Various Artists "Attractions! Konishi Yasuharu Remixes 1996~2010"
Konishi Yasuharu has started a new label called Readymade V.I.C., hosted under major label Victor. This first release is a 2-CD collection of his best remixes from 1997 until now. Included are 6 brand new remixes using Victor's catalog (marked...
Posted on January 11, 2010 at 19:14. | Released on March 3, 2010
Full-text search results for Happy End
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.72
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 12, 2026 at 10:00.
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day 2026
For the 4th year, Tanzaku CD Day was held on July 7 (same day as the Tanabata festival), following the 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions that revived the nostalgic 8cm CD format (3" CD/mini CD). This year again has many...
Posted on July 29, 2026 at 23:57. | Released on July 7, 2026
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.69
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 6, 2026 at 10:26.
Various Artists "Adventures in Modern Recording by TOHRU OKADA"
A tribute album for the late Tohru Okada (Moonriders, CTO LAB., Hachimitsu Pie), who passed away on February 14, 2023, has been released. Featuring all-female singers, it consists of all newly recorded covers of songs that he wrote. The singers...
Posted on April 26, 2026 at 00:39. | Released on April 23, 2026
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.67
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 7, 2026 at 12:00.
Hideki Kaji "Start A Summer EP"
Hideki Kaji has released a brand new summer-themed EP. Featured musicians are the two of Neil & Iraiza — Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda and Hirohisa Horie — and guitarist Kenta Ushio (Otogivanashi), with Misato (Crispy Camera Club) and Amaiwana on...
Posted on July 23, 2025 at 21:38. | Released on July 23, 2025
Towa Tei "AH!!" (12"/Download)
Towa Tei has suddenly released a brand new album titled "AH!!". The album celebrates his 60th birthday. Included are collaborations Yukihiro Takahashi & Haruomi Hosono, Takkyu Ishino, Verbal, Taprikk Sweezee & BAKUBAKUDOKIN, Ruka, Chappo & Miya (Älborg), and also featuring...
Posted on March 30, 2025 at 10:46. | Released on March 29, 2025
Maika Loubté "art of mani mani (Live at WWW X)" (Download)
Maika Loubté has released a first ever live album, of a show held last year on November 16 (2023) at Shibuya WWW X. It was a show for the release of album "mani mani", and featured special guests AAAMYYY, LISACHRIS...
Posted on December 7, 2024 at 01:17. | Released on December 4, 2024
Way Wave "Journey"
Funky soulful sisters unit Way Wave has released a brand new album, their first that is self-produced. Titled "Journey", it consists of all original songs which were written by the sisters (with the sole exception of collaboration single "Free My...
Posted on June 5, 2024 at 00:22. | Released on June 5, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.45
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 19, 2024 at 22:29.
Kidder Friendly Club "Kidder Friendly Philosophy"
Girl garage band Kidder Friendly Club (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube) has just released this month a new mini-album titled "Kidder Friendly Philosophy", which includes recent digitally-released songs "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" and "Endless Summertime Blues" (watch their music videos below). This...
Posted on December 29, 2023 at 23:12. | Released on December 13, 2023
Kidder Friendly Club "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" (Download)
Here comes a brand new song by 4-piece lo-fi garage pop band Kidder Friendly Club (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). "Kidder-chan is happy bunny" is a fun rock'n'roll tune in Kidder Friendly Club's distinctive style, about their mascot character Kidder-chan! Check...
Posted on July 26, 2023 at 23:52. | Released on July 19, 2023
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day
What's going on in 2023? Well, it's the 35th anniversary of the 8cm CD, also known as "Tanzaku CD" (or also 3" CD or "mini CD"), which was a very popular format for singles in Japan in the 90s. A...
Posted on July 8, 2023 at 01:15. | Released on July 7, 2023
Record Store Day 2023
Record Store Day will be held worldwide on Saturday April 22! Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. As always, there are no online pre-orders,...
Posted on April 15, 2023 at 23:40. | Released on April 22, 2023
Interview: The Courettes in Japan
Interview & translation by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Just one year after "Back in Mono", The Courettes made it to Japan to entertain, meet and greet their fans in Japan who seem to have been increasing very quickly. In...
Posted on March 28, 2023 at 12:32.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.37
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 16, 2023 at 23:56.
Record Day 2022 Day 2
It's still time to check out Record Day held a month ago on December 3, which had many great releases and therefore took me some time to write it up. It was the 2nd of two days, following November 3....
Posted on January 3, 2023 at 20:16. | Released on December 3, 2022
Cassette Store Day 2022
Cassette Store Day is happening this year again, on Saturday October 15, and many albums are being released in the nostalgic format. Below are a few picks, a bit coincidentally all from the KiliKiliVilla label (which puts a lot of...
Posted on October 14, 2022 at 22:38. | Released on October 15, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.32
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 14, 2022 at 13:08.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.30
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 12, 2022 at 09:00.
Jintana & Emeralds "Emerald City Guide" (12"), "Destiny" (12")
Neo doo-wop group Jintana & Emeralds's first two albums, "Destiny" (2014, , Spotify) and "Emerald City Guide" (2021, , Spotify), have just been released on vinyl! "Destiny" had been pressed on vinyl once in 2014 but quickly sold out, this...
Posted on June 2, 2022 at 22:43. | Released on June 2, 2022
Ayane Yamazaki "The Highway of Truth"
Singer-songwriter Ayane Yamazaki has just released a brand new album titled "The Highway of Truth". Like for her previous, "Ribbon" (2021), the music was arranged and sound-produced by Kei Maruyama. Listen to it on your favorite download/streaming platform. The artist...
Posted on June 1, 2022 at 23:30. | Released on May 20, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.27
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 13, 2022 at 12:49.
Record Store Day 2022
It's time for Record Store Day! This weekend on Saturday April 23 is the worldwide Record Store Day, and like always there are many releases happening in Japan too! Below is a list of recommended picks. Many releases in Japan...
Posted on April 23, 2022 at 01:33. | Released on April 23, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.26
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 14, 2022 at 23:51.
Morio Agata "Morio Agata Show Time"
In a series of releases for Morio Agata's 50th anniversary (active since 1972!), here comes a release of a legendary show from 1977 in its entirety. The movie "boku wa tenshi janai yo", directed by Morio, was first shown in...
Posted on March 23, 2022 at 13:20. | Released on March 23, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.25
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 11, 2022 at 01:26.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.24
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 February 11, 2022 at 00:14.
Mondo Grosso "Big World"
Mondo Grosso, the solo project of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), is back with a brand new album! Each song is a collaboration with different singers, Takao Tajima (Original Love), Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin')), CHAI, RHYME, DONGURIZU, and...
Posted on February 9, 2022 at 23:26. | Released on February 9, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.23
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 13, 2022 at 23:08.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Noël Nippon" édition 2021
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 December 19, 2021 at 02:42.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.22
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 December 9, 2021 at 23:13.
Record Day 2021 Day 2
Record Day, previously happening only on November 3 for "Culture Day" (a public holiday), has being held once more this November, on Saturday November 27. Also check out the post about day 1! Items can be ordered online. Below is...
Posted on December 4, 2021 at 00:54. | Released on November 27, 2021
Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five in hi-fi" (2CD)
After the three "Pizzicato Five On Demand" digital releases over the last three months (see the Takanami keitaro, Konishi yasuharu and Nomiya maki editions), here comes a Pizzicato Five 2-CD compilation made of songs from those that were made available...
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 11:29. | Released on November 24, 2021
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Konishi yasuharu edition)" (Download)
Following last month's "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Takanami keitaro edition)", here comes the second digital compilation of Pizzicato Five, this time focusing on songs penned by Konishi Yasuharu. The 32 songs (over 2 hours!) were apparently selected from Columbia's catalog...
Posted on October 20, 2021 at 20:35. | Released on October 20, 2021
Three Berry Icecream "Another World" (Download)
Three Berry Icecream (Twitter), the solo unit of Mayumi Ikemizu (a former member of the band Bridge), has just released digitally a brand new song titled "Another World"! This is a first cut from the upcoming album "Three Berry...
Posted on October 17, 2021 at 00:18. | Released on October 15, 2021
Interview: The Courettes × Seiki Sato
Interview & translation by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Rock band The Courettes is releasing its 3rd album "Back in Mono" on October 15th, 2021 from Damaged Goods Records (UK), and the album has the particularity of having been mixed...
Posted on October 14, 2021 at 20:00.
The Bohemians "essential fanfare"
5-piece rock band The Bohemians is releasing a new 10th album this week! Check out their new music video below for the song "the legacy". The songs "the legacy" and "the erina" were released in advance digitally (Spotify, (Japan)). The...
Posted on September 6, 2021 at 23:45. | Released on September 8, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.19
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, 2021 at 00:23.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.18
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 29, 2021 at 00:00.
RSD Drops 2021 Day 1
Record Store Day is happening this year, as two "RSD Drops" on June 12 and July 17! It seems in good shape looking at the impressive list of releases, with many good ones. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST)...
Posted on June 10, 2021 at 00:16. | Released on June 12, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.16
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 26, 2021 at 21:01.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Gum Gum Girl" (Download)
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who will be celebrating this year the 10th anniversary since her debut, has just released a brand new song digitally! "Gum Gum Girl" is being used as the theme song for Nintendo Switch™ game "Ninjala". Check...
Posted on January 30, 2021 at 00:55. | Released on January 29, 2021
Final Spank Happy "Smooth Escalator" (Download)
Final Spank Happy, the unit of Boss the NK (aka Kikuchi Naruyoshi) and OD (aka Oda Tomomi of CRCK/LCKS, DCPRG), has released this brand new song earlier this month. This follows album "mint exorcist" that came at the end...
Posted on December 28, 2020 at 22:43. | Released on December 11, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.12
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 December 24, 2020 at 00:34.
Record Day 2020
Record Day 2020, ran by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is just about to happen this November 3rd. Being on the same day as Japan's "Culture Day", it's a day off well spent doing record shopping. Record Day items are...
Posted on November 3, 2020 at 01:59. | Released on November 3, 2020
Nao☆ (Negicco) "gift songs", "Nanohana + Best☆Friend" (12")
Negicco's leader Nao is releasing a brand new mini-album this week! Included are songs written by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Neil and Iraiza), Chocolat & Akito, the band apart, and Lee HwangDae, and also one with lyrics written by...
Posted on October 11, 2020 at 22:45. | Released on October 13, 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.
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
Mom "21st Century Cultboi Ride a Sk8board"
23-year-old singer-songwriter/trackmaker Mom has a brand new 3rd album being released this week! This is the follow-up to last year's "Detox". Included are a few songs that were available in advance digitally (of which the music videos you can watch...
Posted on July 6, 2020 at 21:04. | Released on July 8, 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.
Ohtaki Eiichi "Happy Ending"
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of his debut, this new release of Ohtaki Eiichi works collects mainly songs written for TV drama since the 90's, all of which are previously unreleased! The album is available in a limited edition which has...
Posted on March 21, 2020 at 15:19. | Released on March 21, 2020
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
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.
Haruko Tajima "Happy Duty" (Download)
"New wave gyaru" Haruko Tajima released a new track digitally right at the end of 2019 (year that brought Japan a tax increase) titled "Happy Duty", and its music video has just dropped, edited in her always distinct style....
Posted on January 9, 2020 at 22:25. | Released on December 31, 2019
Final Spank Happy "mint exorcist" (Download)
Spank Happy's latest (or "final"!?) incarnation is Final Spank Happy! Credited members are Boss the NK (monicker of Kikuchi Naruyoshi) and OD (aka Oda Tomomi of CRCK/LCKS, DCPRG). After having performed shows for over a year, they finally put together...
Posted on October 1, 2019 at 22:36. | Released on December 1, 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
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
Chikada Haruo "Chikada Haruo Best ~ The Baddest Guy In The World"
Chikada Haruo, an artist active musically since 1970, released last November vocal album "chō jōdan dakara" which was his first original album under his name in 38 years. Just two months later he also released an instrumental album as unit...
Posted on February 12, 2019 at 22:24. | Released on February 27, 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.
Record Day 2018
Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to...
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 23:22. | Released on November 3, 2018
Nomiya Maki "Shibuya-kei Songbook" (2 CDs), "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji c/w Happy Sad" (7")
This new album by Nomiya Maki comes with 2 discs. The first is a collection of songs from her recent albums of the "Shibuya-kei Standards" series (released from 2014 through 2017), and the 2nd is of a previously unreleased entire...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:26. | Released on October 31, 2018
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Easy Riding / I'll Close My Eyes" (7")
Wack Wack Rhythm Band (official Facebook page) has a brand new 7" single out now! A-side "Easy Riding" is a brand new happy-sounding soft rock instrumental, while B-side is a vocal cover of jazz standard "I'll Close My Eyes"....
Posted on October 15, 2018 at 22:34. | Released on October 10, 2018
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
Nao (Negicco) "Nanohana"
For her 30th birthday (April 10, 2018), Negicco leader Nao is releasing a first solo single! The A-side has lyrics written by herself and music by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), while the B-side has music written and arranged by Hase...
Posted on April 10, 2018 at 22:26. | Released on April 11, 2018
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.
marino "watashi wa kouchayasan"
marino has a new 3rd album coming this month! This follows "Bathtub de chōshoku o" released in 2012. Recorded with a real band, the musical-like new album takes its theme from her own tea store which she has been running...
Posted on October 1, 2017 at 11:37. | Released on September 29, 2017
Kaseki Cider "Onigiri University"
Rapper Kaseki Cider has a brand new album out now! It had been almost 5 years since his previous original album "Mr. City Pop". Guests include Wakita Monari, Negicco, Mashiro Megumi (Hicksville), DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan, Satō Nanako, Matsuda...
Posted on August 2, 2017 at 22:00. | Released on August 2, 2017
Taketatsu Ayana "Lyrical Concerto"
Voice actress/singer Taketatsu Ayana has a 3rd album about to be released. It features an outstanding list of composers/producers including Takeshi Yokemura (YMCK), Hayashibe Tomonori (Plus-tech Squeeze Box), Mito (clammbon), Okii Reiji (Tweedees, ex-Cymbals) and Nakatsuka Takeshi among others. The...
Posted on November 1, 2016 at 00:29. | Released on November 2, 2016
Sugar's Campaign "mamagoto"
Sugar's Campaign, the super pop unit of producers Avec Avec and Seiho, has a brand new 2nd album out now! This follow-up to the excellent "Friends" (2015) has a general theme of "family". HMV gives away a pink promo spoon...
Posted on August 12, 2016 at 11:22. | Released on August 10, 2016
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "KPP Best"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a greatest hits album coming this month! The album consists of 2 CDs full of KPP's best songs so far. Also included are previously unreleased songs "5iVE YEARS MONSTER", "kanzen keitai" and "KPP ON STAGE". You...
Posted on May 2, 2016 at 00:31. | Released on May 25, 2016
Yano Akiko "Welcome to Jupiter"
Yano Akiko has a brand new album out now! With a concept of "adult techno music", this time she has the support of young trackmakers such as tofubeats, Seiho (Sugar's Campaign), Azuma Hitomi, Tomita Keiichi (Tomita Lab), Fukasawa Hideyuki and...
Posted on September 17, 2015 at 23:55. | Released on September 16, 2015
Hoshino Michiru "natsu nandashi" (CD+7")
Hoshino Michiru has a new single out today, and the title track is written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu! "natsu nandashi" is actually a hip-hop-ish answer song to Happy End's "natsu nan desu" (1971). The B-side is also a must,...
Posted on July 22, 2015 at 23:40. | Released on July 22, 2015
Gig report: "Frenesi school: The legendary end-of-business ceremony"
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I saw in 2014 was Frenesi, and it was a very special one. In November Frenesi announced that she would put a stop (though maybe temporary) to...
Posted on January 4, 2015 at 00:34.
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans IV"
Vanilla Beans have a brand new album coming, you guessed it, "Vanilla Beans IV"! Once again this comes with artwork that's both very non-idol-like and unforgettable. The album will include several brand new songs, plus the title tracks of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 23:24. | Released on February 3, 2015
The Lady Spade "Reverse Shaped Black Heart"
The Lady Spade (sono na wa Spade) have a 2nd album coming! This is their first with current singer ATG (aka AliceToGizelle). Also their sound is now electro and danceable with an amount of rap. Songs range from happy sweets...
Posted on November 23, 2014 at 10:18. | Released on November 26, 2014
Jintana & Emeralds "Destiny" (12")
Jintana & Emeralds' wonderful 50's-inspired album "Destiny" is getting a vinyl LP release! Jintana & Emeralds is a band featuring Jintana and Kashif (both of the Yokohama-based Pacific Pan Playa collective), DJ Crystal (Traks Boys, (((sssurrounddd)))), and 3 female vocalists...
Posted on September 14, 2014 at 21:45. | Released on September 17, 2014
ryo fukawa "life is music 2"
ryō fukawa (aka Rocketman) has a new album out this week, his second release under his real name. This album features guest singers Mizuno Mari (paris match) and Cana (Sotte Bosse) among others, with a cover of "love theme from...
Posted on July 22, 2014 at 23:10. | Released on July 23, 2014
Various Artists "Techpri Tribute ~Techpri Happy Ever After~"
Sendai-based techno-pop idol group Techpri (English name "t.c.princess") was active from 2009 to 2013, produced by electro artist Tobeta Bajune, with their last show held part of TIF2013 (the annual Tokyo Idol Festival). This tribute album features mainly girl-fronted units...
Posted on May 24, 2014 at 12:44. | Released on May 21, 2014
Jintana & Emeralds "Destiny"
Jintana & Emeralds is a band featuring Jintana and Kashif (both of the Yokohama-based Pacific Pan Playa collective), DJ Crystal (Traks Boys, (((sssurrounddd)))), and 3 female vocalists including hitomitoi. While having a nostalgic sound from another time, borrowing from Phil...
Posted on April 10, 2014 at 23:45. | Released on April 23, 2014
Various Artists "Konishi Yasuharu Presents daitokai kōkyōgaku -Readymade Digs Brunswick-"
Konishi Yasuharu selects light and sweet tracks from the vast catalog of Chicago's Brunswick label. Songs are featured in their latest digitally remastered versions, and the CD has a 16-page booklet with lyrics. Various Artists "Konishi Yasuharu Presents daitokai kōkyōgaku...
Posted on September 23, 2013 at 00:12. | Released on October 2, 2013
ryo fukawa "life is music"
Don't recall hearing of ryo fukawa? It's Rocketman! This new album has been released on his real name, Fukawa Ryō. Included are a few recent singles previously released for download only, such as "Mermaid" feat. Cana (Sotte Bosse). There are...
Posted on July 31, 2013 at 23:52. | Released on July 24, 2013
Gig report: Playtime Rock, BANK live at Saravah Tokyo
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday July 12 was a show of Playtime Rock, the Nagasaki-based band of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog). Nagasaki being part of the Kyūshū island in the south of...
Posted on July 17, 2013 at 00:59.
Gig report: Vanilla Beans, Nomiya Maki & BIBA
Text and 2nd photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. 1st photo by Kaz Sekiguchi, courtesy of Yoko Fujiwara. On July 5th was the 4th edition of Vanilla Beans' series of shows with a live band. Every time they...
Posted on July 11, 2013 at 23:34.
Gig report: blue marble, mishmash* Julie Watai
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 22 was an event presented by blue marble, a band that released first album "Valerie" (Amazon) four years ago to then sort of disappear. This was to...
Posted on June 29, 2013 at 11:26.
Ino Hidefumi "New Morning"
Electric piano player Ino Hidefumi has a new album out now! "New Morning" contains 8 new original songs, and also 3 covers of songs by Todd Rundgren ("Hello It's Me"), Julie London ("Cry Me A River" written by Arthur Hamilton)...
Posted on May 30, 2013 at 22:49. | Released on May 30, 2013
Ino Hidefumi "Cry Me A River" (7")
Fender Rhodes player Ino Hidefumi will be back this month with a new album, but first comes this 7" of a Japanese lyrics cover of "Cry Me A River" (originally sung by Julie London). This song features Suzuki Shigeru (Happy...
Posted on May 5, 2013 at 00:53. | Released on May 10, 2013
Gig report: Vanilla Beans band live with Kaji Hideki
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Until recently, Vanilla Beans had always performed their shows "idol style", singing karaoke over a backtrack of the music. Last year marked their 5th anniversary, and then came 3rd album...
Posted on May 3, 2013 at 20:01.
Gig report: Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong debut live w/ Living Astro
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday, I finally got to see an artist I had been wanting to see for about 15 years, ever since I got "Cloudy Cloud Calculator"! That's right, Takako Minekawa...
Posted on March 26, 2013 at 21:04.
Hanazawa Kana "claire"
This is the first album by anime voice actress Hanazawa Kana. This seems to have a good dose of Shibuya-kei, as the whole is sound produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), with some songs written by Kaji Hideki ("Library de...
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 23:25. | Released on February 20, 2013
Gig report: Saitō Neon Sign, Love & Revolution, Emmy Lee & The Psyzans
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday January 6, I went to an event at Koenji U.F.O. Club part of a series celebrating the 17th anniversary of the popular GS (Group Sounds)/garage rock oriented venue....
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 00:11.
Gig report: Happy X'mas with The Scooters
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Christmas day, I went to a show of The Scooters who got active again this year after some 30 years! Last summer was released new album "Une Manche et...
Posted on December 28, 2012 at 23:48.
Original Soundtrack "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo"
Konishi Yasuharu produced the music for TV drama "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo", about a 19-year-old girl who suddenly arrives to Tokyo to look for her father she hadn't met for 15 years. This series is from the makers of "Dekawanko" and...
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 00:09. | Released on November 28, 2012
Ryuichi Sakamoto "Three"
Sakamoto Ryuichi has a new album out now, together with his trio also featuring Jaques Morelenbaum (cello) and Judy Kang (violin). The album was recorded in Portugal following last year's European tour. It's his first album as a trio since...
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 23:34. | Released on October 17, 2012
Gig report: frenesi "gendai" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On September 15, 2012, was the release party for frenesi's album "gendai". It was held at Shibuya WWW, one of my favorite venues lately (it used to be a movie...
Posted on September 17, 2012 at 00:34.
Rocketman "koi Romantic!!"
Rocketman (aka Fukawa Ryō) has a new album out this week! This contains a few tracks that were released for download only over the past few years, but also several brand new songs. Featured are Verbal (m-flo) and Hatsune Miku,...
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 23:55. | Released on August 8, 2012
