Naive Super "Memories Of Moonage Nightlife feat. Maki Nomiya" (7")
Naive Super, the solo unit of Yushi Ibuki (keyboardist of Pictured Resort), has just released a first 7" of two collaboration songs, featuring Maki Nomiya and sugar me! Both songs were released digitally earlier this year. The A-side features...
Posted on October 31, 2020 at 01:59. | Released on October 31, 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 October 23, 2020 at 22:50. | Event held on Saturday December 12, 2020 at 19:30 (JST)
RSD Drops Day 3: Elekibass, bjons, SAKA-SAMA, marble≠marble
This Saturday October 24 is Record Store Day's third and last "RSD Drops Day", which this year gave a chance buying the exclusive items online on the day of release in addition to physical shops. Online sales will start from...
Posted on October 23, 2020 at 13:31. | Released on October 24, 2020
Cassette Store Day 2020: Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura, Learners
Today is a rainy Cassette Store Day in Tokyo. Luckily the items are available online too, at a few of the participating shops at least! Here are just a few picks that Tokyo's Coolest Sound readers might not want to...
Posted on October 17, 2020 at 12:51. | Released on October 17, 2020
Ryusenkei / hitomitoi "kanashii kurai Diamond" (Download)
Ryusenkei (project of Cunimondo Takiguchi) and hitomitoi made the music for new NHK drama series "Talio" that just started last week. The plot is about a fired lawyer and a crook who join forces to help people take their...
Posted on October 14, 2020 at 23:25. | Released on October 14, 2020
plantar & Maika Loubté "Moon Flower" (Download)
plantar is the brand new solo project of Nozomu Satō (aka M. Lemon, of caméra-stylo, Fujin Club, conte (previously Orangeade), Madame Croissant). His first release is a collaboration with Maika Loubté, and it's out digitally on French label Menace....
Posted on October 2, 2020 at 23:59. | Released on September 29, 2020
Philosophy no Dance "Don't Stop the Dance"
Funky idol group Philosophy No Dance has just done their major debut on Sony, with this new single titled "Don't Stop the Dance". The title song's lyrics were written by Hyadain. There are two limited editions, the "type A" which...
Posted on September 27, 2020 at 22:37. | Released on September 23, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.9
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 September 24, 2020 at 00:19.
VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "The Secret Life of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC" (12"+Download code)
VIDEOTAPEMUSIC is releasing a vinyl edition of his 4th album "The Secret Life of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC" (2019) (Spotify, ), but not without a twist. Several of the songs were re-mixed, the order changed, and the jacket also renewed for 2020. Also...
Posted on September 15, 2020 at 20:10. | Released on September 18, 2020
ZEUS a.k.a. Kensuke Okuda "Little Bit Better with Bonnie Pink / Horizon" (Download)
ZEUS is the new monicker of guitarist/keyboardist Okuda Kensuke, member of band Nona Reeves. He starts his new project with the release of two songs digitally. One of the songs features Bonnie Pink on vocals, while the other, "Horizon",...
Posted on September 15, 2020 at 13:20. | Released on September 15, 2020
Posted on September 6, 2020 at 12:19. | Event held on Saturday September 19, 2020 at 12:00 (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
Rocketman "Donikanariso feat. Mari Mizuno -beachside mix-" (Download)
Rocketman (aka Ryō Fukawa) released this week a new version of song "dounikanarisou" featuring Mizuno Mari (paris match). It's available on iTunes, Spotify, etc. Rocketman had previously featured her before on his albums "life is music 2" (2014) and...
Posted on August 29, 2020 at 00:40. | Released on August 26, 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
Posted on August 24, 2020 at 22:06. | Event held on Sunday September 6, 2020 at 13:00 (JST)
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
Ushio Kensuke "'Japan Sinks: 2020' Original Soundtrack" (2CD)
This is the soundtrack for Netflix anime series "Japan Sinks: 2020" (directed by Yuasa Asaaki), of which the music was produced by Ushio Kensuke (agraph). This soundtrack album includes 41 songs on two CDs, and the first pressing is said...
Posted on August 23, 2020 at 11:43. | Released on August 26, 2020
Posted on August 19, 2020 at 21:49. | Event held on Saturday August 29, 2020 at 12:00 (JST)
RHYME SO "Hot" (Download)
RHYME SO, the unit of RHYME (Bandcamp) and Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso), has just released a brand new song digitally. The impressive music video is set in a futuristic club and comes in 360° VR, worth watching directly on...
Posted on August 19, 2020 at 21:37. | Released on August 19, 2020
Posted on August 7, 2020 at 22:33. | Event held on Saturday August 15, 2020 at 22:00 (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
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
No Lie-Sense "Dadalogue"
No Lie-Sense, the unit of Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders) and Kera (Uchōten), is about to release a 3rd album! It had been 4 years since "Japan's Period". Two of the songs were released in advance on 7" in April, "warera ga...
Posted on July 23, 2020 at 23:24. | Released on July 29, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.7
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on July 22, 2020 at 23:35.
Fernanda Takai "Será que você vai acreditar?"
Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai, known as the vocalist and guitarist of band Pato Fu, has released just today a brand new album titled "Será que você vai acreditar?", which includes a collaboration with Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five)! Along with many...
Posted on July 10, 2020 at 20:59. | Released on July 10, 2020
Jun Kamoda "Escape The Night / Funky Protection" (7"), "kotoba no seiza (w/ CD album '3')" (Book+CD)
Jun Kamoda (aka Illreme, also the singer of band (((sssurrounddd)))) (Facebook, Bandcamp) has just released a 7" of two tracks that consist of sampling works, officially using sounds from Kashif's "The Night" (song that featured hitomitoi, released on album "BlueSongs")...
Posted on July 5, 2020 at 13:39. | Released on July 3, 2020
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
hitomitoi "City Dive" (2LP)
hitomitoi's album "City Dive" (2012) is being released as a double-LP! The album was produced by DJ Cunimondo Takiguchi (Ryūsenkei), and featured collaborations with Dorian and guitarist Kashif, all of which set the course for her further releases. Songs from...
Posted on May 30, 2020 at 13:02. | Released on June 3, 2020
Towa Tei "Magic" (7")
Coming in June is a brand new single by Towa Tei! Titled "Magic", it's said to be an uptempo track with synths and guitar, and it's the first cut from an upcoming 10th album expected around fall 2020. Featured...
Posted on May 23, 2020 at 23:08. | Released on June 17, 2020
Emiri Kanou "Koiseyo Otome" (12")
Neo ele-pop girl Emiri Kanou has a new 12" vinyl about to be released! Included are "Koiseyo Otome", the lead track from her album "GREENPOP", as well as a new remix by "new music unit" Lemmon, plus two versions of...
Posted on May 17, 2020 at 01:19. | Released on May 20, 2020
Saigenji "Live 'Compass' for the Future"
Singer-songwriter and guitarist with scat skills, Saigenji has a new live album being released, of 2 CDs worth of songs selected from shows where he was accompanied by drums, bass, percussions, piano and keyboards. Those shows were held on March...
Posted on May 13, 2020 at 20:19. | Released on May 13, 2020
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
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
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
Nao☆ (Negicco) "Best☆Friend"
Negicco's leader Nao has a new solo single being released in time for her upcoming birthday on April 10 (she will be turning 32!). Title song "Best☆Friend" is backed by band Scoobie Do, whose guitarist Matsuki Taijirō wrote the...
Posted on April 5, 2020 at 12:25. | Released on April 7, 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.
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
RHYME SO "Fashion Blogger" (Download)
Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso)'s latest project is RHYME SO (Twitter), featuring Australian singer RHYME (Bandcamp). They have just released brand new song out now titled "Fashion Blogger". Check out the cool video below, and also read more about the...
Posted on March 13, 2020 at 21:52. | Released on March 13, 2020
Philosophy no Dance "Sapiosexual"
Funky idol group Philosophy no Dance (aka Dance for Philosophy) has a new remix album about to be released! Included are remixes by FPM, Hyadain, Pasocom Music Club, ikkubaru (Indonesia), Night Tempo (South Korea), among many others. The album comes...
Posted on March 5, 2020 at 22:15. | Released on March 6, 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
Controversial Spark "G.G.B. c/w Yoru Ha Yurushite Kurenai" (7")
Here's a new 7" single by Controversial Spark (Facebook Page), band formed of Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders), Yabe Hiroshi (Musement), bassist Iwasaki Naomi, guitarist Kondō Kenji and vocalist konore! With for A-side a brand new song titled "G.G.B.", this closely...
Posted on January 30, 2020 at 22:27. | 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.
Kai "Paper Diamond / kanashii shirase" (7")
A 7" single of Kai's "Paper Diamond" from her recent mini-album of the same name is being released! Produced by Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders), it comes with a brand new cover of Moonriders' "kanashii shirase" (1985). The A'-side was arranged...
Posted on January 19, 2020 at 23:46. | Released on January 29, 2020
Yapoos "Suspicious behavior of Yapoos the 1st year of Reiwa era"
Yapoos, the band of Togawa Jun, is active again after some 13 years and just released a new album. Included are 6 songs performed at a live recording last August 17 at Shibuya Club Quattro, with a line-up featuring also...
Posted on December 29, 2019 at 22:09. | Released on December 11, 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.
Agata Morio "kankou omiyage dai3 wakusei"
Singer Agata Morio has a brand new album out this week! Like its predecessor "risō no kutsushita to fune" (2018), this time again the recording was done in New York City with collaborators including Lary 7, Avery Brooks (Lost Children,...
Posted on December 17, 2019 at 22:33. | Released on December 18, 2019
SOLEIL "SOLEIL in STEREO"
SOLEIL's first two albums ("My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright") are being reissued as a two-in-one album, and that remixed in stereo for the first time! SOLEIL having always recorded and released in mono only, this time they...
Posted on December 15, 2019 at 12:06. | Released on December 18, 2019
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.
Reina Nosa "Pink Delusional Aquarium" (Download)
Nosa Reina has a new song out now digitally! She has also announced that it's from her upcoming album "Sports and Distractions" (Japanese title "Sports to kibarashi") to be released in 2020. Reina can be heard playing ukulele (as...
Posted on November 29, 2019 at 01:05. | Released on November 21, 2019
Record Store Day Black Friday 2019
Black Friday isn't all that big in Japan, but we do get two releases for Record Store Day Black Friday 2019! The first release is song "Energy Flo", a self-cover of Ryuichi Sakamoto's "energy flow" in a collaboration with tabla...
Posted on November 28, 2019 at 22:54. | Released on November 29, 2019
Konishi Yasuharu & Playboys "Inoue Jun no Playboy kouza 12 shou"
This is Konishi Yasuharu's latest project! A modern take on 1969-released album "Enraku no Playboy kōza 12 shō", a 12-chapter narrative course for becoming a playboy with perfect lounge music BGM (then performed by pianist Maeda Norio & His Playboys),...
Posted on November 14, 2019 at 23:37. | Released on November 20, 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
80KIDZ "Always On My Way feat. Na Polycat" (Download)
80KIDZ has a new song out now digitally, and it features singer Na of Thai synth-pop band Polycat (Facebook)! Check it out below. This collaboration came to shape because Polycat sent in 2017 a copy of their Japanese-sung album...
Posted on November 13, 2019 at 23:34. | Released on November 13, 2019
Maika Loubté "Closer" (12")
Maika Loubté's latest album "Closer", out digitally last July (, Spotify, etc.), is about to get a physical release on clear vinyl! Check out the brand new music video for "Snappp (feat. New Optimism)" below, a track featuring New Optimism...
Posted on November 8, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on December 4, 2019
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
Yoshida Tetsuto "hitomeguri / hikari no naka e" (7")
Yoshida Tetsuto (Twitter), known in the recent years for his songwriting and arrangements for various idol groups such as WHY@DOLL, Kai and Team Syachihoko (to name a few), is now releasing his own solo debut 7" single as a...
Posted on October 27, 2019 at 11:35. | Released on October 30, 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
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
Kaede "Remember You" (CD/7")
Negicco's Kaede has a new solo single about to be released! Title song "Remember You" is an original written and produced by Dōjima Kōhei, while the B-side is a cover of idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku (aka Ebichū) arranged by...
Posted on October 12, 2019 at 23:39. | Released on October 15, 2019
Polysics "In The Sync", The Vocoders "1st V"
Polysics have a brand new album that has just been released! Also, out at the same time is a first album by The Vocoders, a "café techno group" formed of the same members as Polysics. Each containing 13 songs, included...
Posted on October 12, 2019 at 22:07. | Released on October 9, 2019
SOLEIL "Twinkle Heart" (7")
SOLEIL has a brand new 7" single being released! The title song is Christmas-themed, and it's a brand new original written by Ijichi Hiromasa, known for writing many songs for idol group Speed. The B-side is a cover of...
Posted on October 10, 2019 at 23:21. | Released on November 20, 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
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
VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "The Secret Life Of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC"
VIDEOTAPEMUSIC has a new 4th album coming this week, most of which is vocal! A large number of collaborators are featured including vocalists Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Takagi Shōhei (cero), Robochū, mmm, etc., and musicians such as Emerson Kitamura,...
Posted on July 22, 2019 at 23:04. | Released on July 24, 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
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
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
WHY@DOLL "futari de ikite yukereba / Love Story wa shumatsu ni" (7")
Girl duo WHY@DOLL have a new 7" single being released. A-side "futari de ikite yukereba" is taken from their latest EP "Hey!", while the B-side is a new 2019 mix of a song from a previous single ("kimi wa...
Posted on June 23, 2019 at 16:18. | Released on June 26, 2019
Enoshima Bakusou Gals "surume Boy" (7")
Self-produced new wave idol Kanou Emiri joins forces with soulful voiced sisters Way Wave in this new collaboration unit called Enoshima Bakusō Gals. Their first 7" single is titled "surume Boy" (surume = dried squid), a super catchy track...
Posted on June 23, 2019 at 12:21. | Released on June 26, 2019
Sota & Kashif "Europa Part 1 & Part 2" (7")
Sota & Kashif is a collaboration of guitarist Kashif (Pan Pacific Playa) and keyboardist Takagi Sōta (of Inokashira Rangers, Cat Boys, etc.). Their first release is an instrumental cover of Santana's hit song "Europa" in two parts! The 7"...
Posted on June 18, 2019 at 22:05. | Released on June 19, 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
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
SOLEIL "Mellotron Girl c/w High School Lullaby" (7")
SOLEIL, whose next album "Lollipop Sixteen" is expected for July, has a new 7" single being released in advance! The A-side is a new original song that reminds of mid-career Beatles, with music written by Okada Yumi (the band's...
Posted on May 24, 2019 at 23:00. | Released on May 29, 2019
Omodaka "Hietsuki Bushi" (7")
Omodaka, unique artist who blends chiptune and Japanese traditional minyō singing, has a new 7" out now! "Hietsuki Bushi" is a song from album "Sanosa" (2011), while the B-side is a previously unreleased mambo disco funk track titled "Gujoh...
Posted on April 24, 2019 at 00:40. | 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
Gallantique Kazue "Original Collection", "Cover Collection"
Singer Gallantique Kazue has two new albums being released at the same time! One is an album of her original songs, while the other is a collection of covers. "Original Collection" is actually her 2nd original album, the previous dating...
Posted on March 24, 2019 at 20:58. | Released on March 27, 2019
Various Artists "chansoiree"
Live venue Saravah in Shibuya opened in December 2010 with the supervision of French artist Pierre Barouh (who passed away in 2016) and taking its name from his record label. The unique venue will close its doors on February 17,...
Posted on February 9, 2019 at 21:33. | Released on February 17, 2019
Kanou Emiri "gomenne c/w Been With You" (7")
Even though she has only released a CD-R so far, Kanou Emiri (Twitter) has been gaining a lot of attention lately for her songs that take straight inspiration from 80's new wave (despite her young age) while having a...
Posted on February 3, 2019 at 22:57. | Released on February 13, 2019
Mint-Lee noka "bokura wa zutto ikiteiru / haenuki yorinuki ongakutai" (Picture 7")
Mint-Lee noka is the latest unit of Mayutan (of toy-pop unit ammakasie noka), Okamura Midori (aka Mint-Lee) and toy instrument percussionist Sayu Candy. Their first release comes as a stunningly beautiful 7" picture disc, of which the concept is...
Posted on January 27, 2019 at 13:04. | Released on January 30, 2019
Controversial Spark "After Intermission"
Controversial Spark (Facebook Page) is a band formed of Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders), Yabe Hiroshi (Musement), bassist Iwasaki Naomi, guitarist Kondō Kenji and vocalist konore. They have a 2nd album out just now, which follows mini-album "Angels of a Feather" (2015)...
Posted on January 12, 2019 at 22:01. | Released on January 11, 2019
Philosophy no Dance "Love Variation with Scoobie Do / Heuristic City"
Philosophy no Dance (aka Dance for Philosophy) has a new single out now! "Love Variation" is a new collaboration with band Scoobie Do, with who they shared the stage of Tokyo Kinema Club last October. The double-A-sider single also contains...
Posted on January 8, 2019 at 22:55. | Released on December 14, 2018
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
Denki Groove "30"
Denki Groove will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! So here comes a new album called "30" which includes remakes of songs such as remakes of hit songs "Shangri-La", "Fujisan" and "Flashback Disco", as well as two anniversary songs,...
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 15:59. | Released on January 23, 2019
Orangeade "Broccoli is Here"
Orangeade is a trio unit of Satō Nozomu (aka M. Lemon, of caméra-stylo, Fujin Club, Madame Croissant), Kurosawa Yōsuke (Portraits) and Osawa Kentarō (aka Kitasono Minami). This mini-album is their first official CD release. They make beautiful clity pop-like...
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 15:49. | Released on December 26, 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.
Agata Morio "risou no kutsushita to fune"
Singer Agata Morio has a brand new album out now! Having released an album every year since 2011 (the previous being "Baby-lon" with Hachimitsu Pie), this time all recording and mixing was done in New York City. Collaborators include artists...
Posted on December 28, 2018 at 23:00. | Released on December 26, 2018
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
