Japan's music scene is heating up this mid-June, with several notable releases and events capturing attention across genres and formats.

KIRINJI's beloved compilation "Free Soul KIRINJI" is getting a second life on vinyl. Originally released in 2014 as part of the Free Soul series, the album will see a full remaster reissue on four LPs on September 30th. Curator Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA), who has been DJing at Café Apres Midi for the past 12 years, noted in his statement that fans have repeatedly asked for an affordable vinyl version—many couldn't justify the high secondary market prices. This new pressing at standard retail price aims to make the curated 31-track collection accessible to longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Elsewhere, experimental composer and multi-instrumentalist Shuto Hasunuma is receiving a major retrospective. The August issue of cultural magazine ユリイカ (Eureka), shipping July 27th, dedicates its feature to Hasunuma's work, with contributions from artists including Sheep Literature's Moeka Shiozuka and renowned visual artist Tadanori Yokoo.

On the indie and pop-punk front, Creepy Nuts wrapped their live house tour "That Time Your Mouth Was the Hottest Thing in the Room" with a packed finale at Zepp Haneda in Tokyo on June 11th. Meanwhile, emerging artist 来来来チーム (Rairaira Team) dropped a new single "らむたら" today, exploring themes of seasonal transitions.

Okasaki Taiiku is marking a decade since his major label debut with the album "Bonchi Techno," which hits digital platforms July 3rd and physical stores August 5th. Details on the full tracklist and accompanying visual material have just been revealed, along with a track-by-track trailer video.

In TV news, Prime Video's upcoming drama "M.I.S.S.I.O.N. Operatic Undercover Agent," starring Toshiaki Michieda of Naniwa Danshi, will feature Shiori Kubo, Nagisa Shibuya, and Anna Ishii as university students surrounding Michieda's undercover agent character. The series launches in September.