Tetsuro Yafune "Free Soul"
Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune has released a new album of covers, selected by Tōru Hashimoto (Café Après-midi, Surburbia). Backed by his trio (with woodbass and drums), the songs feature various female singers: Ann Sally, Miyuki Hatakeyama, Mineko Fujishima (Swinging...
Posted on July 5, 2025 at 21:49. | Released on June 25, 2025
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
Way Wave "nagasarete ikou" (Download)
Funky soulful sisters unit Way Wave has a new song that has just been released digitally. This new song "nagasarete ikō" comes ahead of their new 4th album "Journey" coming on June 5 (stay tuned for details!). Check out...
Posted on May 11, 2024 at 00:42. | Released on May 6, 2024
Musement "Physical Ladyland"
Musement (𝕏) is the solo project of Hiroshi Yabe (Controversial Spark, ex-Carnation). Having released a new album digitally in July 2023 titled "Song Pavilion", this album has now been renewed featuring several female singers, and with three new extra songs....
Posted on December 25, 2023 at 23:57. | Released on December 21, 2023
Posted on December 25, 2023 at 23:01. | Event held on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at 19:00 (JST)
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
Way Wave "Soul Sugar"
Funky soulful sisters unit Way Wave has just released an EP of three new songs! Check out the music video of title song "Soul Sugar" below, which features guitarist Miyake Shinji who wrote all of the EP's three songs....
Posted on December 28, 2022 at 00:36. | Released on December 21, 2022
Emiland / Way Wave "kemuri c/w kakkoii Boogaloo" (7")
This is a 7" split-single of soulful sisters Way Wave and funky soul band Emiland, each covering a song of Crazy Ken Band. Way Wave's track is a cover of "kakkoii Boogaloo" (originally a collaboration of CKB with Nagisa...
Posted on April 20, 2022 at 13:38. | Released on April 20, 2022
Way Wave "Venus Step"
Funky soulful sisters Way Wave has released today their 3rd album, titled "Venus Step". Included are "Wavy Girl" and "Dance Party" (both songs from their new 7" single), a cover of "kakkoii Boogaloo" (originally by Crazy Ken band & Nagisa...
Posted on December 22, 2021 at 12:13. | Released on December 22, 2021
Way Wave "Wavy Girl" (7")
Way Wave's latest two songs, "Wavy Girl" and "Dance Party" released digitally earlier this year, are now being released on 7"! Both of the songs were produced by soul & funk band EMILAND. "Wavy Girl" was written by EMILAND's...
Posted on November 16, 2021 at 23:04. | Released on November 17, 2021
Way Wave "Dance Party" (Download)
Funky soulful sisters Way Wave have just released a 2nd monthly single title "Dance Party"! Like the previous, "Wavy Girl", it's produced by soul & funk band EMILAND. This time the music and lyrics were written by Way Wave's...
Posted on May 28, 2021 at 00:47. | Released on May 26, 2021
Way Wave "Wavy Girl" (Download)
Funky soulful sisters Way Wave strike again with a new single out now digitally! "Wavy Girl" is a collaboration with soul & funk band EMILAND who produced the track, written by their front member and guitarist Ultra Emi. Check...
Posted on April 22, 2021 at 00:16. | Released on April 21, 2021
Posted on January 12, 2021 at 21:02. | Event held on Sunday January 17, 2021 at 11:00 (JST)
Way Wave "the supreme man c/w Looking For Woman" (7")
From their latest mini-album "Soul Punch" (2019), here comes a 7" single by funky soulful sisters Way Wave! Included are the P-Funk-reminiscent "the supreme man", which was written by Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service), and "Looking For Woman". Like...
Posted on June 13, 2020 at 21:59. | Released on June 17, 2020
Way Wave "Soul Punch"
Way Wave, the funky duo unit of soulful-voiced sisters Anna and Yuna, has a brand new mini-album that has just been released! Follow-up to the excellent "Show Time", this time they have teamed up with songwriters such as Sokabe Keiichi...
Posted on December 31, 2019 at 15:36. | Released on December 18, 2019
Enoshima Bakusou Gals "surume Boy" (7")
Self-produced new wave idol Kanou Emiri joins forces with soulful voiced sisters Way Wave in this new collaboration unit called Enoshima Bakusō Gals. Their first 7" single is titled "surume Boy" (surume = dried squid), a super catchy track...
Posted on June 23, 2019 at 12:21. | Released on June 26, 2019
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
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
Full-text search results for Way Wave
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.73
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 10, 2026 at 10:09.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.68
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 2, 2026 at 10:00.
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.
City Pop on Vinyl 2025
Saturday, August 2, 2025, was City Pop on Vinyl, held for the 6th consecutive year. Below are just a few recommendations that shouldn't be missed by Tokyo's Coolest Sound's readers. Also check out the full list where there's much more...
Posted on August 4, 2025 at 21:43. | Released on August 2, 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
The Scooters "Shindo Mitsuo presents The Scooters Complete Box ~Tokyo Disco Nite~" (5CD+DVD)
"Tokyo Motown Sound" band The Scooters (Instagram, 𝕏) are releasing a massive boxed set in honor of their leader Mitsuo Shindō, also known as the famous Shibuya-kei art director, who passed away on February 10, 2023, at the age of...
Posted on February 1, 2025 at 12:34. | Released on February 10, 2025
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.56
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 14, 2025 at 22:58.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.52
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 16, 2024 at 13:15.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.50
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 21, 2024 at 12:48.
Tetsuko "Curl"
Sweet punk trio Tetsuko (Instagram, 𝕏), a band formed in 1999, has just released this month a brand new album titled "Curl". This album takes some inspiration from their favorite bands such as The Beatles and The Hi-Lows, with touches...
Posted on March 27, 2024 at 00:04. | Released on March 6, 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.
City Pop on Vinyl 2023
City Pop on Vinyl is being held for the 4th time, on August 5, 2023. There are many exciting releases this time again, and below are some recommendations to Tokyo's Coolest Sound's readers. There's also a lot more to find...
Posted on August 5, 2023 at 23:05. | Released on August 5, 2023
Cornelius "Dream In Dream"
Here it comes! Cornelius' brand new 7th album "Dream In Dream" is about to be released! Included are the recent songs "Change and Vanish" (as released on 12", lyrics written by Shintaro Sakamoto), "Sparks" (released on 7") and "All Things...
Posted on June 25, 2023 at 00:02. | Released on June 28, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.39
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 19, 2023 at 14:29.
Various Artists "Roots of London Nite vol.1: Archive"
"Roots of London Nite" is a new CD compilation series selected and supervised by rock DJ pioneer Kenshō Ōnuki (Instagram, Twitter) who started in 1980 the "London Nite" event which is still continuing to this day. The music played at...
Posted on February 28, 2023 at 21:48. | Released on February 22, 2023
Perfume "Perfume Live 2021 [polygon wave]" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Perfume has released a new live Blu-ray/DVD of a show held in August 2021 at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama under the title "polygon wave". Watch the special teaser clip below. There's a limited edition, also available in Blu-ray or...
Posted on January 2, 2023 at 00:29. | Released on December 24, 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.31
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 9, 2022 at 13:25.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.28
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 10, 2022 at 08:54.
Perfume "Flow"
Perfume has just released a new single titled "Flow". The title song is the theme of TV drama series "Fight Song". Check out the music video below! Also included is a live performance of another new song, titled "mawaru...
Posted on March 11, 2022 at 22:53. | Released on March 9, 2022
The Courettes "Back In Mono" (Japanese edition CD)
Released last October on Damaged Goods Records (UK), which was followed by a wave of word-of-mouth in Japan, here comes the Japanese edition CD release of The Courettes' 3rd album "Back In Mono" (, Spotify, YouTube Music)! Two bonus tracks...
Posted on February 15, 2022 at 19:19. | Released on February 16, 2022
BUBBLE-B "Ambient for the Farthest Land"
DJ and producer BUBBLE-B, known for various activities such as his J-death techno label Speedking Productions as well as his units BUBBLE-B feat. Enjo-G and KARATECHNO, is back with a solo album of ambient music which has for concept a...
Posted on October 26, 2021 at 00:45. | Released on October 20, 2021
Haruko Tajima "Joshibi Mad Dog" (Download)
New wave gyaru Haruko Tajima had released just recently a new track titled "Joshibi Mad Dog" (which I somehow failed to notice right away). The self-produced track is described as a fast hyper pop tune at 201 BPM, and...
Posted on September 5, 2021 at 22:06. | Released on August 25, 2021
YORUWAKOREKARA "VOYAGE -midnight-" (Download)
Future soul idol group YORUWAKOREKARA (Twitter) has just released a new EP of 5 songs. As always the music is produced by Blackstone Village. Since the single "Stronger Like You", they had also released two other songs titled "OkiteYaburi"...
Posted on June 27, 2021 at 20:58. | Released on June 27, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.17
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 24, 2021 at 00:26.
Toshiyuki Yasuda "Once a Robot Sings (Piano Solos of Robo*Brazileira)" (Download)
For the 20th anniversary of the release of Toshiyuki Yasuda's album "Robo*Brazileira" (released in 2000) (, Spotify, YouTube Music) — a concept album on which a robot sang human feelings over Brazilian music — the artist did self-covers of all...
Posted on May 1, 2021 at 20:48. | Released on April 30, 2021
Haruko Tajima "Eccentric Seinen Boy" (Download)
New wave gyaru Haruko Tajima has released a new single titled "Eccentric Seinen Boy". Check out the music video below, self-directed as always, in which she turned herself into two eccentric dancing boyish characters! The track appears to be...
Posted on March 26, 2021 at 21:59. | Released on March 24, 2021
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "SKA=ALMIGHTY"
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra has just released a brand new album titled "SKA=ALMIGHTY". This follows album "tsugihagi Colorful" (2019). Included are theme songs from Kamen Rider, "Almighty ~ Kamen no yakusoku", "Kamen Rider Saber" and "tajū rokō", as well as...
Posted on March 6, 2021 at 01:00. | Released on March 3, 2021
Interview: BJ Rubin
Interview of BJ Rubin by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound)--> BJ Rubin is the New Yorker who is behind the eclectic TV show titled "The BJ Rubin Show" that's currently being aired on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). The show...
Posted on February 27, 2021 at 22:00.
80KIDZ "Angle" (Download)
80KIDZ have just released a brand new album titled "Angle"! Including some previously released singles that featured Maika Loubté, YonYon and mabanua, the album also brings new collaborations with singer-songwriter AAAMYYY and Thai synth pop band Polycat's vocalist Na. While...
Posted on February 20, 2021 at 23:36. | Released on February 17, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.13
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 28, 2021 at 01:13.
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.
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
Interview: Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi
Original interview text by Takashi Ikegami Translated from Japanese by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi (below "Mimi") is an interesting artist from actually many perspectives. First, there is the one where she expresses original works as the...
Posted on November 2, 2020 at 00:25.
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.
Posted on August 19, 2020 at 21:49. | Event held on Saturday August 29, 2020 at 12:00 (JST)
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.7
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on July 22, 2020 at 23:35.
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.3
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on March 26, 2020 at 08:00.
Blan( "Bleu & Vert"
Blan( (previously spelt Blanc) is the dance music unit of darkwave veterans Narita Shinobu (aka Shinobu, of Urban Dance) and Yokogawa Tadahiko (ex-P-Model) (both also of 4-D mode1). So far having only sold CD-R singles at shows and some select...
Posted on March 10, 2020 at 22:01. | Released on March 11, 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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.1
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's first official episode of its own radio show (following a Christmas special)! The show is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some...
Posted on December 26, 2019 at 01:31.
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
WHY@DOLL "futari de ikite yukereba / Love Story wa shumatsu ni" (7")
Girl duo WHY@DOLL have a new 7" single being released. A-side "futari de ikite yukereba" is taken from their latest EP "Hey!", while the B-side is a new 2019 mix of a song from a previous single ("kimi wa...
Posted on June 23, 2019 at 16:18. | Released on June 26, 2019
Lullatone "Music for Museum Gift Shops"
Nagoya-based unit Lullatone has already been around for 20 years (when counting their early days)! It seems like it was the right time to revisit their vast repertory, as does this 52-song album of almost 2½ hours. All songs were...
Posted on March 30, 2019 at 13:32. | Released on March 22, 2019
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
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
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
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
Scooters "The Scooters Comes Alive! (The Basement Tape)" (Cassette+CD+T-shirt)
The Scooters are releasing a first live album, recorded at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar on November 1st, 2017. The show also featured guest vocalist (and labelmate) Nakano Aya. This limited release comes as a cassette tape with a CD of the...
Posted on February 15, 2018 at 22:57. | Released on March 7, 2018
De De Mouse "via alpha centauri" (Download)
Dé Dé Mouse has a brand new EP being released digitally! This is the follow-up to "dream you up" (April 2017). "via alpha centauri" takes inspiration from the "Centaur festival" which appears in classic Japanese fantasy novel "Night on the...
Posted on September 12, 2017 at 00:27. | Released on September 15, 2017
Learners "More Learners" (12"), "Learners" (12")
Learners' 2nd album "More Learners", out on CD in January, has just been released on vinyl! Also, first album "Learners" was re-issued too. Get them while it's time! Learners "More Learners" (12") A1. Good Morning Learners! A2. Why Do Fools...
Posted on April 20, 2017 at 21:22. | Released on April 19, 2017
Gig report: The Scooters, Juicy Fruits, Kotaro & The Bizarremen at Shibuya WWW
Text and photos Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 5 was a show featuring The Scooters, and it was held at my favorite venue, WWW in Shibuya. Since their official come-back last year, after some 30 years, The...
Posted on December 14, 2013 at 23:51.
Cornelius "'Ghost In The Shell Arise' Official Soundtrack"
A few months back Cornelius made the music for theatrical anime "Ghost In The Shell Arise", and here's finally the soundtrack! This includes opening theme "Ghost In The Shell Arise", as well as ending themes "jibun ga inai" (salyu x...
Posted on November 23, 2013 at 21:53. | Released on November 27, 2013
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.
Gig report: Nosa Reina release party w/ Portable Rock, Nomiya Maki, Takanami K-taro
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 30, I went to the release party for Nosa Reina's first album "don't kiss, but yes". Producer Takanami K-taro was on stage too part of the band, more on that...
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 00:19.
Various Artists "Dancing After 1AM"
Indies rock compilation "Dancing After 1AM" album is from label Call And Response specializing in post-punk, new wave, often a bit on the noisy rock side, nevertheless a definitely pleasant listen for even my pop-oriented ears. Here are all new...
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 23:28. | Released on October 17, 2012
Various Artists "The Girl from Ipanema ~Antonio Carlos Jobim Tribute~"
Here's a tribute album to Tom Jobim featuring various young Japanese electronica artists. The whole is produced by Tobeta Bajune who has developed close ties with YMO and friends over the recent years. Sounds like a good way to revisit...
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 22:49. | Released on April 11, 2012
(((sssurrounddd))) "(((sssurrounddd)))"
(((sssurrounddd))) is the recently formed band of rapper Illreme (Kamoda Jun), Track Boys' K404 and Crystal (Crue-L Records). Described as a unique city pop album, this is the result of the three members' various backgrounds from the hip-hop, house and...
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 23:47. | Released on March 7, 2012
Gig report: (M)otocompo vs The Aprils, with BiS, Ezypt
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On February 4 was an event organized by (M)otocompo, together with The Aprils, BiS and Ezypt. It was held at Shibuya Milkyway, and it was my first time at this...
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 00:30.
Halfby "Leaders Of The New School"
Halfby has a new album coming next week on Second Royal. This follows "The Island of Curiosity" released in May last year, and also marks 10 years of Halfby! Check out the video below, and also the track "Tommy Boy"...
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 22:53. | Released on November 16, 2011
Gig report: Dorian "studio vacation" release party, w/ Luvraw & BTB, (((sssurrounddd)))
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound We've been enjoying some cool autumn weather in Tokyo lately, but last Friday was a hot summer night at Shibuya WWW where was held the release party for Dorian's "studio...
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 23:33.
Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah"
Here's what looks like a pretty good mix CD on the Shibuya-kei perspective, mixed by DJ Souljah. Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah" 1. WISE × underslowjams / City Lights 2. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra / utsukushiku...
Posted on June 19, 2011 at 14:32. | Released on June 22, 2011
Sakura gakuin "Sakura gakuin 2010nendo ~message~"
Here's the first album from idol group Sakura Gakuin. I'm bringing it up because the song "Dear Mr.Socrates", sung by sub-group Twinklestars (the "baton" section) is produced by ex-Cymbals' Okii Reiji, and despite the clear idol direction with the many...
Posted on April 28, 2011 at 00:19. | Released on April 27, 2011
Sloppy Joe "With Kisses Four"
The next offering from HNC's White Lily Records is this 1st full-length album by Sloppy Joe, guitar-pop band of five that debuted with a mini-album and 7" in 2006. Artwork is by Yuppa (HNC). A few audio samples at White...
Posted on February 26, 2011 at 00:21. | Released on March 9, 2011
nAo "Strawberry Heart"
This first album by singer-songwriter and model nAo is produced by Moonriders' Okada Tōru, who is recently also active as CTO LAB. Included are two songs involving The Aprils' Imai Kentarō (also of CTO LAB.), "My Sunshine" in which he...
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 20:52. | Released on January 26, 2011
EeL "for common people"
Osaka cute-electro-punk-future-pop indies artist EeL has a new album on the way, full of brand new songs! This comes on post-Vroom Sound label Stubbie Records. Check out the new video and sampler clip below. Also if you missed it, last...
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 22:27. | Released on January 26, 2011
Nakano Aya "zurui hito"
Trying to move on to 2011 but here's something I had failed noticing from last year. 25-year-old hostess Nakano Aya has a debut album released at the end of November that was produced by Hase Hajimu, consisting of various covers...
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 21:30. | Released on November 24, 2010
erectricmole "hōka no hirune"
Usagi-chang Records fans rejoice! The label's boss Suzuki Akira has started a new label, named flawless world. Now that's something exciting to look for in 2011 already! The first release is by new electro-pop unit erectricmole (MySpace). The unit is...
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 21:33. | Released on January 12, 2011
Dorian "Melodies Memories EP.1" (12")
Cuts from Dorian's excellent first album "Melodies Memories" are being released on 12". This first EP contains "Shooting Star", the collaboration with Nanao Tavito and rapper Yakenohara, song from 1st video clip "Morning Calling", the cover of Denice Williams' "Free",...
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 14:04. | Released on January 7, 2011
Rocketman "re:dancemusic ~rocketman non-stop mix~" (Download)
Rocketman (Fukawa Ryō) has done a non-stop mix of his own tracks, available now for download on iTunes Japan. Included are songs from his recent greatest his album "thank you for the music!" as well as latest single "Happy End...
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 12:51. | Released on December 22, 2010
Cutie Pai "oningyō to mahō no Restaurant"
Techno-pop idol unit Cutie Pai (MySpace) has a 2nd album out now, with the theme of a full course at a restaurant. The title translates to "The dolls and the magical restaurant". Featured "dolls" are Mayu-chan, eye-taso (aka Julie Watai),...
Posted on January 1, 2011 at 20:35. | Released on December 22, 2010
Gig report: CTO LAB., Candles, Hi-5, spoon+
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Monday (December 27) was my first occasion to see CTO LAB., a side-unit of Imai Kentarō (The Aprils), polymoog (Elektel) and Okada Tōru (Moonriders), which I had been wanting...
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 17:46.
Various Artists "There Was A Time ~The Beginning of Japanese Club Jazz~"
Do you like Japanese club jazz? Do you know its where it all began? Find out missing pieces on this new compilation, with U.F.O., Jazztronik, Monday Michiru, Mondo Grosso, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Chari Chari, Spiritual Vibes and more. Various Artists...
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 11:10. | Released on December 15, 2010
