With the motto “Let’s create breakthrough releases from our stores,” Tower Records’ Tower Recomen project sees buyers nationwide trust their ears and instincts to select artists before they become widely talked about, regardless of country or genre, and promote them across all stores.
Launched in 2006, this passionate promotional initiative selects releases each month through buyers’ impassioned presentations and votes, then champions them nationwide.
April 2024’s Tower Recomen selections have been announced, with five acts chosen: luv, Girl In Red, トンボコープ, Hwyl and Furui Riho.
April 2024 Tower Recomen Lineup
Listed in Japanese syllabary order
Girl In Red
「I'm Doing It Again Baby!」
Released April 12 (Fri.)
トンボコープ
“ファースト・クライ・ベイビー” (Tower Records Exclusive)
Released April 3 (Wed.)
Hwyl
“K/ERA” (Tower Records Exclusive)
Released April 10 (Wed.)
Furui Riho
「Love One Another」
Released April 3 (Wed.)
luv
“Garage” (Limited Quantity Edition)
Released March 27 (Wed.)
Tower Records Online: Tower Recomen URL:
https://tower.jp/site/series/tower-recomen
Release Details
Artist: Girl In Red
Title: I’m Doing It Again Baby!
Release Date: April 12, 2024 (Fri.)
Price: CD: ¥2,690 (tax included)
LP: ¥4,590 (tax included)
Limited Production Edition / Transparent Red Vinyl: ¥4,890 (tax included)
Format: CD: 1 disc
LP: 1 disc
Limited Production Edition / Transparent Red Vinyl: 1 LP
Label: Columbia
Release Overview
The solo project of 22-year-old Norwegian singer-songwriter and Gen Z queer icon Marie Ulven. Her debut album, “if i could make it go quiet,” has accumulated one billion streams worldwide. It won Album of the Year at Norway’s equivalent of the Grammys, and she was selected to open for Taylor Swift’s tour. Her remarkable success extends to Japan, where tickets for her first Japanese show at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM in January 2023 sold out immediately. For this second album, she teamed up with fellow Norwegian singer-songwriter Matias Tellez, handling not only songwriting but production herself and fully displaying her wide-ranging talents.
Tower Recomen Recommender’s Comment
Recommended by: 中内, Hiroshima Store / 廣川, Product Management Department
The second album—and first CD release—from the Gen Z queer icon whose headline show sold out immediately last year! Advance track “Too Much” has a catchy sound that will move beyond indie circles and win the hearts of a broad range of music lovers.
Artist: トンボコープ
Title: ファースト・クライ・ベイビー (Tower Records Exclusive)
Release Date: April 3, 2024 (Wed.)
Price: ¥2,500 (tax included)
Format: 1 CD
Label: SKID ZERO
Release Overview
A four-piece band that began activities in April 2022. Released last August, their first mini-album, “羽化,” entered the Oricon daily Top 50 and ranked first for several weeks at all five stores with a section for releases outside regular distribution. They have shown exceptional activity for newcomers, appearing at SUMMER SONIC 2023 and COUNTDWON JAPAN 23/24, providing a TV drama theme song, performing on television and topping Spotify’s viral chart for two consecutive weeks. This eagerly awaited second mini-album embodies the band’s present as they accelerate that momentum. Its title means a newborn’s first cry: having suddenly emerged into the world with “羽化” last year, トンボコープ now lets out a roar on the music scene.
Tower Recomen Recommender’s Comment
Recommended by: 長岡, Shibuya Store
This band is making an impact everywhere, from TikTok and selection for a drama’s opening theme to appearances at all kinds of festivals. There is no way today’s young generation won’t get behind a sound that sits right at the heart of Japanese rock! Keep a close eye on “ファーストクライ,” the first cry of a band that has emerged from its chrysalis.
Artist: Hwyl
Title: K/ERA (Tower Records Exclusive)
Release Date: April 10, 2024 (Wed.)
Price: ¥2,200 (tax included)
Format: 1 CD
Release Overview
Formed in June 2021, this three-piece comprises あきたりさ (vocals/guitar), クマダノドカ (guitar) and タケマトモヤ (bass). Clear vocals, carefully scattered rhymes and lyrics that capture ordinary days that are not always happy, along with harsh realities, resonate with listeners. Their signature song “暮らし,” released in 2022, gained attention on social media, and they won the JAPAN JAM 2023 audition, going on to perform at major festivals including ROCK IN JAPAN 2023 and MURO FESTIVAL 2023. This six-track mini-album adds four new songs to the previously released “安全地帯” and “さすらい.” A record of real life from Hwyl, representing ordinary Tokyo residents.
Tower Recomen Recommender’s Comment
Recommended by: 櫻間, Shibuya Store / 早川, Nagoya Kintetsu Pass’e Store / 高橋, Yokohama Vivre Store / 清水, Artist Creative Business Department
The unvarnished lyrics vocalist あきたりさ wrote after navigating the pandemic—a time of reflection on continuing in music—hit hard! The deft rhymes feel so good, and the lyrics about ordinary life and harsh realities deeply resonate with younger listeners, earning strong support.
Artist: Furui Riho
Title: Love One Another
Release Date: April 3, 2024 (Wed.)
Price: ¥3,300 (tax included)
Format: 1 CD
Label: Pony Canyon
Release Overview
A singer-songwriter from Sapporo, Hokkaido, who has sung in a gospel choir since childhood. Furui Riho began solo activities while at university and released the first digital single, “Rebirth,” in 2019. Humorous, honest lyrics and meticulously crafted grooves have attracted listeners. Based in Sapporo, the artist also performs in Tokyo and elsewhere. The 2022 debut album, “Green Light,” won the Hokkaido Block Award at the 15th CD Shop Awards 2023. Selection for Spotify’s RADAR: Early Noise 2023 brought further attention. A five-city nationwide tour began in late 2023. This nine-track second album brings together songs that helped propel the artist forward.
Tower Recomen Recommender’s Comment
Recommended by: 櫻間, Shibuya Store / 添田, Sapporo PARCO Store
Rooted in gospel choir activities that began in childhood, these songs weave in soul and R&B with a high level of craftsmanship. Selected to guest on Daichi Miura’s latest album, Furui Riho seems to be an artist drawing renewed attention within the industry.
Artist: luv
Title: Garage (Limited Quantity Edition)
Release Date: March 27, 2024 (Wed.)
Price: ¥1,980 (tax included)
Format: 1 CD
Label: luv / FTZ records
Release Overview
A five-piece band whose members were born in 2003. They began in June 2023 and are currently based in Osaka. Their fully self-produced music combines lyrics and vocals with a distinctive feel for language, diverse influences rooted in rock and Black music, and exceptional instrumental skills. Despite no promotion, word of mouth has drawn a growing number of devoted listeners. This is the band’s first CD release and includes “Motrr,” “Gum i” and other songs that have already become digital sleeper hits and appeared on numerous Spotify playlists, including New Music Wednesday, Soul Music Japan and Edge!
Tower Recomen Recommender’s Comment
Recommended by: 荻野, Shinjuku Store
For anyone who feels that recent crossover music is lacking, this has plenty to satisfy, with a strong presence of Black music! This refined sound is an absolute must-hear!
