiyōbi no Campanella coming this week, with a title that stands for "Unidentified Mysterious Animal"! It's their first major album. Included is Red Bull collaboration song "Chupacabra", glasses chain store Zoff tie-up "Yeti", and...
Posted on June 21, 2016 at 00:31. | Released on June 22, 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
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
Metafive "Meta"
Happy New Year 2016!!! Here we go! Metafive finally have a first original album coming! Metafive is an all-star band featuring Takahashi Yukihiro (YMO), Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Towa Tei, Sunahara Yoshinori, Gondō Tomohiko and Leo Imai. All songs are brand...
Posted on January 1, 2016 at 12:40. | Released on January 13, 2016
Ryoma Maeda & Romantic Suiciders "Synthesizer Garage Punk Band"
Ryoma Maeda & Romantic Suiciders has a first album out now! Ryoma Maeda (aka milch of source, producer for EeL) is joined by keyboardist Hajimetal (daredemo Esper) and drummer Shigeyuki Kimura (arakajime kimerareta koibitotachi e) for this unique synthesizer garage...
Posted on November 5, 2015 at 22:25. | Released on October 21, 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
Yano Akiko "Welcome to Jupiter"
Yano Akiko has a brand new album out now! With a concept of "adult techno music", this time she has the support of young trackmakers such as tofubeats, Seiho (Sugar's Campaign), Azuma Hitomi, Tomita Keiichi (Tomita Lab), Fukasawa Hideyuki and...
Posted on September 17, 2015 at 23:55. | Released on September 16, 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
petit milady "cheri*cheri? milady!!"
Follow-up to last year's "petit miladear", here's a 2nd album by unit petit milady of voice actresses Yuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana. Once again most songs are produced by Satō Seiki (microstar). The album comes in 3 different editions. Limited...
Posted on May 23, 2015 at 17:31. | Released on May 13, 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
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
Hosono Haruomi "Hosono Haruomi x Sakamoto Ryuichi at EX Theater Roppongi 2013.12.21" (Blu-ray/DVD)
A live collaboration show of Hosono Haruomi and Sakamoto Ryūichi (both of Yellow Magic Orchestra) has been released on Blu-ray and DVD. The show was held on December 21, 2013 at EX Theater Roppongi, and featured appearances of Oyamada Keigo...
Posted on March 21, 2015 at 00:27. | Released on March 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
Tarte Tatin "Pro Ducer"
Here's a 4-song EP by Tarte Tatin, this time produced by Tanaka Takashi (of indie bands shinkou-houkou and koto no yūbe). Tarte Tatin is currently formed of Aoi and Yurie, after member Yuki quit early this year for health reasons....
Posted on February 8, 2015 at 22:38. | Released on February 4, 2015
Toshiyuki Yasuda "Nameless God's Blue"
Yasuda Toshiyuki has a new solo album coming this week! 5 years after his previous, "Children's Songs 2050" (2009), this time he creates music using acoustic piano and clean vocals (mainly his own). Recorded in Tokyo, Okinawa and Milano, this...
Posted on February 2, 2015 at 21:59. | Released on February 4, 2015
Various Artists "Women's Liberation"
This is an album of covers of Japanese songs from the 60's to the early 70's, here sung with translated English lyrics! Both the originals and the covers were performed by Japanese women, completing the theme of this compilation. Vocalists...
Posted on January 19, 2015 at 21:32. | Released on January 7, 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.
The Lady Spade "Reverse Shaped Black Heart"
The Lady Spade (sono na wa Spade) have a 2nd album coming! This is their first with current singer ATG (aka AliceToGizelle). Also their sound is now electro and danceable with an amount of rap. Songs range from happy sweets...
Posted on November 23, 2014 at 10:18. | Released on November 26, 2014
Nomiya Maki "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards"
A waterfall of events led Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) and producer Sakaguchi Osamu (a soundtrack producer who first got in touch with Maki in the Portable Rock days) to start a project that re-introduces Shibuya-kei hit songs and important influences...
Posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:26. | Released on November 12, 2014
Various Artists "Twilight Time"
This compilation from Grand Gallery consists of covers of Japanese city pop hit songs from the 70's and 80's. Featured are artists including Nakatsuka Takeshi, hitomitoi, Sokabe Keiichi, Kimyō Reitarō, Hicksville and more. Many of the songs are brand new...
Posted on November 4, 2014 at 22:44. | Released on October 29, 2014
Takahashi Yukihiro & Metafive "Split Spirit" (Download)
After live album "Techno Recital", here comes a brand new song by Takahashi Yukihiro & Metafive (Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Towa Tei, Sunahara Yoshinori, Gondō Tomohiko and Leo Imai). This song is the ending theme for movie "Ghost In The Shell...
Posted on September 3, 2014 at 22:53. | Released on September 3, 2014
Towa Tei "94-14", "94-14 Covers"
Towa Tei continues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his solo career. Following remix collection "Towa Tei 94-14 Remix" released in July, here comes greatest hits album "94-14" and best covers album "94-14 Covers". The latter includes 6 brand new...
Posted on August 24, 2014 at 13:16. | Released on September 3, 2014
Kirinji "11"
After the Horigome brothers split-up Kirinji last year after the release of "Ten", the younger brother (Yasuyuki) went to start a solo career, but the older one (Takaki) recruited new members to continue Kirinji. Here's their first album of the...
Posted on August 3, 2014 at 18:14. | Released on August 6, 2014
