Cuushe "Tie"

Cuushe is a Japanese electronic artist who has garnered significant attention from international media, with her second album "Butterfly Case" being praised by the New York culture magazine The FADER as "PRETTIEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR." Her signature is her unique vocals layered over shimmering, melancholic sounds. Among DIY female artists who handle all aspects of songwriting, composition, vocals, and guitar themselves, her presence is truly outstanding. "Tie," the lead track from her latest EP "Night Lines EP," hailed as a new frontier in dream pop, features synthesizer melodies that evoke the 90s, likely resonating with a wide range of generations.

Colleen "I'm Kin"

Colleen is a French multi-instrumentalist who masterfully plays a variety of instruments, including the viola da gamba, cello, clarinet, acoustic guitar, recorder, and ukulele. Her transparent, delicate vocals and the sounds woven by the instruments she plays, centered around the viola, create an endlessly fantastical atmosphere. Her fifth and latest album, "Captain of None," maintains a minimalist aesthetic driven by the treble viola da gamba, while the key track "I'm Kin" guides us into an even more mystical world with its echo-effect vocals. This song showcases her diverse talent as a musician, influenced by her childhood fascination with Jamaican music.

Gregory and the Hawk "Fin Song 8 (Orange River Remix)"

Gregory and the Hawk is the moniker of New York-based singer-songwriter Meredith Godreau. Her second album "Moenie and Kitchi," produced by Adam Pierce (MICE PADADE), was released by the esteemed UK label fat cat records. She has performed in Japan several times, capturing hearts with her charming demeanor and pure voice. "Fin Song 8 (Orange River Remix)" is a self-remix from her debut EP "The Boats & Birds EP," whose lo-fi quality is utterly captivating. While her other simple and warm acoustic songs are also wonderful, I particularly love this combination of synths and transparent vocals, which somehow reminds me of the white breath exhaled on a cold day.

Spangle call Lilli line "nano - TK kaleidoscope Remix"

Formed in 1998, Spangle call Lilli line is a Japanese band with nearly two decades of experience and over ten original albums. The closing track of their second best-of album, "SINCE2," "nano - TK kaleidoscope Remix," features a self-arranged version of their early representative song "nano" and a remix by Yuri Miyauchi on DISC 2. This remix was arranged by TK from Ling tosite sigure, featuring artists like BOBO and Hidekazu Hinata from STRAIGHTENER. Kana Otsubo's relaxed vocals and the exhilarating electronic sound create a perfect balance, evoking a different world from SCLL's usual style.

Pascal Pinon "Þerney (One Thing)"

Pascal Pinon is a twin-girl duo from Iceland who debuted on the excellent German electronica label morr music. Their second album "Twosomeness," released when they were 18, was produced by Alex Somers, known for his work with Sigur Rós. The duo played almost all the acoustic instruments themselves, including guitar, keyboard, piano, glockenspiel, clarinet, harmonium, and bassoon. Their innocent, relatable vocals and heartwarming melodies garnered attention in Japan. "Þerney (One Thing)" is a song where their perfectly synchronized voices resonate with a comfort akin to whistling, like a sacred message from far-off Northern Europe, Iceland.