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.
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
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.
Virtualboys x Breezesquad "Chico Ficticio" (Download)
Virtualboys (Soundcloud), the 8-bit chiptune duo of Imai Kentaro (The Aprils, CTO LAB.) and Asahi Taichi (Genius), collaborates with Fukuoka bitpop artist Breezesquad for this new delightful EP of two songs and two remixes! It's available digitally on iTunes,...
Posted on April 20, 2020 at 23:58. | Released on April 15, 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
Dé Dé Mouse "Hello My Friend" (Download)
DÉ DÉ MOUSE has just released a brand new EP digitally! This EP was actually inspired by a friend of his from China who mentioned they wanted something to focus their feelings on. DÉ DÉ MOUSE got to work...
Posted on April 4, 2020 at 16:46. | Released on April 3, 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
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
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.
Coastlines "East Coast / West Coast" (7")
Following their self-titled album "Coastlines" (2019), here come two new songs by Coastlines (Bandcamp), the instrumental unit of DJ/producer Masanori Ikeda (aka Mansfield) and keyboardist Kaneko Takumi (of cro-magnon). The songs are being released on 7". "'East Coast' with...
Posted on March 21, 2020 at 13:36. | Released on March 25, 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
Reina Nosa "Eccentric Western Exercise" (Download)
Here's another new song from Nosa Reina's upcoming album "Sports and Distractions" (Japanese title "Sports to kibarashi"). The artwork was illustrated by Makita Namina. This is the third song released so far, following "Pink Delusional Aquarium" and "City Blue...
Posted on February 8, 2020 at 22:20. | Released on February 8, 2020
xiangyu "Hiji No Biribiri" (Download)
xiangyu (Twitter, Instagram) has a new song out now digitally, as well as an accompanying music video! Titled "Hiji No Biribiri", she raps about that funny buzz (biribiri) feeling you get in your forearm when you hit your elbow...
Posted on January 25, 2020 at 22:54. | Released on January 24, 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.
Mira Parameter "Phantasmagoria" (Download)
Here's one that slipped through from the end of 2019. Singer-songwriter Mira Parameter released a brand new song titled "Phantasmagoria". Song description (from Facebook): One spring day, there was an exceptionally awesome cherry blossom tree in the graveyard. I'm...
Posted on January 15, 2020 at 01:03. | Released on December 3, 2019
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
Blue Peppers "Believe in Love" (Download/7")
Good-music duo Blue Peppers, formed of Fukuda Naoki and Inoue Kaoru, has a new single with a city pop vibe out now digitally and coming on 7" at the end of January. The B-side "Marine Snow no toshi" is a...
Posted on December 31, 2019 at 17:26. | Released on December 12, 2019
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.
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
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.
Kai "Paper Diamond"
Singer Kai has a 2nd solo mini-album out now! It's entirely produced by Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders, Controversial Spark, No Lie-Sense), and includes three new originals written by himself, plus covers of ones he wrote for Nomiya Maki ("onna tomodachi",...
Posted on December 11, 2019 at 00:17. | Released on December 7, 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
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
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
Hajime Tachibana & Low Powers "lowpowers with the friends" (Download)
Hajime Tachibana & Low Powers, initially formed in 1997, have been back on stage since about last year, and here comes a brand new album! The band's current line-up consists for former members Tachibana Hajime and eri, with Ohno Yumiko...
Posted on October 26, 2019 at 00:06. | Released on October 25, 2019
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys "The man who calls bliss."
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys (aka OLB), the band led by Kubota Shingo (ex-8 1/2, and one of the original "Stardust Brothers"), has a 3rd album about to be released! "The man who calls bliss." is the follow-up to...
Posted on October 22, 2019 at 22:45. | Released on October 25, 2019
Tsujibayashi Miho "ombre"
Singer-songwriter Tsujibayashi Miho (Twitter) has a 2nd album just about to be released! "ombre" is the follow-up to "Clarté" (2016). Included is a re-arranged band version of "Écran Le Blanc", song that was featured in Nintendo Switch game "Taiko no...
Posted on September 12, 2019 at 00:16. | Released on September 16, 2019
Hosono Haruomi "Hosono Haruomi compiled by Hoshino Gen"
This is a greatest hits album of Hosono Haruomi works, including his solo music and also Happy End and Yellow Magic Orchestra. This first release, which comes as a 2-CD or 3-LP set of 38 songs, was compiled by singer-songwriter...
Posted on August 29, 2019 at 22:01. | Released on August 28, 2019
Halfby "kurikaesu feat. Oh shu" (7")
This new 7" by Halfby is a cut from latest album "Last Aloha" (2018), of the song "kurikaesu" which featured singer Oh shu. The B-side is a brand new remix by old Second Royal labelmate Handsomeboy Technique. A release...
Posted on August 28, 2019 at 22:23. | Released on August 28, 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
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
Cornelius "Sauna Sukisugi" (Download)
Cornelius has a new song out now digitally! Titled "Sauna sukisugi", it's the theme song of a TV series titled "Sa dō", a live-action adaptation of the sauna-themed manga of the same name. Some Cornelius physical releases ("Mellow Waves...
Posted on July 26, 2019 at 22:31. | Released on July 26, 2019
Wakita Monari "Right Here"
Wakita Monari has a 3rd album being released at the end of July! With Arai Toshiya (Count Joke) as the main producer and songwriter of several tracks, the album also includes latest single "Espadrille de tsukamaete" that has music written...
Posted on July 24, 2019 at 23:16. | Released on July 31, 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
Maika Loubté "Mountaintop" (Download)
Maika Loubté has a new song available digitally. "Mountaintop" has been a live favorite for about two years I believe, and it's finally here for all ears. It has also been announced that a new album titled "Closer" will...
Posted on June 8, 2019 at 21:05. | Released on June 7, 2019
Kaji Hideki "Goth Romance"
Kaji Hideki has a brand new album being released! With the title "Goth Romance", he revisits his early music days and also invites a whole lot of friends to participate. The album is produced by Horie Hirohisa (Neil and Iraiza),...
Posted on June 5, 2019 at 00:04. | Released on June 5, 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
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
Lullatone "Music for Museum Gift Shops"
Nagoya-based unit Lullatone has already been around for 20 years (when counting their early days)! It seems like it was the right time to revisit their vast repertory, as does this 52-song album of almost 2½ hours. All songs were...
Posted on March 30, 2019 at 13:32. | Released on March 22, 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
MANON "Winter Lil Life feat. Sleet Mage" (Download)
Fukuoka-based teenage model & singer MANON (Instagram) who just turned 17 recently has a brand new song out today digitally! "Winter Lil Life" is as usual produced by Yuppa (HNC), and it features young Hokkaido rapper Sleet Mage (YouTube...
Posted on February 22, 2019 at 20:53. | Released on February 22, 2019
ammakasie noka "Little Ghost House"
ammakasie noka is a unit featuring songwriter Mayutan. This new album has a conceptual story of two twin sisters in a deep forest, the elder is a ghost and the younger one who became a witch. The music is made...
Posted on January 31, 2019 at 00:01. | Released on January 30, 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.
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
Vacation Three "One"
Vacation Three is the band of Nakamura Dai (BANK, NUBACK, ex-Arch), saxophonist Nakamoto Kōichiro (Wack Wack Rhythm Band) and percussionist Okyon. After having performed many shows since they got together about 2 years ago, here comes a first album of...
Posted on November 7, 2018 at 23:15. | Released on November 7, 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
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
Halfby "Last Aloha"
Halfby is releasing a brand new album, 3 years after the excellent "Innn Hawaii" (2015). This 6th album features collaborations with Oh shu, Takai Kōki (Ahh! Folly Jet), Morino Yoshitaka (Handsomeboy Technique), Homecomings and Kikuchi Hitoshi (ex-Hotel Mexico). This is...
Posted on August 19, 2018 at 16:05. | Released on September 5, 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
"'Be My Baby' Shindo Mitsuo Retrospective" (Book)
Shindō Mitsuo has been active as a prolific art director since the 80's, creating countless CD, record and poster artworks for Japanese artists of all kinds including many of the Shibuya-kei scene such as Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Cornelius,...
Posted on July 22, 2018 at 20:10. | Released on July 24, 2018
Neil and Iraiza "Timeless Melodies" (10")
Neil and Iraiza, the band of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Horie Hirohisa (The Cornelius Group, etc.), released last December a new album titled "Timeless Melodies". It is now being released on 10" vinyl! Neil and Iraiza "Timeless...
Posted on July 18, 2018 at 22:56. | Released on August 22, 2018
Soleil "My Name is SOLEIL" (12")
The first album of 60's sound band SOLEIL (official Twitter) is being released on vinyl! SOLEIL is the band of 14-year-old singer Soleil (who will soon turn 15!), bassist and producer Sally Kubota (Sally Soul Stew, ex-The Phantom Gift, Les...
Posted on July 1, 2018 at 19:58. | Released on July 4, 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
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
Crazy Ken Band "Soul Train" (Download)
Crazy Ken Band has a new track out now digitally in Japan. "Soul Train" is the ending theme of train-themed TV show "burari tōchu gesha" (Nippon TV) aired every Saturday morning from 9:25. I believe it had been almost...
Posted on May 2, 2018 at 23:40. | Released on May 2, 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
YMCK "Magical Galaxy Tour EP" (Download)
YMCK is releasing a new EP, and on the same day doing a rare one-man show in Ebisu! The EP consists of 4 songs including collaborations with Robotprins (Sweden), Mega Ran (U.S.), and a mysterious rapper named MC8bit, and also...
Posted on April 12, 2018 at 23:44. | Released on April 14, 2018
Cornelius "NHK 'Design Ah' 2", "Design Ah" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Out now is a 2nd soundtrack album for NHK's popular educational TV program "Design Ah" (「デザインあ」) for which all the music is by Cornelius! Featured are vocals by Chocolat, Aoba Ichiko, Harada Ikuko (clammbon), Hanaregumi, KAKATO (Tamaki ROY x Chinza...
Posted on March 27, 2018 at 22:42. | Released on March 21, 2018
SOLEIL "My Name is SOLEIL"
After having debuted last year with single "Pinky Fluffy", band SOLEIL is already back with a first full-length major album! This consists of only new previously unreleased songs, and matching the band's 60's style all was recorded and mixed in...
Posted on March 7, 2018 at 23:58. | Released on March 21, 2018
Plastics "A"
On February 25 it will have been a year since the passing away of Plastics leader Nakanishi Toshio. This is a live album of the Plastics' 40th anniversary show held at Blue Note Tokyo on May 10, 2016. The show...
Posted on February 13, 2018 at 21:41. | Released on February 21, 2018
Juicy Fruits "Bittersweet"
Legendary new wave band Juicy Fruits is back with a brand new album! While they have been active playing some live shows in the recent years, 34 years have passed since their previous album release ("Come on Swing" in 1984)!...
Posted on February 5, 2018 at 21:41. | Released on February 14, 2018
Yasutaka Nakata "Digital Native"
Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE) is releasing a first solo album! Included are some brand new songs, including collaborations with banvox and MAMIKO (chelmico), along with some previously released tracks including "Crazy Crazy" (a collaboration with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Charli XCX)...
Posted on January 31, 2018 at 22:37. | Released on February 7, 2018
Ryuichi Sakamoto "async - Remodels"
This month Ryuichi Sakamoto suddenly released a remix album of songs from his latest album "async". Included are remixes by close collaborators Cornelius, Alva Noto and Fennesz, as well as ARCA (co-producer of Björk's "Vulnicura"), Oneohtrix Point Never (who is...
Posted on December 31, 2017 at 13:50. | Released on December 13, 2017
Neil and Iraiza "Timeless Melodies"
Neil and Iraiza, the band of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Horie Hirohisa (The Cornelius Group, etc.), is back with a brand new album! This comes 15 years after "New School" (2002)! "Timeless Melodies" is packed with warm...
Posted on December 18, 2017 at 23:58. | Released on December 20, 2017
Izumi Ookawara x P.O.P "How I met you"
Izumi Ookawara (Qypthone) has a new song out now digitally! P.O.P's trackmaker Saitō Ryōji and the twin rappers collaborated to make this groovy disco track, to which Izumi wrote the lyrics. Check it out on iTunes worldwide, Spotify, etc....
Posted on November 22, 2017 at 21:53. | Released on November 22, 2017
Studio 75 "Over Your Shoulder"
Studio 75, the instrumental project of Small Circle of Friends, has a 4th album out now! This is a collection of 15 songs, with the help of Musicaänossa's Nakamura Tomoaki as selector. Release official page Small Circle of Friends can...
Posted on November 11, 2017 at 13:44. | Released on October 25, 2017
Gig report: "Shibuya no Radio no Shibuya-kei Festival"
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday October 21, 2017 was held a very special music event for Shibuya-kei music fans. Shibuya ward organizes annually a music festival called "Shibuya ongakusai" (or "Shibu-on", official site) and for...
Posted on October 28, 2017 at 11:43.
Yashiro Aki "yoru no tsuzuki"
Enka singer Yashiro Aki has a 2nd jazz album being released, this time again produced by Konishi Yasuharu! It's been five years since the first, "Songs Around Midnight" (2012). The media is a high-fidelity SHM-CD which plays in regular CD...
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 22:29. | Released on October 11, 2017
Cornelius "In a Dream" (7")
A new Cornelius 7" is coming out next week! Title song "In a Dream" is taken from his excellent latest album "Mellow Waves", while the B-side "yume no oku de" is a previously unreleased dreamy track that samples the...
Posted on September 22, 2017 at 23:13. | Released on September 27, 2017
Chelip "hikaru kaze no naka no subete / korette koi da to omounda"
Idol duo Chelip, formed of Mayu and Mion, have a 7th single out now on Disk Union's idol label "doles U". The song "korette koi da to omounda" was written and arranged by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme), and the...
Posted on August 23, 2017 at 22:54. | Released on August 23, 2017
Emerson Kitamura "Madokara / Ame No Saka No Ashimoto" (Download)
Keyboardist Emerson Kitamura has released two new songs digitally! Check them out on iTunes, Spotify, etc. Also don't miss his delightful latest mini-album "Rock'n Roll No Hajimari Ha". Emerson Kitamura will play at Rising Sun Festival 2017 in Hokkaido...
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 23:54. | Released on August 2, 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
STE "koyoi mo, sakaba ni te." (7"+CD)
This is a single produced by Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t Experience), commissioned by Tochigi Doughnuts, an association that promotes restaurants, bars and shops of Utsunomiya city in Tochigi prefecture, and also 7" records. The song is a kayō-ska hymn...
Posted on June 30, 2017 at 23:33. | Released on July 5, 2017
Cornelius "Mellow Waves"
A brand new album by Cornelius (international site) is coming at the end of June! Announced a few months ago and preceded by the release of two 7" singles, here comes "Mellow Waves", the long awaited follow-up to "Sensuous" (2006)!...
Posted on June 10, 2017 at 23:34. | Released on June 28, 2017
Gig report: "Godzilla Legend -- Music of Akira Ifukube" in New York
Text and photos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound(Except where indicated) Correspondent Nicholas D. Kent went to the "Godzilla Legend" concert held recently in New York. Here's his report! "Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube" April...
Posted on May 14, 2017 at 10:35.
"'Tasha Tudor - a still water story' Soundtrack"
"Tasha Tudor - a still water story" is a documentary movie by Japanese director Matsutani Mitsue that followed for ten years Tasha Tudor, a picture book writer and maker of beautiful gardens. This movie soundtrack features music by sione (aka...
Posted on May 4, 2017 at 21:34. | Released on May 15, 2017
Cornelius "anata ga iru nara" (7")
Cornelius has a brand new 7" single out today! Grab it now at Jet Set while you can. Another 7" is due for May 26, after which a new album will follow on June 28! Shows will be held...
Posted on April 26, 2017 at 21:48. | Released on April 26, 2017
Record Store Day 2017
Record Store Day 2017 will be taking place this weekend, on Saturday April 22! As usual, many limited releases will be available at record shops only from that date. Below is a selection of some of the best stuff that...
Posted on April 18, 2017 at 22:15. | Released on April 22, 2017
Shinohara Tomoe "Tomoe Shinohara ☆All Time Best☆"
This is a compilation of Shinohara Tomoe's greatest hits, going beyond label boundaries to include songs from her whole solo career, with of course many from her major releases but also from her self-produced albums "-:*Better*:-" and "-:*Oh Yes Say...
Posted on March 23, 2017 at 00:13. | Released on March 8, 2017
Denki Groove "Tropical Love"
Denki Groove has just released a brand new album, 4 years after "Human Beings and Animals" (2013). Titled "Tropical Love", it contains a total of 10 new songs including an album version of latest single "Fallin' Down" (2015). The song...
Posted on March 5, 2017 at 01:04. | Released on March 1, 2017
Various Artists "Best of Pied Piper Days Vol.2"
Pied Piper House (official Twitter) was an influential record shop in Tokyo from 1975 to 1989. It has been revived for a limited time on the 5th floor of Tower Records Shibuya since last summer, first for an expected 6...
Posted on January 22, 2017 at 15:36. | Released on January 25, 2017
D.A.N. "SSWB" (Download)
Band D.A.N., formed in August 2014, has a new digital EP out now! The whole was mixed by Aoki Takamasa and mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori. The title track almost 8-minute long! Its video clip shows young people spending a...
Posted on December 25, 2016 at 19:56. | Released on December 23, 2016
Emerson Kitamura "Rock'n Roll No Hajimari Ha"
Synth and keyboard lovers should find it hard to resist to Emerson Kitamura! This new album of 6 songs is the follow up to "Ochi Kochi Ni (in perspective)" (2014), and consists of more delectable instrumental pieces, mostly originals but...
Posted on December 16, 2016 at 00:36. | Released on December 14, 2016
Negicco "Negicco at NHK Hall ~ TADAIMA ~ 2016 Summer" (Blu-ray)
Negicco is releasing a Blu-ray disc of their latest big show, held at NHK Hall in Tokyo on July 30, 2016. All songs from latest album "Tea for Three" were performed live, as well as many other favorites. The entire...
Posted on November 26, 2016 at 00:23. | Released on November 29, 2016
La Veuve Moustachue "Les Vacances de la Veuve Moustachue" (12")
La Veuve Moustachue (aka "hige no mibōjin" in Japanese) is releasing an album on vinyl! This unit of Kishino You-ichi and composer/pianist Gary Ashiya first released a 5-song mini-album of the same title in 2002. All of those 5 songs...
Posted on November 15, 2016 at 23:49. | Released on November 16, 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
dorlis "Portrait"
Singer-songwriter dorlis has just recently released a new original album on Nakatsuka Takeshi's Delicatessen Recordings label. This is her first self-produced album, and the follow-up to "swingin' street 4" released 6 years ago (2010). "furidashi no kataomoi" was arranged by...
Posted on October 10, 2016 at 13:19. | Released on September 21, 2016
Izumi Ookawara "Friendly Ghost" (Download)
Izumi Ookawara (Qypthone) has two new songs about to be released on iTunes! Both were written by herself, and co-arranged by guitarist Ishigaki Kentarō (Qypthone) and pianist Mami Oonishi. Both tracks also feature Suzuki Kaoru on drums among others....
Posted on September 27, 2016 at 23:00. | Released on September 28, 2016
TRI4TH "Defying"
"Dance jazz quintet" TRI4TH has a 5th album coming, their 2nd on jazz label Playwright, follow-up to last year's "Awakening" (CDJapan). All songs are originals. A Japan tour will be starting in September, with the final show on January 9,...
Posted on September 7, 2016 at 21:15. | Released on September 14, 2016
Especia "Mirage"
Idol group Especia is now back as a trio with a brand new EP! There has been a serious image change following their dramatic move from Osaka to Tokyo earlier this year, with a cool sound that has evolved and...
Posted on August 11, 2016 at 22:45. | Released on August 10, 2016
Negicco "Tea for Three" (2LP)
Negicco's 3rd album "Tea for Three" (out last May) is being released as a limited double LP! Don't miss this! On the same day, Saturday July 30, Negicco will perform a one-man live at NHK Hall in Shibuya. Tickets are...
Posted on July 28, 2016 at 23:38. | Released on July 30, 2016
