Childish Tones "Country Girl" (7")
Childish Tones (Twitter), band which plays rock'n'roll using only toy instruments, has a new single being released on 7"! This follows the album "God Bless The Girls" which featured singer Beni Usakura. This time the songs are sung by...
Posted on February 11, 2021 at 21:15. | Released on February 26, 2021
"Readymade mirai no ongaku Series - CD Book hen 02 'neko mo shakushi mo Twist'" (CD+Book)
Started in January, here's the 2nd of the "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") monthly CD+Book series supervised by Konishi Yasuharu! This time the CD is an updated edition of a limited edition mix tape of twist tunes, while...
Posted on February 5, 2021 at 20:29. | Released on February 26, 2021
The Highmarts "It's All Over Now" (7")
The Highmarts (Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter) have recently released a brand new 7" single. The title song "It's All Over Now" is the theme song of imaginary movie "Sukeban Baby" by Rockin' Jelly Bean who illustrated the jacket. The B-side is...
Posted on February 3, 2021 at 23:58. | Released in December 2020
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.
The Shaolin Brothers "Hyo-tan Rhapsody"
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers (known in Japanese as Shaolin kyōdai) has just released an album! This follows the release of 7" singles "Pandafull World" and "koi no Dial 6700 / tasogare Wo Ai Ni". The songs "Pandafull World" and...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 14:35. | Released on December 16, 2020
Agata Morio "Urashima 2020"
Singer Agata Morio has just released this month a 10th yearly album of a project that he had started in 2010. This is also said to be the last under his name "Agata Morio", which is likely to mark his...
Posted on December 25, 2020 at 23:12. | Released on December 12, 2020
Cornelius "Music For Parco" (12")
Cornelius has just released a new 12" of original BGM made for the Shibuya Parco department store which reopened in November 2019 after being rebuilt. Along with seasonal jingles are included information and closing time tracks. The white color vinyl...
Posted on December 4, 2020 at 21:45. | Released on December 2, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.11
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 November 25, 2020 at 23:58.
Posted on November 18, 2020 at 23:42. | Event held on Saturday November 28, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
Salome no Kuchibiru "Sound of Salome Mizuno Satoshi hen", "Sound of Salome Tachibana Kyōko hen"
Kayō rock group Salome no Kuchibiru, who are about to disband after 18 years of history, are releasing two compilations of their favorite songs. Each contains 16 songs, selected respectively by leader Mizuno Satoshi and singer Tachibana Kyōko. Also be...
Posted on November 8, 2020 at 21:14. | Released on November 4, 2020
fox capture plan "Discovery"
Piano-led jazz-rock instrumental trio fox capture plan has just released a brand new album! This is their 8th album, the follow-up to "Capturism" (2018). Included are the songs "yakan kōro" and "New Era", both first released digitally last year, as...
Posted on November 4, 2020 at 21:14. | Released on November 4, 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.
Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura "God Bless the Girls" (CD/10")
Childish Tones (Twitter) has just released a full-length album, titled "God Bless the Girls", and it's the first featuring singer Beni Usakura (Twitter, Instagram)! Following the early-bird cassette edition released for Cassette Store Day, here it comes on CD and...
Posted on October 28, 2020 at 23:59. | Released on October 28, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.10
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 October 28, 2020 at 21:52.
Posted on September 17, 2020 at 13:21. | Event held on Monday September 21, 2020 at 14:00 (JST)
Nickey "Le Soleil est Solitaire", "Love x Hurts"
Nickey, the singer of punk band Nickey & The Warriors formed in 1984, has just released a new EP. Included are two duets with Morishige Jūichi: title song "Le Soleil est Solitaire" and "All Kids Love Rock and Roll". This...
Posted on September 6, 2020 at 11:50. | Released on September 4, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.8
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 August 26, 2020 at 21:40.
The Pen Friend Club "In Concert"
The Pen Friend Club have a new album coming (their 7th!), and it's their first-ever live album! It's also the last release featuring their previous singer Fujimoto Yuka. The album contains songs from two recent shows: one held in December...
Posted on August 24, 2020 at 23:40. | Released on September 23, 2020
Denki Groove "Set you Free" (Download)
Denki Groove has suddenly released a brand new song today, following a premiere of its music video at the Fuji Rock Festival online edition the night before. The song features guitar by Yoshida Satoshi and extra production by Ushio...
Posted on August 24, 2020 at 22:26. | Released on August 24, 2020
The High "Affair"
The High is a '60s-influenced rock band, and they're now releasing a 3rd album which follows album "Welcome To The Next World" (2017). Guest musicians are Mashiro Megumi (Hicksville) on chorus and Ookubo Kei (Urbangarde) on keyboards. Sally Kubota directed...
Posted on August 23, 2020 at 20:14. | Released on August 26, 2020
Posted on August 7, 2020 at 22:33. | Event held on Saturday August 15, 2020 at 22:00 (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
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
Salome no Kuchibiru "Religion"
Having announced that they will be disbanding in 2020, after 17 years of activity, here comes the 5th and last album of kayō rock group Salome no Kuchibiru (aka Salome Lips). A message from the members can be found here...
Posted on July 21, 2020 at 22:02. | Released on July 22, 2020
tsukuyomi "At the Next Corner"
Instrumental jazz unit tsukuyomi, led by saxophonist yo_zo_, has just released a new 3rd album! The songs come in a great variety, some led by saxophone and others by violin or piano, all with a general calm and pleasant feel...
Posted on June 28, 2020 at 23:59. | Released on June 24, 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.
fox capture plan "Curtain Call feat.Yosh (Survive Said The Prophet)"
Piano-led jazz-rock instrumental trio fox capture plan has a brand new single coming on May 13, featuring singer Yosh from rock band Survive Said The Prophet. Included are brand new collaboration song "Curtain Call", a cover of Survive Said The...
Posted on May 11, 2020 at 21:02. | Released on May 13, 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.
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
Scha Dara Parr "shin Scha Dara daisakusen"
About to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut (album "Scha Dara daisakusen" was released on May 5, 1990), Scha Dara Parr are back with a brand new full-length album! It's been 5 years since album "1212" (2015), after which...
Posted on April 5, 2020 at 17:38. | Released on April 8, 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
The Pen Friend Club "Along Comes Mary / Love Can Go The Distance"
The Pen Friend Club, a band of eight that takes inspiration from 60's west coast rock, has a brand new single to be released this week! This is actually their last release featuring Fujimoto Yuka who had been the...
Posted on March 8, 2020 at 12:14. | Released on March 11, 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
Various Artists "Silent Running"
This is a compilation from label Hello From The Gutter founded in 2001, to celebrate a total of 50 releases. Featured are recent songs by various bands including Learners, Childish Tones feat. Usakura Beni (Avandoned) (with a cover of Jane...
Posted on January 30, 2020 at 23:18. | Released on January 15, 2020
Pollyanna "pantomime"
Pollyanna, a band described as rocking Shibuya-kei, has a first full-length album out now! Formed in 2014, they previously released two mini-albums. The song "Life" was arranged by Tsujibayashi Miho. Check out the music video for title song "pantomime" below...
Posted on January 29, 2020 at 22:53. | Released on January 29, 2020
Pico Pico Revolution "Lucky Lucky Happy!"
Idol group Pico Pico Revolution from Toyama prefecture, easily recognized by that they always carry their "pico pico hammers", has a new 5th single out now! Title track "Lucky Lucky Happy!" has music written and produced by Dr.Usui ((M)otocompo)....
Posted on January 24, 2020 at 00:11. | Released on January 22, 2020
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.
Negicco "Negicco 2003~2012 Best" (2x12")
The final release of Negicco's vinyl re-issue project is their first full-length album, first released on CD in 2012 and bringing together 18 of their best songs since their 2003 debut. To fit everything, it needed to be made into...
Posted on November 3, 2019 at 22:54. | Released on November 5, 2019
Record Day 2019
Record Day 2019, an initiative of Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is being held this Sunday November 3rd (the same day as Japan's "Culture Day" national holiday). Items are available in stores and online from that date. Below is a...
Posted on November 3, 2019 at 01:12. | Released on November 3, 2019
The Shaolin Brothers "koi no Dial 6700 / tasogare Wo Ai Ni" (7")
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers' new 7" single is a rock'n'roll cover of FInger 5's hit song "koi no Dial 6700", with on the flip side a new original in duet with Nomiya Maki! This follows a recent single...
Posted on October 28, 2019 at 23:14. | Released on October 30, 2019
YMCK "Family Circus"
YMCK has a brand new 8th album being released, this time with a "circus" theme! Always moving on with their sound while keeping their 8-bit style, this time they added hints of classical music, electro swing and American rock. The...
Posted on October 17, 2019 at 23:25. | Released on November 4, 2019
Hoshino Michiru "Moonlight Confessions (tsuki ga kirei desune)"
Hoshino Michiru, who this year started her own label and released 4-song EP "gyakkō", is now back with a new full-length album! It's also her first album in her singer-songwriter style, which puts the focus on gentle and beautiful melodies....
Posted on October 13, 2019 at 13:16. | Released on October 23, 2019
Ursula 1000 "Esoterique"
New York producer Ursula 1000 (aka Alex Gimeno) has a brand new album out now! Featured are collaborations with Qypthone's Ookawara Izumi and Nakatsuka Takeshi, The Gentle People, Ferd Schneider (The B-52s), Isabelle Antena, Loredana Grimaudo (Swingrowers), and remixes by...
Posted on October 5, 2019 at 18:27. | Released on October 1, 2019
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
Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura "Make Her Mine" (7")
Childish Tones (Twitter), band that plays rock'n'roll with just toy instruments, has a new 7" in collaboration with Beni Usakura (of Avandoned). The previous ("Cruel To Be Kind / There She Goes") quickly sold out. This time are covers...
Posted on September 19, 2019 at 20:30. | Released on September 25, 2019
Miho Keitaro & His Group "Sound Poesy 'Sachio'" (12")
This rare and unique album of pianist and composer Miho Keitarō is getting a first ever vinyl re-issue. "Sound Poesy 'Sachio'" is an album first released in 1969, taking inspiration from a close friend of Miho, Paris-born car racer Fujisawa...
Posted on September 13, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on September 11, 2019
Tokyo Killer "Boom Go!!"
Tokyo Killer, the instrumental rock band led by guitarist Keme (also of Kinoco Hotel), has a 2nd album being released! Included are covers of The Ventures' "Fuzzy and Wild" and Hot Butter's synth-pop classic "Popcorn", as well as many originals....
Posted on September 4, 2019 at 22:51. | Released on September 11, 2019
lyrical school "Be Kind Rewind"
Hip-hop idol group lyrical school is back with a new album, this time on major label Victor! There are songs contributed by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), PES (Rip Slyme), members of Ana, Odd Foot Works, etc. The artwork was done...
Posted on September 2, 2019 at 23:10. | Released on September 11, 2019
kataomoi "Liv Tower"
Band kataomoi is back with a new album titled "Liv Tower". It has been 3 years since previous album "Quiero V.I.P". Check out the teaser clip below, and also the special site for the release. Also, a 7" of "kankyō"...
Posted on September 2, 2019 at 21:46. | Released on September 4, 2019
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
The Shaolin Brothers "Pandafull World / Tokyo Kung-Fu Nite" (7")
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers has a new 7" single being released on July 31! The A-side is original "Pandafull World", while the B-side is a customized cover of The Scooters' hit track "Tokyo Disco Night", renamed "Tokyo King-Fu...
Posted on July 26, 2019 at 23:55. | Released on July 31, 2019
SOLEIL "Lollipop Sixteen"
SOLEIL is back with a 3rd album titled "Lollipop Sixteen", as singer Soleil will be turning 16 just a few days after the release. As with the first two albums, "My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright", the album...
Posted on July 13, 2019 at 23:15. | Released on July 17, 2019
Ultra-Vybe Japanese hit release re-issues
Long-running indie label and distributor Ultra-Vybe has just made available many of the acclaimed releases from its catalog, and priced them down to only ¥1000 (+tax) each! This includes many rarities. Below is a small selection from their Japanese re-issues....
Posted on July 12, 2019 at 23:18. | Released on July 10, 2019
DYGL "Songs of Innocence & Experience"
Rock band DYGL (read Day Glo) have a 2nd album that has just been released. This time with the help of producer Rory Attwell, they aimed for a sound that reminds of the late 60's to 70's. Three of the...
Posted on July 7, 2019 at 23:24. | Released on July 3, 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
Shonen Knife "Sweet Candy Power"
Shonen Knife has a brand new album out now! This is the follow-up to album "Adventure" (2016), since which original member Atsuko also joined back the band. The 10 songs were written by Naoko, and there's one in which drummer...
Posted on June 8, 2019 at 22:18. | Released on June 5, 2019
xiangyu "The First ○○ Picture Book"
xiangyu (Twitter, Instagram) is a newcomer solo female artist who debuted last year. Her music is produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella). Following a few digital releases since October 2018, here comes her first physical mini-album! You can also enjoy...
Posted on May 24, 2019 at 22:27. | Released on May 22, 2019
Magic, Drums & Love "Hurricane Upsetter"
Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love has a brand new album coming this month! The whole was produced by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico). With a base sound of soul/disco, there are felt influences of exotica, city pop...
Posted on May 1, 2019 at 20:25. | Released on May 15, 2019
Various Artists "Sazanami Label 15th Anniversary Sampler Vol.1", "Vol.2"
Sazanami Label, an independant label known for introducing many bands of genres such as garage rock and neo-GS among lots more of variety. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, here are two new very nice priced compilations that cover respectively years...
Posted on April 13, 2019 at 01:05. | 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
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
P.O.P "itsumo Street"
Follow-up to "okkasan ni kiite minai to wakaranai" (2015) and including recent singles "Fresh ni Step", "Kiss me" and "Summer Back Again", here's a brand new 3rd album from P.O.P, group of twin rappers and trackmaker Saitō Ryōji! Also included...
Posted on February 22, 2019 at 22:18. | Released on March 13, 2019
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright" (12")
SOLEIL's 2nd album "SOLEIL is Alright" is being released on vinyl! As it has been with all their recordings and releases so far, this vinyl edition will also be in mono. All of the 12 songs from the album are...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:41. | Released on March 20, 2019
Hoshino Michiru "gyakkou"
Hoshino Michiru, who just started her very own label "yoi Record gaisha" (translates to "Good Record Company") at the end of last year, has a brand new EP being released! Included are three songs of which she wrote the music...
Posted on February 20, 2019 at 22:38. | Released on March 6, 2019
International Playboys "Twenty Twenty / Dry Run" (7")
Members of Inokashira Rangers (on drums, bass, guitar, organ and piano), Wack Wack Rhythm Band (on trumpet and tenor sax), Your Song Is Good (on trombone) and Omoide yarō A team (OYAT) (on trumpet and tenor sax) join forces...
Posted on February 11, 2019 at 15:39. | Released on February 22, 2019
Childish Tones feat. Usakura Beni "Cruel To Be Kind / There She Goes" (7")
Childish Tones (Twitter) is a band that plays rock'n'roll using nothing but toy instruments! This new 7" single is a collaboration with Beni Usakura (of Avandoned). Included are covers of Nick Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind" and The La's' "There...
Posted on February 10, 2019 at 10:58. | Released on February 20, 2019
Natsuki Mari "Co-ro-na / watashi o ikite" (Download)
Natsuki Mari has a new EP now available digitally. Both of the songs have music written by Ōsawa Shinichi (Mondo Grosso), with lyrics written by Yanaka Atsushi (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra) and UA respectively. A live sound arrangement of...
Posted on January 26, 2019 at 22:26. | Released on January 26, 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
lyrical school "Pajama Party / Sharp Pencil feat. Sushiboys"
lyrical school has a brand new single out now on CD and 7". The A-side was co-produced by Ōkubo Junya of band Ana. B-side "Sharp Pencil" features SUSHIBOYS. Check out videos for both songs below,. Another new single is planned...
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 12:46. | Released on December 25, 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.
LUNASUN "Organ Heaven"
Closely following the release of Chikada Haruo's latest solo album "chō jōdan dakara", here comes another one as a brand new unit called LUNASUN also featuring creator OMB. The result is a danceable house music album that contains elements of...
Posted on December 9, 2018 at 00:22. | Released on December 19, 2018
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
The Pen Friend Club "Merry Christmas from The Pen Friend Club"
The Pen Friend Club, a band that takes inspiration from The Beach Boys and Phil Spector (etc.), has just released a "first and last" Christmas album! Included are 15 covers, of songs by Mariah Carey ("All I Want For Christmas...
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 23:27. | Released on November 14, 2018
Negicco "love my 15 years" (Blu-ray)
Negicco's 15th anniversary live show, held at Toki Messe Niigata Convention Center on July 21, 2018, has just been released on Blu-ray. Negicco have an upcoming show titled "relive MY COLOR" to be held on Saturday November 24 at Nakano...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 22:57. | Released on November 6, 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
SOLEIL "Pinky Fluffy" (7") (Re-issue)
SOLEIL's debut 7" "Pinky Fluffy" (2017) which had sold out long ago is being released once again with a different jacket! Recorded when singer Soleil was still 13, both songs have remained non-album tracks. Note that this release doesn't...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 19:16. | Released on November 14, 2018
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
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Easy Riding / I'll Close My Eyes" (7")
Wack Wack Rhythm Band (official Facebook page) has a brand new 7" single out now! A-side "Easy Riding" is a brand new happy-sounding soft rock instrumental, while B-side is a vocal cover of jazz standard "I'll Close My Eyes"....
Posted on October 15, 2018 at 22:34. | Released on October 10, 2018
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright"
SOLEIL, the band fronted by now 15-year-old singer Soleil, has a 2nd album being released very soon! Following the excellent "My Name is SOLEIL" released last March, the new full-length also consists of all original songs with the exception of...
Posted on September 16, 2018 at 23:03. | Released on September 19, 2018
fox capture plan "Capturism"
Piano-led jazz-rock instrumental trio fox capture plan has a 7th original album out now! Included is a self-cover of their theme song for drama series "The Confidenceman JP". Check out the album's special site. A tour will be held in...
Posted on September 11, 2018 at 22:12. | Released on September 5, 2018
Learners "Learners High"
Chabe's rockabilly band Learners is back with a brand new mini album! This includes two new original songs, "Cassis Oolong" and "Take a Trip", as well as covers of The Bangles, Brigitte Bardot, The Looking Glass (in a cover featuring...
Posted on September 11, 2018 at 21:31. | Released on September 12, 2018
P.O.P "Summer Back Again" (Download)
P.O.P, unit formed of twin rappers and trackmaker Saitō Ryōji, has a new digital single out now! "Summer Back Again" has a laid back feel with a rocking chorus. Check it out on iTunes, Spotify, etc. A release part...
Posted on August 22, 2018 at 23:08. | Released on August 22, 2018
Asa-Chang Emerson Kitamura "Debut"
Reggae meets tabla, with tabla-bongo musician Asa-chang and keyboardist Emerson Kitamura who have just released a first album together, appropriately titled "Debut". Included are several covers (see tracklist) plus an original that features singer Chieko Beauty. Tabla-bongo is an original...
Posted on July 28, 2018 at 16:36. | Released on July 27, 2018
BTB tokko "Sweet Machine"
Talkbox musician BTB (Pan Pacific Playa, ex-Luvraw & BTB) is back as "BTB tokkō" (tokkō = 特効 = special effects) with a new album titled "Sweet Machine". Expect mellow urban summer sounds! This follows recent single "I'll Be Around" (2018)...
Posted on July 10, 2018 at 21:30. | Released on July 11, 2018
Denki Groove "Tropical Love Tour 2017" (Blu-ray/DVD)
The final show from Denki Groove's latest tour, "Tropical Love Tour 2017", is being released on Blu-ray and DVD! The show was held on March 25, 2017 at Zepp Tokyo. The limited editions include two CDs of the entire show's...
Posted on June 11, 2018 at 22:25. | Released on June 20, 2018
lyrical school "World's End"
Idol rap group lyrical school has a brand new album being released this month! The song "toko Nuts Return" has music written & arranged by Shinco (Scha Dara Parr) and lyrics by Bose (Scha Dara Parr) and Kaseki Cider. There...
Posted on June 10, 2018 at 21:27. | Released on June 19, 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
TRI4TH "Hybrid Roots"
Danceable instrumental jazz band TRI4TH has released a new album that consists of covers of songs that make up their roots. Two self-covers are also included. A tour will be held starting on June 1st at Daikanyama Unit. Also, TRI4TH...
Posted on May 26, 2018 at 23:55. | 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
