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
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
WHY@DOLL "Hey!"
WHY@DOLL is an idol duo from Sapporo (Hokkaido) that combines great songs (and singing) with elegant and charming dances. Their new ep "Hey!" brings four new songs, two of which are written by Yoshida Tetsuto (and co-arranged by Hase Yasuhiro...
Posted on February 4, 2019 at 23:36. | Released on February 12, 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
HALLCA "Wanna Dance!" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out today digitally! "Wanna Dance!", a new dancefloor-oriented track with music written by PellyColo, is the follow-up to "Apéritif e.p" released last summer. It has been announced that there will...
Posted on February 1, 2019 at 21:14. | Released on February 1, 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
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
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
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
Way Wave "Show Time"
Way Wave, the funky duo formed of soulful-voiced sisters Anna and Yuna, has released a first album just recently! The producers are Seki Yoshihiko, Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) and Lainy J Groove, and featured musicians include Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme),...
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 11:57. | Released on December 19, 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.
Hime to Mahou "Princess & Magic"
Hime to Mahou is the unit of singer/idol Himeno Tama and DJ Mahoutsukai (aka manga artist Nishijima Daisuke), who are disbanding with the release of this first fill-length album. Most tracks were previously released as CD-R's sold exclusively from 2016...
Posted on December 4, 2018 at 23:34. | Released on December 5, 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
Haruko Tajima "Holy Holy Holy Holy"
Electro singer-songwriter Tajima Haruko, who is also active as duo Francis avec Haruko (see new mini-album "Zero Gravity Love"), has released a brand new album recently! Be sure to check out the cool videos she posts on YouTube, starting with...
Posted on November 4, 2018 at 22:46. | Released on October 3, 2018
Nagisa Yoko "Nagisa no Zundoko bushi" (7")
Kayōkyoku singer Nagisa Yōko suddenly passed away in September just days after performing part of a Crazy Ken Band concert, ahead of her annual recital which was to be held in November. R.I.P. to a great singer and entertainer....
Posted on November 3, 2018 at 11:19. | Released on October 24, 2018
Record Day 2018
Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to...
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 23:22. | Released on November 3, 2018
Nomiya Maki "Shibuya-kei Songbook" (2 CDs), "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji c/w Happy Sad" (7")
This new album by Nomiya Maki comes with 2 discs. The first is a collection of songs from her recent albums of the "Shibuya-kei Standards" series (released from 2014 through 2017), and the 2nd is of a previously unreleased entire...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:26. | Released on October 31, 2018
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Japamyu"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a 4th album about to be released! "Japamyu" comes over 4 years after "Pika Pika Fantajin" (2014). Included are the previously released songs "Harajuku Iyahoi", "Kimi No Mikata" and "Todoke Punch", as well as a new...
Posted on September 21, 2018 at 23:52. | Released on September 26, 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
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
Her Serves & Receive "Service Ace"
Her Serves & Receive (Japanese name "kanojo no Serves & Receive") is a girl vocal duo, and "future tennis icons", that has a gimmick of sporting tennis wear and a racket whenever performing live. Beyond the looks, their sounds have...
Posted on August 11, 2018 at 18:20. | Released on August 5, 2018
Perfume "Future Pop"
Perfume has a new 7th album coming this month! "Future Pop" is the follow-up to "Cosmic Explorer" (2016). As usual all songs are written and produced by Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE). Included are singles "Tokyo Girl", "If you wanna", "mugen mirai",...
Posted on August 7, 2018 at 22:55. | Released on August 15, 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
The Scooters "Be My Baby" (7"+CD)
The Scooters have a brand new single that has just been released! "Be My Baby" is a new original song that was made as the theme of leader Shindō Mitsuo's exhibition held a few months ago sharing the same title....
Posted on July 14, 2018 at 22:58. | Released on November 14, 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
hitomitoi "Sixteen Reasons c/w Aquamarine no mamade ite" (7")
hitomitoi has a new 7" single being released on the Grand Gallery label. Included are two covers previously released on compilations by the label: "Sixteen Reasons" (Connie Stevens cover) taken from "Oldies But Goodies" (2014, CDJapan) and "Aquamarine no...
Posted on July 8, 2018 at 23:51. | Released on July 13, 2018
HALLCA "Aperitif e.p"
It's been a bit over a year since Especia disbanded, and it's now the turn of group leader Tominaga Haruka to come back as a solo singer! Under the new monicker HALLCA, here comes a first EP of which the...
Posted on July 8, 2018 at 00:22. | Released on July 25, 2018
Way Wave "Summer Girl / Lovin' You" (7")
Way Wave is a duo formed of sisters Anna and Yuna with soulful voices, and their first 7" single is produced by Seki Yoshihiko and classifies as city pop. The A-side is original "Summer Girl", while the B-side is...
Posted on June 27, 2018 at 23:57. | Released on June 27, 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
Sawagi "Kabo Wabo"
Sawagi, a band that gives an energetic show of dance music played with live instruments, has a new album coming and it's co-produced by Chabe (Learners, cubismo grafico, Neil and Iraiza)! A remix by Chabe as cbsmgrfc is also included....
Posted on May 21, 2018 at 22:49. | Released on May 23, 2018
RYUTist "aozora Signal"
This is a new single by Niigata-based idol group RYUTist. Title song "aozora Signal" was written and arranged by Okii Reiji (Tweedees, ex-Cymbals), and the B-side has music and arrangements by Indonesian band ikkubaru. Both have lyrics written by Kiyoura...
Posted on May 17, 2018 at 23:15. | Released on May 15, 2018
Shunosuke Ishikawa "Mas Que Nada" (Download)
Saxophonist Shunosuke Ishikawa covers Sergio Mendes' bossa nova hit song "Mas Que Nada" in a danceable breakbeats arrangement that also features trumpet, trombone, piano, bass and drums. A release event will be held on Wednesday May 16 at Shibuya...
Posted on April 18, 2018 at 00:09. | Released on April 18, 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
jan and naomi "Fracture"
jan and naomi (Facebook) have a brand new album about to be released! "Fracture", actually their first full-length album, is the follow-up to mini-album "Leeloo and Alexandra". The artwork was done by Chim↑Pom. Audio samples can be heard at OTOTOY....
Posted on April 15, 2018 at 19:44. | Released on April 18, 2018
Nosa Reina "Endless Party ~Cover Album~"
Nosa Reina is releasing a first cover album this month, of various charming Japanese songs from her memories arranged with a new wave touch. Featured are songs originally by EPO, Sakakibara Ikue (Techno-kayō classic "Robot"!), Sawada Kenji, Ōtaki Eiichi, Suzuki...
Posted on April 14, 2018 at 00:15. | Released on April 18, 2018
Urbangarde "Shoujo Fiction"
Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde has a brand new album being released this week, underlining their 10th anniversary since album "shōjo wa nido shinu" (2008)! The deluxe edition comes with a 24-page booklet and DVD of 4 music videos. HMV gives...
Posted on April 2, 2018 at 23:24. | Released on April 4, 2018
Bakubaku Dokin "Darara / tasogare no Catherine" (7")
Following a great single titled "Good Night Baby" released just last month, here's a 2nd 7" from Bakubaku Dokin. The A-side "Darara" is said to be a mellow tune that sounds best at night, while B-side "tasogare no Catherine"...
Posted on February 20, 2018 at 22:21. | Released on February 28, 2018
Emerson Kitamura "The Countryside is Great e.p." (12")
"Bangkok Nites" is a Japanese movie released in 2016. EM Records, the label that released the soundtrack, has been also releasing a series of tribute 12" EPs. This last installment is by keyboardist Emerson Kitamura. "inaka wa iine" is a...
Posted on February 18, 2018 at 12:13. | Released on February 17, 2018
tofubeats "Immortal Love" (Download)
tofubeats has a new song out now digitally. "Immortal Love" (Japanese title: "fumetsu no kokoro") is the theme song of live action TV drama "Video Girl Ai 2018" ("den·ei shōjo") shown on TV Tokyo every Saturday night from 24:20....
Posted on February 17, 2018 at 09:40. | Released on February 16, 2018
ECD "Lucky Man" (7")
Rapper ECD passed away on January 24, 2018 at the age of 67. This is a 7" release of song "Lucky Man" from his latest album "Three Wise Monkeys" (2015), and includes a new remix by Illicit Tsuboi who...
Posted on February 15, 2018 at 21:50. | Released on February 28, 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
Ozawa Kenji "Arpeggio (kitto mahou no Tunnel no saki)"
Ozawa Kenji has a new single being released on Valentine's Day. The title song is the theme of movie "River's Edge", and also features the voices of lead actress Nikaidō Fumi and actor Yoshizawa Ryō. The B-side is a live...
Posted on February 12, 2018 at 21:54. | Released on February 14, 2018
Ushio Kensuke "'Sunny/32' Original Soundtrack"
The soundtrack of movie "Sunny/32" was produced by Ushio Kensuke (aka agraph, of band LAMA and also live support member for Denki Groove). Theme song "pray" is sung by Tabuchi Hisako (LAMA). The movie, which features Pierre Taki (Denki Groove)...
Posted on February 11, 2018 at 23:29. | Released on February 14, 2018
lyrical school "'Take Me Out' on Dec 16"
Rap idol group lyrical school has a first live album being released, of a show held on December 16, 2017, at Liquidroom in Ebisu, Tokyo. Included are live opening song "debayashi" as well as previously unreleased live favorites "(Get Around!)...
Posted on February 5, 2018 at 23:06. | Released on February 14, 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
Robochu "Scrappin"
Rapper Robochu, lately often seen on stage with Scha Dara Parr but also as the leader of 90's hip-hop group Dassen 3 and a member of Donuts Disco Deluxe (with Afra and Ani (SDP)), has released a new album. It...
Posted on February 3, 2018 at 18:01. | Released on January 31, 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
Negicco "Calypso musume ni hanataba o"
Here's a new single by Negicco! Both songs were written by Negicco's producer connie, although the title song was arranged and performed by Your Song Is Good. This is the first time Negicco collaborates with YSIG. The limited edition...
Posted on January 30, 2018 at 23:19. | Released on February 6, 2018
Kinoco Hotel "kainarasarenai onnatachi ~ jikkyou rokuonban" (2CD+DVD)
Kinoco Hotel has released a new live album of their 10th anniversary show that was held on June 24, 2017 at Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo. The packages includes 2 CDs (totaling 96 min.) and a DVD (of about 78 min.)....
Posted on January 27, 2018 at 18:55. | Released on January 17, 2018
fox capture plan "KOTODAMA -kono koe o kimi ni Soundtrack-", "SEPT"
Here are two new soundtracks by instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan. Both are for TV drama series. The final show of their "UИTITLƎD" tour will be held on February 2 at Shibuya O-East. fox capture plan "KOTODAMA -kono koe...
Posted on January 25, 2018 at 22:54. | Released on January 24, 2018
Toshiyuki Yasuda "Breaking the Silence (Version 10.3.3)"
Toshiyuki Yasuda has a brand new album out now! This is his 6th album, the follow-up to "Nameless God's Blue" (2015), although this time he used a completely new process to produce music which he calls "Version Up Music". Started...
Posted on January 25, 2018 at 22:01. | Released on January 24, 2018
Milli Milli Bar "My Sweet Seventeen" (Download)
Milli Milli Bar (Twitter) is the new band featuring pianist/singer-songwriter Yafune Tetsurō and singer Mia Nascimento (ex-Especia), with bassist Hishikawa Kōtarō and Sugata Naoto. Already having played some shows in Tokyo (some of which can be watched on YouTube)...
Posted on January 19, 2018 at 22:52. | Released on January 19, 2018
Nosa Reina "Endless Valentine" (Download)
Nosa Reina has a new cover song out now digitally! "Endless Valentine" is a cover of EPO, originally released in 1990. A whole album of covers including this and her recent Christmas song cover is expected to be released...
Posted on January 17, 2018 at 20:27. | Released on January 17, 2018
Tentenko "kiken na anata"
The 2nd EP of Tentenko (ex-BiS) is being released on CD. This was first released on iTunes on December 6. Included is a cover of classic techno-kayō song "Robot" (originally sung by Sakakibara Ikue). "nantonaku abunai" was written by Sakamoto...
Posted on January 14, 2018 at 13:09. | Released on January 17, 2018
Cherryboy Function "suggested function EP#4"
Here's a 4th EP of electro artist Cherryboy Function's "suggested function" series. This follows album "Word In The Petals" (2016). Included is "sakamoto metal (type-b)", a new edit of the track he made for video & music project Industrial JP...
Posted on January 13, 2018 at 12:17. | Released on January 10, 2018
Luby Sparks "Luby Sparks"
Indie-pop band Luby Sparks (Facebook, Soundcloud), formed in 2015, is finally releasing a debut album. It is co-produced by Max Bloom (Yuck, ex-Cajun Dance Party) and was entirely recorded in London. This follows the release of split-cassette "Yuck/Luby Sparks" (Fastcut...
Posted on January 8, 2018 at 11:54. | Released on January 24, 2018
Takkyu Ishino "Takkyu Ishino Works 1983-2017"
Takkyu Ishino (Denki Groove), who just turned 50 on December 26, is releasing an box set of eight CDs! This includes a lot of his works except his solo original albums and Denki Groove original songs. This sums up to...
Posted on January 6, 2018 at 00:23. | Released on January 24, 2018
WHY@DOLL "Show Me Your Smile"
Idol duo WHY@DOLL from Sapporo (Hokkaido) has a new single coming, the follow-up to their self-titled album released last August. The title track was written and produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi, while B-side "Promises, Promises" has music written by Yoshida Tetsuto...
Posted on January 2, 2018 at 23:05. | Released on January 23, 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
Blue Peppers "Retroactive"
Blue Peppers is a unit formed of Fukuda Naoki and Inoue Kaoru. After an EP and two singles, here comes their first full-length album, which features guest vocals by Hoshino Michiru and Sasaki Shiori. Aside from making their own music,...
Posted on December 31, 2017 at 11:07. | Released on November 15, 2017
Hosono Haruomi "Vu Ja De"
Hosono Haruomi has released a brand new album last month. Titled "Vu Jà Dé", it's a 2-CD album with the 1st disc sub-titled "Eight Beat Combo" and the 2nd "Essay". Check out this special site where all songs can be...
Posted on December 31, 2017 at 00:07. | Released on November 8, 2017
Charan-Po-Rantan "Mirage Collage"
Sisters Charan-Po-Rantan released a brand new album original album recently. All songs can be sampled on this special site. The limited editions (Blu-ray and DVD) contain 3 music videos plus a digest of 12 songs from a show held in...
Posted on December 30, 2017 at 23:15. | Released on November 1, 2017
DJ Misoshiru to MC Gohan "komenication"
Always charmingly rapping about food and cooking, DJ Misoshiru to MC Gohan has recently released a brand new album, which features collaborations with Shinco (Scha Dara Parr), Homecomings, manabua, Onigawara and more. This time all songs have a theme of...
Posted on December 30, 2017 at 22:40. | Released on October 25, 2017
Nakano Aya "girigiri no kankei" (7"+CD)
Singer Nakano Aya's latest single was released on 7"+CD! Both are new songs, with a danceable 16-beat soul A-side, and a track with an old soul sound for B-side. The CD includes bonus instrumentals. On January 9 will be held...
Posted on December 30, 2017 at 22:08. | Released on October 25, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau." (2x7")
4 songs from Nomiya Maki's recent winter song cover album are being released on vinyl in the form of a set of two 7"'s. The exclusive artwork was designed and photographed by Shindō Mitsuo in Shibuya's Nonbei Yokochō. Valentine's Day-themed...
Posted on December 24, 2017 at 10:48. | Released on December 27, 2017
Vanilla Beans "Necco ~watashi no mono~" (Download)
Vanilla Beans never stop surprising! Today they suddenly released a brand new song on iTunes worldwide, and it's sung in Korean! Filed under K-Pop, the song actually has a Swedish-style soft rock sound with pizzicato strings that should perk...
Posted on December 20, 2017 at 21:19. | Released on December 20, 2017
Nomiya Maki with Stardust Brothers "hoshikuzu kyoudai, tsuki e yuku" (Download)
Nomiya Maki has a new song out now on iTunes Japan! This space disco track appears in sci-fi musical movie "The Brand New Legend of the Stardust Brothers" directed by Macoto Tezka (son of Tezuka Osamu), to open in...
Posted on December 5, 2017 at 23:28. | Released on December 6, 2017
Vanilla Beans "Vani Best II"
Vanilla Beans are celebrating their 10th anniversary! This is a greatest hits album that consists of all singles since their debut in 2007. Also included are one brand new song and also a new version of "Tokyo wa yoru no...
Posted on November 30, 2017 at 23:54. | Released on December 6, 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.
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau."
Nomiya Maki's new album is coming this month, and this time she sings Shibuya-kei standards that share a winter theme. Included are duets with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Watanabe Marina, Takano Hiroshi and Suzuki Masayuki, with also chorus by...
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 21:11. | Released on October 18, 2017
Manon "Popcorn Crisis" (Download)
Here's a 4th song by Fukuoka-born half-French teenage model and singer Manon! This fun bouncy track is again produced by Yuppa (HNC), and the toybox-like video below was directed by VJ unit onnacodomo! The song is out now on...
Posted on October 6, 2017 at 23:12. | Released on October 6, 2017
Stardust Brothers "hoshikuzu kyoudai no densetsu" (Download)
An exciting sci-fi rock musical movie titled "The Brand New Legend of the Stardust Brothers" directed by Macoto Tezka (son of Tezuka Osamu famous for "Astro Boy") will start showing in theaters in Japan in January 2018! It will...
Posted on October 5, 2017 at 23:28. | Released on October 4, 2017
fox capture plan "UNTITLED"
Instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan has a 6th album being released. This is the follow-up to "Fragile" released last January, since which they also released Disney cover album "Rock In Disney ~fox capture plan" (Amazon). A tour will be...
Posted on October 1, 2017 at 14:38. | Released on October 4, 2017
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicatomania!" (12")
Following the recent release of a remastered CD last February, Pizzicato Five's "Pizzicatomania!" is now being released on vinyl for the first time. In addition to one of the new "Action Painting" mixes that appeared on that CD, previously unreleased...
Posted on September 27, 2017 at 00:06. | Released on November 3, 2017
Bank "Time / Himitsu" (7")
New wave band BANK has a new 7" out now! Check out their new songs of a dubby mellow 80's feel. BANK is a band that features singer Nakamura Dai (ex-Arch), drummer Suzuki Bō, bassist Hirami Fumio (ex-Love Tambourines),...
Posted on September 16, 2017 at 22:20. | Released on September 16, 2017
Various Artists "Ace 2", "Ace ep" (7"x2)
Konishi Yasuharu compiles another CD from Sony's J-Pop hit catalog, consisting of songs that have not been released on 7". This follows the release of "Ace" last February that was the starting point to the release of several 7" singles...
Posted on September 12, 2017 at 23:20. | Released on September 13, 2017
neco nemuru "Sayonara Summer / hinekuretai no" (7")
Usually instrumental band neco nemuru has a new 7" single out now, of songs in collaboration with Abe Yūma (never young beach) and Scha Dara Parr + Robochu. neco nemuru "Sayonara Summer / hinekuretai no" (7") neco眠る 「SAYONARA SUMMER/ひねくれたいの」...
Posted on September 8, 2017 at 00:15. | Released on September 6, 2017
Ozawa Kenji to Sekai No Owari "I Hear an Owl"
Ozawa Kenji (ex-Flipper's Guitar) has a new single out now, his 2nd this year (following "ryūdōtai ni tsuite" released suddenly in February). The title song is a collaboration with band Sekai No Owari, while the B-side is a solo song...
Posted on September 8, 2017 at 00:02. | Released on September 6, 2017
TRI4TH "4th Rebellion"
Dance jazz quintet TRI4TH has a 6th album about to be released! Their previous was the 2016-released "Defying", since which they also did a split mini-album with band Calmera titled "Horns Riot" (CDJapan, Amazon). Aside from plenty of new songs,...
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 21:58. | Released on September 6, 2017
Lucky Tapes "Virtual Gravity"
3-piece band Lucky Tapes has a new EP coming this week on label Rallye. This is a follow-up to 2016 album "Cigarettes & Alcohol". Check out the brand new clip below. A tour will be starting soon, going through Japan...
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 20:53. | Released on September 6, 2017
Various Artists "Throw Away Your CDs Go Out To A Show"
Call And Response Records has a new compilation out now! Curated by Ian Martin, author of the book "Quit Your Band! Musical Notes from the Japanese Underground", this album features 17 bands from various areas of Japan, revolving around genres...
Posted on August 20, 2017 at 00:37. | Released on August 16, 2017
PARKGOLF "Reo"
Parkgolf (Twitter), a beatmaker/producer based in Hokkaidō whose debut album was released on Seiho's Day Tripper Records, has a 2nd album out now! "hyakunen" (feat. hitomitoi) and "Dance no aizu" (feat. Okamoto Emi) were also released on 7", find details...
Posted on August 14, 2017 at 23:03. | Released on August 9, 2017
Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz gaiden 3 ~ All the young dudes ~ subete no wakakiyarōdomo"
Here's a 3rd compilation by Sunaga Tatsuo of the "yoru Jazz gaiden" series, part of his larger ongoing "Jazz Allnighters" ("yoru Jazz") series, which features many up-and-coming young Japanese jazz bands. Included is a brand new song by Sunaga t...
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 23:40. | Released on August 2, 2017
P.O.P "Kiss Me" (Download)
P.O.P, the group of twin rappers with trackmaker Saitō Ryōji, have a new single now available for download and streaming! The song "Kiss Me" comes along with a very special 360° VR video. When viewed on a PC or...
Posted on August 9, 2017 at 22:26. | Released on August 9, 2017
Omisohan to Richakohan "Nihao! Zaijian! Yodaredori!!", Vanilla Beans "Tokyo Crawl (Rena ver.)" (Download)
Vanilla Beans are this year celebrating their 10th anniversary! Today, members Rena & Lisa have each released a separate song now available on iTunes Japan and other download/streaming services. DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan (nickname: Omisohan) and Lisa (nickname...
Posted on August 2, 2017 at 20:46. | Released on August 2, 2017
Charan-Po-Rantan "toritomenai ongakukai" (Blu-ray/DVD)
This is a live DVD (and Blu-ray) of the last show of Charan-Po-Rantan's latest tour, titled "Charan-Po-Rantan to yukai na Cancan Balcan Tour 2016-17 'taishū ongaku no tebiki'", which closely followed the release of album "toritomenashi". This show was held...
Posted on July 9, 2017 at 22:15. | Released on July 12, 2017
Mira Parameter "Reborn"
Singer-songwriter Etuka's new electro-pop solo unit Mira Parameter has a first album being released on Gooondo, the label of Gondō Tomohiko (Metafive). The album, with a sound reminiscent of 80's techno, was produced by Gondō and mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori....
Posted on July 5, 2017 at 21:08. | Released on July 6, 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
Mondo Grosso "Reborn Again and Always Starting New"
Mondo Grosso, the solo unit of Ōsawa Shinichi, has just released a brand new album! It had been some 14 years since his latest works under the Mondo Grosso name, and then suddenly came the "Labyrinth" single released on Record...
Posted on June 9, 2017 at 23:51. | Released on June 7, 2017
Shibata Satoko "Do You Need a Rest From Love?"
Singer-songwriter Shibata Satoko has a 4th album out today! This is the follow-up to her eponymous album released in 2015. Two songs were arranged by Kishida Shigeru (Quruli), and one by Yamamoto Seiichi (Boredoms). In June she will tour Japan,...
Posted on May 17, 2017 at 23:05. | Released on May 17, 2017
tofubeats "Fantasy Club"
tofubeats has a brand new album, his 3rd major album, coming this month! This is the follow-up to "Positive" (2015). There seems to be much more of tofubeats' own vocals than ever before, though the album also features guest vocalists...
Posted on May 6, 2017 at 11:51. | Released on May 24, 2017
microstar "She Got the Blues" (12")
microstar's latest album "She Got the Blues" (2016) is being released on vinyl. microstar "She Got the Blues" A1. Chocolate Baby A2. Tiny Spark A3. tsuki no Palace A4. tomodachi ni narō A5. My Baby B1. yūgure Girl (Album Mix)...
Posted on May 5, 2017 at 22:34. | Released on May 24, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Vacances Shibuya-kei o utau. ~Wonderful Summer~"
Of her "Shibuya-kei standards" series, Nomiya Maki brings us a new album of summer & vacation-themed covers of Shibuya-kei songs, or ones that inspired the scene's artists. Included are songs originally by Watanabe Marina (written by Ozawa Kenji & Oyamada...
Posted on April 20, 2017 at 21:46. | Released on May 3, 2017
