Posted on October 3, 2020 at 00:42. | Event held on Monday October 5, 2020 at 19:00 (JST)
Saoriiiii "Freepass License" (Download)
Saoriiiii has a new song out now on iTunes! The electro track was written and produced by SAWA, and it was recorded and mixed by Sasaki Kissa (Recoride). On June 24 will be held event "Honey" at Lounge Neo...
Posted on April 5, 2017 at 22:55. | Released on April 5, 2017
SAWA "ai ni iku yo"
Club-style female singer SAWA (MySpace) has a 5th mini-album coming soon. Included are tracks produced by Ram Rider and Jazzin' Park, and a remix by Nakatsuka Takeshi. A limited edition contains a bonus DVD. Audio samples at MySpace SAWA "ai...
Posted on March 21, 2010 at 18:29. | Released on April 7, 2010
Full-text search results for SAWA
Various Artists "Paraiso, no ongaku - Coffee House mona records no Hosono Haruomi-san Tribute Album" (12")
First released on CD last December, this tribute album to Haruomi Hosono supervised by Konishi Yasuharu (ex-Pizzicato Five) is finally being released on vinyl. Included are covers of Hosono's works, mainly performed in the spontaneous style of a musician playing...
Posted on August 12, 2026 at 00:08. | Released on August 19, 2026
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.70
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 5, 2026 at 10:57.
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
Various Artists "Paraiso, no ongaku - Coffee House mona records no Hosono Haruomi-san Tribute Album"
For three years, Konishi Yasuharu (ex-Pizzicato Five) has been holding a regular event series titled "Coffee House mona records", always featuring himself and a guest, each performing a song in turn. This year Haruomi Hosono once appeared as a secret...
Posted on December 22, 2025 at 22:23. | Released on December 17, 2025
Various Artists "REV.02" (Cassette/Download)
COMPLEX, the label of ayU tokiO, has released a new label compilation. Follow-up to "REV.01" (2020), this one is titled "REV.02" and also comes as a cassette tape. This time the whole compilation was recorded on a cassette tape multitracker....
Posted on November 26, 2025 at 22:34. | Released on November 26, 2025
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.64
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on November 3, 2025 at 11:41.
ayU tokiO "Star Call" (Download)
ayU tokiO has released this month a new single titled "Star Call". Watch the music video below! His previous original song was apparently "Family Contents" (2022). ayU tokiO's label COMPLEX will be releasing a cassette tape compilation titled "REV.02"...
Posted on October 22, 2025 at 00:20. | Released on October 7, 2025
Yuyakeshiwasu & Swlabrs "Shonan Psyche" (LP/Download), "Runnin' Away" (7")
Yuyakeshiwasu (Instagram, 𝕏), previously a band but now the solo unit of songwriter Yūsuke Hayashi, has been teaming up with the talentful trio Swlabrs for a while, and here comes a full-length album of the collaboration. The new album "Shonan...
Posted on August 28, 2025 at 00:07. | Released on July 31, 2025
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) 37th Anniversary
The "Tanzaku CD" format, a.k.a. 8cm or 3" or mini CD, is celebrating its 37th anniversary today February 21, 2025. Ten new titles in the nostalgic format are being released on this day. Find some of the release details below,...
Posted on February 22, 2025 at 01:31. | Released on February 21, 2025
SHURO "Town Pages" (Download)
SHURO (𝕏) is the unit of Yō Kurosawa (yawk) and Nozomu Satō (aka M. Lemon, plantar, of caméra-stylo, Fujin Club, Madame Croissant). It's the latest form of what started as Orangeade and later became conte, bands that featured other members....
Posted on July 25, 2024 at 00:39. | Released on July 24, 2024
Various Artists "16 Songs of Hirobumi Suzuki"
moonriders' bassist Hirobumi Suzuki celebrated last month his 70th birthday (on May 19). This tribute album consisting of covers of his various works (solo and with moonriders) was planned by Narisu Records and ayU tokiO, and kept a complete secret...
Posted on June 25, 2024 at 22:08. | Released on June 25, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.49
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 17, 2024 at 12:59.
bala "bala-llel world" (Download)
Girl artists & creators crew bala (Instagram, 𝕏, YouTube, TikTok) has just released a first EP! Included are the songs releaseed over the last year — "barla", "Heavenly", and "Tokyo Survivor" — as well as the lead song "Like...
Posted on May 1, 2024 at 00:03. | Released on April 19, 2024
Record Store Day 2024
Record Store Day was held worldwide on Saturday April 20. Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. Online sales in Japan have already started. Also...
Posted on April 23, 2024 at 00:54. | Released on April 20, 2024
Rie Aono "Tokyo Magic"
City-pop singer Rie Aono is back with a 3rd original album. Following two albums produced by Seki Yoshihiko — "Pastoral" (2017) and "Rain or Shine" (2022) —, the new album "TOKYO Magic" consists of new music written and produced by...
Posted on November 15, 2023 at 09:06. | Released on November 15, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.43
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 20, 2023 at 23:54.
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
bala "Heavenly" (Download)
Here comes a 2nd song from bala (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok), the collective fronted by singers MANON and SUNNY ONLY1, and also featuring art director DAN and 3DCG designer KANO. This new song has music written and produced by...
Posted on June 9, 2023 at 23:50. | Released on June 2, 2023
bala "barla (Shinichi Osawa Remix)" (Download)
The first song of bala (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok), "barla", has been remixed by its producer, Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso). "barla" was produced by Shinichi Osawa with lyrics by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella). Check it out on your favorite...
Posted on May 17, 2023 at 21:49. | Released on May 17, 2023
Various Artists "Ika-Ten Omnibus Album"
"Ika-Ten" aka "Ikasu Band Tengoku" was a famous TV show segment (part of "Heisei Meibutsu TV") in 1989 to 1990 that showcased up-and-coming bands (according to Wikipedia, 846 bands in total!). Over 30 years later, here comes a related album...
Posted on April 27, 2023 at 21:58. | Released on April 7, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.38
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 21, 2023 at 12:33.
moonriders "Happenings Nine Months Time Ago in June 2022"
moonriders released last year a new original album titled "It's the moooonriders" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), here comes an album that was made from recordings done in June 2022 over two days in the form of impromptu sessions that totaled...
Posted on March 15, 2023 at 21:31. | Released on March 15, 2023
bala "barla" (Download)
bala (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok) is a collective of girl artists and creators with an international background, featuring MANON, SUNNY ONLY1, art director DAN and 3DCG designer KANO. "barla" is their first single which is produced by Shinichi Osawa...
Posted on March 11, 2023 at 23:15. | Released on March 8, 2023
Mondo Grosso "Rave (Hungry Driver) feat. Dongurizu" (Download)
Mondo Grosso, the solo project of Shinichi Ōsawa, has just released a new song titled "Rave (Hungry Driver)". It features rap unit DONGURIZU who had also collaborated on Mondo Grosso's "B.S.M.F." which appeared on latest album "Big World". RHYME...
Posted on January 13, 2023 at 00:03. | Released on January 11, 2023
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
"Readymade mirai no ongaku Series - CD Book hen 09 'ocha to okashi to ongaku to'" (CD+Book)
Here's the 9th of the CD+Book series of "Readymade mirai no ongaku" has been released today! The guest this time is dessert expert Kaede Fujisawa, and the book and CD contents are said to fit perfectly together. The book has...
Posted on October 28, 2022 at 21:59. | Released on October 28, 2022
YMCK "Family Innovation"
YMCK is back with a brand new 9th album, titled "Family Innovation"! Taking for theme technology of the recent years and apparently posing as an imaginary company, they reflect on "innovation" and how it affects our lives and the music...
Posted on September 30, 2022 at 12:11. | Released on September 30, 2022
Je et Georges "III"
Je et Georges (or in Japanese boku to Georges) has a brand new but last album titled "III" that was released just recently. The band also comes as a new line-up, with in addition to Himeno Tama and Satō Yūsuke...
Posted on September 18, 2022 at 19:01. | Released on August 24, 2022
Gecko "Hydro"
Gecko is the electro solo project of Wataru Satō (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), also known as the pianist-composer of jazz band Gecko & Tokage Parade. Following the release of digital single "Fluid Tripper" in June (which was featured on Tokyo's Coolest...
Posted on August 7, 2022 at 00:27. | Released on July 27, 2022
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
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
Morio Agata "Urashima Nisenjuu Nendai Senshuu" (2CD)
Singer Morio Agata has released a 2-CD compilation of some of the best songs from his last 10 years (2011-2020) during which he released a total of 14 albums at the pace of at least one every year. This album...
Posted on December 30, 2021 at 23:39. | Released on December 22, 2021
Mondo Grosso "Mondo Grosso Official Best" (2CD)
Mondo Grosso, the solo unit of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), has just released a greatest hits album that's filled with tracks taken from the project's 30 years of history. Some new remixes, new mixes and re-edits...
Posted on November 8, 2021 at 09:16. | Released on November 3, 2021
Rie Aono "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Download)
Rie Aono, who released the album "Pastoral" in 2017, has just released a brand new single digitally! The song is an original, of which the music was written and arranged by The Bookmarcs' Horasawa Tōru, with lyrics written by...
Posted on October 31, 2021 at 00:58. | Released on October 27, 2021
Takako Ohta "Voice of Angel"
Takako Ohta, a singer and voice actress known for "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel" and many songs from the series, has just released a new album titled "Voice of Angel", her first in 31 years! Several self-covers are included, plus...
Posted on October 20, 2021 at 23:38. | Released on October 20, 2021
conte "Always Blue" (Download)
conte (previously known as Orangeade) is a pop band formed of three songwriters, Yō Kurosawa (yawk), Nozomu Satō (aka M. Lemon, of caméra-stylo, Fujin Club, Madame Croissant) and Shin Rizumu. Here comes their 2nd single released as conte. This...
Posted on August 26, 2021 at 23:03. | Released on August 25, 2021
Sato Yusuke "Utopia" (Download)
Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) has just released a new solo song digitally. In terms of solo works, this follows EP "Kilaak" released in 2019 (, Spotify, YouTube Music). Check out the music video below. Guitars were performed by Sawabe Wataru...
Posted on August 8, 2021 at 23:20. | Released on August 4, 2021
RSD Drops 2021 Day 2
Here comes the 2nd of Record Store Day's "RSD Drops" for 2021, following the first held on June 12. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST) on release day. Below are some picks for July 17, followed by some related...
Posted on July 17, 2021 at 02:04. | Released on July 17, 2021
RHYME SO "Poseable" (Download)
RHYME SO, the unit of RHYME (Bandcamp) and Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso), has just released a new song titled "POSEABLE"! Check out the music video below which stars Natsuki Mari in the grandma role, with scenes in the streets...
Posted on July 8, 2021 at 13:39. | Released on July 7, 2021
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.
Posted on April 19, 2021 at 21:02. | Event held on Sunday April 25, 2021 at 16:00 (JST)
Fairy Brenda "izure wa Sunshine" (Download)
Fairy Brenda is a rock band formed of guitarist and main vocalist Ryuji Sawa (Kuroneko Chelsea), bassist Tatsurou Nishiyama (Crazy West Mountain) and drummer Pen Ohhtani (The Radio Cassettes). The group has just released a brand new song titled...
Posted on March 28, 2021 at 23:59. | Released on March 31, 2021
Yuri Kirihara with Tetsuro Yafune Trio "Sophisticated Baby"
Singer Yuri Kirihara (nickname: Manbō) has a brand new album about to be released, which is produced by singer-songwriter and pianist Tetsurō Yafune and performed by his trio (with Katsuto Suzuki on bass and Ryūsuke Kakizawa on drums). The result...
Posted on March 1, 2021 at 01:02. | Released on March 3, 2021
Posted on February 11, 2021 at 00:37. | Event held on Sunday February 14, 2021 at 17:00 (JST)
Nakatsuka Takeshi & videobrother "TOKIO / Hashire Shoujikimono" (7")
Following the digital release of "Hashire Shoujikimono" (Spotify, ), cover by Nakatsuka Takeshi & videobrother of an ending theme of "Chibi Maruko-chan", here it comes as the B-side of a 7"! On the A-side is a new cover of...
Posted on February 9, 2021 at 22:56. | Released on February 24, 2021
Ryuji Sawa "FG&Me" (Download)
Guitarist and singer-songwriter Sawa Ryūji has just released a mini-album of solo acoustic demos. This mini-album, of which the title refers to his Yamaha FG280 acoustic guitar, had been available at shows on CD-R since early last year and later...
Posted on February 8, 2021 at 18:15. | Released on May 29, 2020
for instance "door that wind"
"door that wind" is the first album of for instance, the instrumental group led by Moonriders' guitarist Shirai Ryōmei. Taking the name from his previous solo album, "For Instance" (2017) (CDJapan, Amazon), the band features twin drums by Ōta Kōji...
Posted on January 24, 2021 at 11:49. | Released on January 27, 2021
Nakatsuka Takeshi & videobrother "Hashire Shoujikimono" (Download)
Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone) has just released a brand new track in collaboration with horn section band videobrother! The song "Hashire Shōjikimono" is a cover of an ending theme of TV anime series "Chibi Maruko-chan", originally sung by Saijō Hideki....
Posted on January 17, 2021 at 20:19. | Released on January 15, 2021
SAKA-SAMA "kimi ga ichiban kakkoii jan"
Lo-fi dream pop idol group SAKA-SAMA, who have since August 2019 been active as the duo of Suzuki Kokone and Asakura Mizuho, have just released an album of 28 songs on 2 CDs! Included are all songs from limited album...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 22:03. | Released on December 16, 2020
Skirt "Another Story"
Pop band Skirt, a.k.a. singer-songwriter Sawabe Wataru, has released just recently this album of re-recordings of early indie-days songs, before he joined label Kakubarhythm. The limited edition includes a Blu-ray disc of Skirt's 10th anniversary concert, held on September 5,...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 21:00. | Released on December 16, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.11
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on November 25, 2020 at 23:58.
Posted on September 3, 2020 at 21:26. | Event held on Sunday September 13, 2020 at 18:00 (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 17, 2020 at 21:36. | Event held on Saturday August 22, 2020 at 18:00 (JST)
RHYME SO "Psyche" (Download)
RHYME SO, the unit of RHYME (Bandcamp) and Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso), has just dropped a sudden double release of two versions of song "Psyche", respectively subtitled "Hoshi" (Star) and "Tsuki" (Moon). An impressive music video of "Psyche -hoshi-"...
Posted on July 18, 2020 at 00:56. | Released on July 15, 2020
RHYME SO "Fashion Blogger (Alternative)", RHYME "RETUNES Compartment One." (Download)
Here comes a 2nd new remix of "Fashion Blogger", the first track of RHYME SO, unit of RHYME (Bandcamp) and Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso). See the original's music video if you haven't yet. Also, RHYME has just released a...
Posted on April 30, 2020 at 22:12. | Released on April 29, 2020
RHYME SO "Fashion Blogger (Soft Rave)" (Download)
RHYME SO, the unit of RHYME (Bandcamp) and Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso), has been getting a lot of attention for their first official track "Fashion Blogger", of which the music video got over 2 million views in a month....
Posted on April 15, 2020 at 21:47. | Released on April 15, 2020
Suzuki Masayuki "All Time Rock'n'Roll"
Singer Suzuki Masayuki (aka Martin) is celebrating this year his 40th anniversary since his debut in February 1980 part of chorus group Chanels (later to become Rats & Star). This new album celebrates that with self-covers of Chanels and Rats...
Posted on April 11, 2020 at 15:24. | Released on April 15, 2020
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
Dé Dé Mouse "baby's star jam (Edit 001)" (Download)
Shortly following album "Nulife" released in December, DÉ DÉ MOUSE has just released digitally a new remix of early hit track "baby's star jam". And at the same time three earlier releases that were sold only at live venues...
Posted on February 3, 2020 at 23:02. | Released on January 31, 2020
Towa Tei "Arbeit" (2CD), "Future Listening!" (2x12")
Towa Tei is celebrating the 25th anniversary since his solo debut (album "Future Listening!" released in October 1994). Taking part in the celebrations are the releases of 2CD album "Arbeit", a collection of mainly production or remix works for other...
Posted on November 4, 2019 at 15:16. | Released on November 6, 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
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
Tsujibayashi Miho "ombre"
Singer-songwriter Tsujibayashi Miho (Twitter) has a 2nd album just about to be released! "ombre" is the follow-up to "Clarté" (2016). Included is a re-arranged band version of "Écran Le Blanc", song that was featured in Nintendo Switch game "Taiko no...
Posted on September 12, 2019 at 00:16. | Released on September 16, 2019
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
RYUTist "Sensitive Sign"
Niigata idol group RYUTist has a new single out now! Title song "Sensitive Sign" was written by Shin Rizumu, "suteki ni akogarete" by Satō Nozomu (aka M. Lemon, of Orangeade, Fujin Club, caméra-stylo) and features Kurosawa Yōsuke (Orangeade), and...
Posted on April 29, 2019 at 21:29. | Released on April 23, 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
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright" (12")
SOLEIL's 2nd album "SOLEIL is Alright" is being released on vinyl! As it has been with all their recordings and releases so far, this vinyl edition will also be in mono. All of the 12 songs from the album are...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:41. | Released on March 20, 2019
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
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.
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
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
De De Mouse "be yourself"
Dé Dé Mouse has just released a 7th full-length album! This is the follow-up to album "dream you up" (2017), since which digital EP "via alpha centauri" was also released. Check out the two music videos below. Amazon gives away...
Posted on August 8, 2018 at 23:41. | Released on August 2, 2018
Hirose Aina "Schedule of Afternoon Hours"
15-year-old singer Hirose Aina (ex-Peach sugar snow)'s solo debut mini-album has just been released. Produced by Seki Yoshihiko, also featured are songs written by Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service) ("otona ni nanka naranai de") and Shibata Satoko ("ikisugita tomodachi"), as...
Posted on June 26, 2018 at 23:29. | Released on June 20, 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
JiLL-Decoy association "JiLL-Decoy DUO ~ Zinger ~"
Jazz unit JiLL-Decoy association's vocalist chihiRo and guitarist kubota have been also recently active as JiLL-Decoy DUO, and here comes a first mini-album. The title "Zinger" is said to be a mix of "Ginger" and "Zine". Included are collaborations with...
Posted on May 13, 2018 at 15:38. | Released on May 2, 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
Mondo Grosso "Attune / Detune"
Follow-up to last year's "Reborn Again and Always Starting New" (2017), Mondo Grosso (aka Ōsawa Shinichi) has a new album out now! This time the songs feature vocalists including Yakushimaru Etsuko, ACO, Aina The End (BiSH), Ōhashi Trio and more....
Posted on April 1, 2018 at 15:20. | Released on March 21, 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
Kaede "ano ko ga kurasu machi (made ato dore gurai?)" (Download, 7")
Kaede (of Negicco) has released today a first solo single, of which the title song was written by Sawabe Wataru (Skirt). The B-side is a cover of Kirinji's "sore mo kitto shiawase". Both were arranged by Skirt. This is being...
Posted on September 20, 2017 at 22:45. | Released on September 20, 2017
"'Zen and Bones' Original Soundtrack"
"Zen and Bones" is a documentary film directed by Nakamura Takayuki ("Yokohama Mary") about Japanese-American Buddhist priest Henry Mittwer. This soundtrack features music by many artists including Nomiya Maki, Comoesta Yaegashi, Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Kishino You-ichi (La veuve...
Posted on September 17, 2017 at 23:51. | Released on September 20, 2017
Cutemen "Exhibition Of Love & Desire"
Cutemen, the techno unit of CMJK (early Denki Groove) and singer Picorin, has a new album being released! This is the follow-up to "Humanity" (2016) which marked their 25th anniversary. This new album's limited edition comes with a bonus disc...
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 20:08. | Released on September 6, 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
Record Store Day 2017
Record Store Day 2017 will be taking place this weekend, on Saturday April 22! As usual, many limited releases will be available at record shops only from that date. Below is a selection of some of the best stuff that...
Posted on April 18, 2017 at 22:15. | Released on April 22, 2017
Okada Tohru "Portraiture of T"
Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB., ya-to-i) has a new solo album coming this week! This follow-up to "kakū eiga ongakushū II ~Erewhon no roku de~" (2012) is actually his first entirely vocal album, with himself singing on every song. Featured...
Posted on November 20, 2016 at 21:11. | Released on November 23, 2016
Various Artists "Nippon Samba"
In line with "Bossa Brasilia 2016" just out last week, here's another groovy samba/bossa nova compilation selected by Itō Yōichirō (aka Akakage), though this one consists of all Japanese artists. Many of the songs included are from the 60's, with...
Posted on July 26, 2016 at 23:39. | Released on July 27, 2016
Saoriiiii "Nostalgy"
Saoriiiii (previously known as Saori@destiny until 2012) is back with a first mini-album under the new monicker she has been using for the last few years. A release party will be held this Friday April 1st at Shibuya Star lounge...
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 22:59. | Released on March 23, 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
Record Store Day 2015
Here comes Record Store Day 2015, to be held this Saturday April 18! On that day, people go to record shops to buy vinyl records available exclusively in shops on that day. No pre-orders or even online sales, at least...
Posted on April 15, 2015 at 23:37. | Released on April 18, 2015
