Tokyo's Coolest Sound

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 the music video below!

Other recent releases include EP "Soul Sugar", a 8cm CD single in collaboration with Zettai Wasureruna released for Tanzaku CD Day, and participation to several songs of Musement's album "Physical Ladyland".

Way Wave will hold an event on May 26 at Shibuya Oto, also featuring a live performance by usabeni, plus DJs arinko, Inuzaki and Ikkyū. Find details here.

Way Wave "nagasarete ikō" (Download)
WAY WAVE 「流されていこう」

Narisu Records
Out now (5/6)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Following the release of "you'll never walk alone" last month, OCHA∞ME (Instagram, 𝕏) is back again with a new song titled "Morning Routine". This song was written by member Yū Suganami, and the jacket and music video feature actress Shiho Niiyama. Watch it below!

On June 29, a show organized jointly by OCHA∞ME and Hazy Sour Cherry (two bands in which Tsuzumi is a common member) will be held at Shimokitazawa Live Haus. Details can be found here.

OCHA∞ME "Morning Routine" (Download)
OCHA∞ME 「モーニングルーティン」

Friendship.
Out now (5/8)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

D.I.Y.-style singer-songwriter kimriri (Instagram, Twitter) has just released a new song, titled "frame". Check it out on your favorite download/streaming platform. This follows the song "episode".

kimriri will be guest DJ on May 12 at event "Blue Boys Club", celebrating the birthday of Hideki Kaji and the release of his new album. The event held at Shimokitazawa Flowers Loft will also feature Hideki Kaji, Maki Nomiya and Magic, Drums & Love, and also DJs Blue Boys Club (Hideki Kaji and Kink), and in the lounge "Bend It!" DJs (Melime, Yamada Yūko, Nutty Nuts and Carole Ai❣️ (Jenny Jenny/Childish Tones)). There's a special discount for students and people from overseas. Find all details here.

kimriri "frame" (Download)

kimriri
Out now (5/8)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

OCHA∞ME (Instagram, 𝕏) has released in April a new song digitally, titled "you'll never walk alone", which is accompanied by a music video featuring the band's members in Tokyo streets, with a special appearance of bar and band social hub Poor Cow located in Shimokitazawa. The song's music and lyrics were written by member Imaizumi K (also a member of Mega X), who also illustrated the jacket.

This release follows 8cm single CD "ageless c/w sweet strawberry toast" released last year for Tanzaku CD Day, also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

On June 29, a show organized jointly by OCHA∞ME and Hazy Sour Cherry (two bands in which Tsuzumi is a common member) will be held at Shimokitazawa Live Haus. Details can be found here.

OCHA∞ME "you'll never walk alone" (Download)

Friendship.
Out now (4/10)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Rapper valknee has released a first full-length album digitally, titled "Ordinary". This includes previously released songs "WHITE DOWN JKT" and "BREEEEZE", and a whole lot of new tracks! Featured producers are NUU, hirihiri, Pianootoko, SEKITOVA, Bailefunk Kakeko and KUROMARU.

valknee will organize and be part of alternative rap event "Crash Summer" to be held on July 7 at Shibuya WWW X / WWW / WWW β. Details and ticket information can be found here.

valknee "Ordinary" (Download)

1. OG
2. LOOSE
3. SWAAAG ONLY
4. Load My Game
5. Even If
6. Over Sea
7. Not For Me
8. BREEEEZE
9. Watch me!
10. WHITE DOWN JKT

valknee
Out now (4/10)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"BREEEEZE"

Penny Arcade (Instagram, 𝕏), a guitar pop band formed in the mid-80s and originally active until 1989, has become active again since 2017 and now here comes a single of new music! The single is now available on 7", and also digitally via the label's Bandcamp where more information can be found.

The two songs are also available on download/streaming platforms separately: "Land of Glacier" (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY), "Norma Jean" (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

Penny Arcade can be seen live on May 19 at mona records in Shimokitazawa. Find event details here.

Penny Arcade "Land of Glacier" (7"/Download)

A. Land of Glacier
B. Norma Jean

KiliKiliVilla KKV-168VL
Out now (4/18), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

A second song by Cocopuff Club, the solo project of COCO (lead singer and guitarist of THE LET'S GO's), has been released on Bandcamp. Titled "Suki Na Yume", this one is sung in Japanese, and features additional drummer tae (of ORESKABAND). This follows the song "My First Tattoo" released in March.

This Friday, May the 3rd, 2024 is Bandcamp Friday!

THE LET'S GO's can be seen in Tokyo on May 3 at Nishi-Eifuku Jam, part of "Jam Fes 2024", and then on May 6 at Shibasaki Rathole. Find details and their full schedule here.

Cocopuff Club "SUKI NA YUME" (Download)

Out now (4/30)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

VIOLAVIE (YouTube, 𝕏, Instagram) is a new idol group that is produced by Emiri Kanou, and is formed of Konoha, Mitsuki, Marin, Mioha, Nico and Saaya. Their first two songs, "Answer" and "Birthday", were recently released digitally. Emiri wrote and arranged both, with the help of Hyoe Yasuhara (co-arranger of "Answer") and asobi virus (who co-wrote the music and co-arranged "Birthday"). Check out the sampler clip below, and find the full songs on your favorite download/streaming platform.

A CD edition is also available exclusively at shows and at Blute Company's official online shop (shipping within Japan). The CD contains bonus instrumental versions.

Dance practice and introduction videos can be viewed on the group's official YouTube channel.

VIOLAVIE "Answer / Birthday" (Download)

1. Answer
2. BIRTHDAY

Blute Company
Out now (4/24)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Sampler clip

The Pen Friend Club has released a new album titled "Back In The Pen Friend Club", the first featuring their new vocalist Niina (UK-born British-Japanese). This album consists of all covers, with the exception of a self-cover of original song "Tell Me (Do You Really Love Me?)". All are recorded with the current personnel, with the spotlight on Niina's singing. Check out the sampler clip below!

This follows 7" "Darlin' / doyōbi no koibito" which also featured Niina. In terms of albums this is the follow-up to "The Pen Friend Club" (also on vinyl) which consisted solely of original songs and was sung by previous previous singer Megumi. A split 7" of a song from that album was also released for Record Store Day 2024.

A lunchtime show celebrating the new album will be held on May 5 at Ochanomizu Kakado. The show can be viewed online from anywhere via Twitcasting, archived until May 19. Find upcoming schedule and ticket details here.

The Pen Friend Club "Back In The Pen Friend Club"

1. Got To Get You Into My Life (The Beatles)
2. Pleasant Valley Sunday (The Monkees)
3. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell)
4. For Once In My Life (Stevie Wonder)
5. Reach Out I'll Be There (Four Tops)
6. Let It Shine (Brian Wilson)
7. The Girl From Greenwich Village (The Trade Winds)
8. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli)
9. Hey There Lonely Boy (Eddie Holman)
10. Do You Believe In Magic? (The Lovin' Spoonful)
11. Alfie (Cilla Black)
12. Tell Me (Do You Really Love Me?) (The Pen Friend Club)

Penpal Records PPRD0006
Out now (5/1), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

Just one day after the release of Denki Groove's 32nd and 34th anniversary songs, here finally comes a more timely anthem: "Denki Groove's 35th Anniversary Song"! This third song was mixed by Tetsuya Kaneshige, and again features guitar by Satoshi Yoshida. Check out the official audio clip below created with AI tool Kaiber.

Denki Groove "Denki Groove's 35th Anniversary Song" (Download)
電気グルーヴ 「電気グルーヴ35周年の歌」
(Japanese title: "Denki Groove 35shūnen no uta")

macht
Out now (5/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY