Please Note: I won't be keeping up with every single last bit of news here, just the most notable things (and even then, I have a tendency to slack off). If you want the absolute most up-to-date news, go to Shoko's official page and run the news items through Google translate (it'll work well enough).

October 14, 2012 - Merry Christmas from Bearforest Records~Bearforest no Christmas~

Via Bearforest Records, today it was announced that Shoko will be releasing a Christmas album on December 8th!

Titled Merry Christmas from Bearforest Records~Bearforest no Christmas, the album will feature two discs (one CD, one flexi-disc). No track list is available yet, but there will be 11 songs, with two bonus tracks. Included among the songs will be cover songs, self-cover songs, and two new songs. There will also be various bonus items available depending on where you order the album from (for overseason fans, it looks once again like one will have to use a third party importer like CDJapan's special order service to get the album).

July 11, 2012 - News Bits

A couple of items to note:

First, it's been revealed that Shoko will be collaborating with Masahiro Takekawa (Moonriders) on his upcoming album Dregs of Dreams, due out August 9.

Secondly, Shoko has announced on her website that she is changing how her name is written in Japanese script. Before it was written as 鈴木祥子 (all kanji); now, however, it will be written 鈴木しょうこ (her first name written in hiragana).

(Hat tip to あ on Twitter for the news.)

January 16, 2012 - Bearforest Handmade Vol. 3 Announced

One day after the second in the Bearforest Handmade series was announced comes the announcement of the third volume. On February 18, Shoko Suzuki will put on a special performance at Saravah Tokyo, where she will make a one-person multi-track recording in front of the live audience. The results from this recording will be released as Bearforest Handmade Vol. 3 in early March.

January 15, 2012 - New single: "Sentimental Loveletter"

From Shoko Suzuki's Staff Blog, Shoko just finished recording her newest single, titled "Sentimental Loveletter" (a performance of which has already been released on the live DVD Live at GB). The single will be another Bearforest Handmade release (like Weaver of Love ~Ai wo Oru Hito~), which probably means it won't see general release. Advance copies go on sale at Shoko's upcoming live at Aoyama CAY on January 29; no official release date has been released as of yet.

November 11, 2011 - "Golden Best" Official Track Listing

Per Per Shoko's official site:

1. I'll Be There (previously unreleased)
2. Natsu wa Doko e Itta
3. Swallow
4. Moon Dance Diner de
5. Sweet Sweet Baby
6. Ano Sora ni Kaerou
7. Sweet Thing
8. Kaze ni Orenai Hana
9. my love, my love
10. Yasashii Ame (album version)
11. Prive
12. Tada no Koi Dakara
13. Kikyou
14. Sugar Daddy Baby
15. Boukyaku
16. Gyaku Propose (Kari.)
17. Do You Still Remember Me? (single version)

"I'll Be There" is the original version of what later became "We Are Love," which Shoko wrote for Seiko Matsuda. "Yasashii Ame" is the version from RadioGenic, and "Do You Still Remember Me?" is the mix that was previously only available on the vinyl (and cassette) single releases of I'll Get What I Want.

October 26, 2011 - New Compliation Album

CDJournal is reporting that a new Shoko Suzuki compilation has been announced. Titled Golden Best Suzuki Syoko~The Ballad of Syoko Suzuki, it is set to be released through Sony Music Direct on December 21. The track listing (so far) is as follows:

1. I'll Be There
2. Natsu wa Doko e Itta
3. Swallow
4. Moon Dance Diner de
5. Sweet Sweet Baby
6. Natsu no Maboroshi
7. Kotoba
8. Kaze ni Orenai Hana
9. my love, my love
10. Yasashii Ame
11. Ajisai
12. Father Figure

"I'll Be There" seems to be a previously unreleased track. I'm not sure if it's a new song, or a cover of the old Jackson 5 (and Mariah Carey) hit, though.

September 24, 2011 - "You Take Me, You Make Me" single delayed, "Weaver of Love"

A bit late in reporting this, but Shoko's newest single ("You Take Me, You Make Me") has been delayed a month, to October 26th. Additonally, the track listing has been altered; instead of a remake of "Kikyou," the single will now have another version of "You Take Me, You Make Me," the "Drums extended version."

Also, Shoko recorded and released a new song -- inspired by the recent Utsukushi no Mizu show -- in CD-R format. The song is entitled "Weaver of Love ~Ai wo Oru Hito~" and is available in limited quantities through Shoko's online store and the AND ENDLESS online store.

August 1, 2011 - New single "You Take Me, You Make Me"

Shoko's Uplink Records page reports that Shoko is releasing a new single on September 28. The A-side of the single is called "You Take Me, You Make Me", while the main B-side is a studio version of "Is my love wrong?", which first appeared on Shoko's DVD+CD set Live at GB last year. The single includes three further B-sides, all of which are newly-recorded versions of older Shoko songs: "Swallow", "Kikyou" and "Sweet Sweet Baby."

Additionally, both "You Take Me, You Make Me" and "Is my love wrong?" are being used as theme songs to the theatre show "Utsukushi no Mizu", performed by the troupe AND ENDLESS. The page for "Utsukushi no Mizu" is here.

April 1, 2011 - New Puffy song "SWEET DROPS" written by Shoko

Natalie.mu is reporting that "SWEET DROPS," the upcoming theme to the anime and live-action film adaptations of the manga Usagi Drop, is to be performed by Puffy and written by Shoko Suzuki. Shoko has worked with Puffy in the past, most recently writing the lyrics for Puffy's song "Angel of Love," from their album Nice. back in 2003. The anime is set to begin airing in July, while the film is slated for release on August 20.

March 23, 2011 - Miscellaneous Info

Shoko was not injured in the recent earthquake that struck northern Japan, though the earthquake did force her to reschedule her debut concert with Kujira to Shoko on March 13 -- it has been rescheduled for May 4th. Shoko obliquely posted about the situation in a recent blog post on her web site, and also revealed she'd been recording in the studio recently.

Lastly, for anyone looking to purchase Shoko's music digitally, her past two singles are now available for MP3 purchase/download. "My Sweet Surrender" and "Aozora no Youni" are available at both Amazon.com and the iTunes music store. Additionally, "Aozoara no Youni" is available for purchase and download at HearJapan. Do note, however, that at all three places, only the A-side of "Aozora no Youni" (probably the stereo version) is available -- "Rock 'n' Roll Otoshidama" is not available. For "My Sweet Surrender," though, all seven tracks on the CD single are available for purchase.

January 27, 2011 - "Lucky Lips" PV

To celebrate the release of Shoko's and mini-album (as Sindee & Forestones), the official PV of the song "Lucky Lips" has been uploaded to the Bearforest Records YouTube channel. The video features a voiceover cameo by Maaya Sakamoto as the MC.

January 17, 2011 - New Unit -- "Kujira to Shoko"

It was announced on Shoko's official site that she has formed a new unit with Moonriders violinist Masahiro Takekawa, called "Kujira to Shoko." The duo will have its debut live performance at Aoyama Manda-La on March 13th.

Additionally, Shoko's site says Shoko plans to release a regular album later this year, which is welcome news indeed.

December 3, 2010 - "Aozora no Youni/Lucky Lips" single sleeve

The sleeves of Shoko's upcoming vinyl single release, "Aozora no Youni/Lucky Lips" have been revealed:

October 22, 2010 - Single & Mini-Album Track Lists

Couresty of natalie.mu, the track listings for Shoko's upcoming single and mini-album:

Aozora no Youni CD single track list:
1. Aozora no Youni (stereo)
2. Rock 'n' Roll Otoshidama (Live at Shibuya-AX, Dec. 17th 2009)
3. Aozora no Youni (mono)
4. Aozora no Youni (Karaoke)

Sindee & Forestones Sing Leiber & Stoller track list:
1. Sindee & Forestones Theme (stereo)
2. Love Potion No.9 (stereo)
3. Poison Ivy (stereo)
4. Little Bell (stereo)
5. Drip Drop (stereo)
6. Lucky Lips (stereo)
7. Sindee & Forestones Theme (mono)
8. Love Potion No.9 (mono)
9. Poison Ivy (mono)
10. Little Bell (mono)
11. Drip Drop (mono)
12. Lucky Lips (mono)

October 18, 2010 - New Single & Mini-album

It has been revealed that Shoko will be putting out several new releases this holiday season, including the debut mini-album from Sindee & Forestones, the group led by Shoko's alter-ego, Sindee Bearforest.

First to be released is a 7-inch EP (vinyl) split release credited to both Shoko Suzuki and Sindee & Forestones. The A-side is a cover of Eiichi Ohtaki's "Aozora no Youni" and is by Shoko Suzuki. The B-side, credited to Sindee & Forestones, is a cover of "Lucky Lips," written by the legendary rock and roll songwriting team Leiber & Stoller, and originally released by Ruth Brown. The EP is set to be released on December 22 through the galabox website, and is limited to 500 copies. "Aozora no Youni" will also be the A-side of Shoko's next CD single release, coupled with another Eiichi Ohtaki song, "Rock 'n' Roll Otoshidama." That CD is set to be released on January 26, 2011.

Also seeing release that day is the debut mini-album by Sindee & Forestones, a six-song cover album of songs by Leiber & Stoller. All three discs are apparently going to be released by Bearforest Records.

Lastly, I'd like to give a big thanks to those of you who have ordered items from CDJapan through this web site. Your actions are very much appreciated.

July 9, 2010 - Syoko's All New Official Website

Just days after Syoko's site moved to a new address, it moves again and gets a facelift. The old site located at http://syoko-s.sakura.ne.jp remains as an archive, but from now on Syoko's official site can be located at http://www.bearforestrecords.com. Be sure to update your bookmarks!

June 21, 2010 - "Syoko Suzuki Song Book 1" cover and track listing

The cover image and track listing of the upcoming compilation SYOKO SUZUKI Song Book I / Suzuki Syoko Sakuhinshuu Vol. 1 1989-2009 has been released, along with the track listing:

And here is the track listing:

Disc 1
1. Mune ga Ippai / Marina Watanabe
2. We Are Love (English Solo Version) / Seiko Matsuda
3. Mokushiroku / Shoko Aida
4. Pajama de Drive / Qlair
5. Yasashii Ame / Kyoko Koizumi
6. Mukudori / Mari Kaneko
7. Sumire Iro ni Hitori / Misato Hayase
8. Green Fingers / Mutsumi Inoue
9. Blue / Hikaru Nishida
10. Dakishimete Ageru / Emi Wakui
11. Koi datte ii no ni / Seiko Ishii
12. Watashi no Nozomi / Yumi Yoshimura
13. Kon'na Watashi wo Waratte / heaco
14. Kirei na Namida ga Tarinai yo / PUFFY
15. Shizuka na Seikatsu / Nana Kondou
16. Kuuchuu Teien / Miu Sakamoto
17. Kazemachi Jet~kazeyomi edition / Maaya Sakamoto
18. Life / Kaori Kawamura

Disc 2 (Syoko's Demo Tracks)
1. Pajama de Drive
2. Mukudori
3. Dakishimete Akeru
4. Watashi no Nozomi
5. Koi datte ii no ni
6. Kirei na Namida ga Tarinai yo
7. Kuchuu Teien
8. Life
9. Juugatsu no Drive (Previously unreleased song)

Sony's page for the album has the tracks in a slightly different order for disc 1, but the songs are all the same.

May 10, 2010 - New DVD, CD Releases

It has been announced via Shoko's official site and Uplink Records' Shoko site that there are several Shoko releases coming over the summer.

The first is a DVD+CD package of Shoko's live concert with Shinobu Kawai and Jack-tati at Kichijoji GB on May 9, 2010; that package is due to be released on August 4. The set list of that concert (taken from Shoko's Staff Blog) is as follows:

1. September Gurls (Alex Chilton) Big Star cover
2. Soshite nao Eien ni
3. Kuroi Yoru
4. Izon to Shihahi
5. #7 Shuffle
6. Namae wo Yonde~When you call my name
7. No Quarter (John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page/Robert Plant) Led Zeppelin cover
8. Omoi no Mama ni (Kazumasa Oda) Off Course cover
9. Sentimental Loveletter (New song)
10. Sickness
11. My Sweet Surrender
12. Kindan no Chocolate Angel (Jack-tati song)
13. Is my love wrong? (New song)
14. Shelter
15. Kanzen na Ai
Encore #1 Happiness?
Encore #2 I'll Get What I Want -Chou Tsuyoki na Onna-
Encore #3 Amai Yoru
Encore #4 Koi no Shotgun (Korinai futari)
Encore #5 My Sweet Surrender

Second, Shoko will be featured in an essay mook published by CD Journal, entitled 33 1/3 no Eien, which is due to be published on July 28th. Lastly, Sony Music Direct is putting out a compilation entitled SYOKO SUZUKI Song Book I / Suzuki Syoko Sakuhinshuu Vol. 1 1989-2009, which will focus on the songs Shoko has written for others over the years. The album will also come with a bonus CD featuring demo recordings from Shoko.

Additionally, Uplink Records has established a MySpace page for Shoko, though it is fairly bare bones right now; it does, however, have a bio in English for those interested. All in all, it looks to be a busy summer release-wise and promotion-wise for Shoko!

April 1, 2010 - "Namae wo Yonde~When you call my name" PV, new interviews

Thankfully, this is not an April Fools joke -- Shoko has released her first PV in ten years or so, for the coupling track of her upcoming single "My sweet surrender" (due out in exactly one week), "Namae wo yonde~When you call my name." The track is a bouncy pop number with great backing vocals from Shoko, and gets stuck in your head easily.

Check out the PV (and making of footage) here.

Secondly, there are two new interviews with Shoko available online. The first, at CDJournal, is with Maaya Sakamoto (who just celebrated her 15th anniversary; indeed, Shoko was a special guest at Maaya's recent anniversary/birthday live), and can be found here. The second is a fairly long interview at the Natalie music site, and can be found here. It's good to see Shoko is out promoting in full force for both "My sweet surrender" and the DVD release of Mugonka~Romances sans paroles; I'm certainly excited to receive my copies when they're released!

Lastly, Uplink (the company responsible for releasing both "My sweet surrender" and Mugonka~Romances sans paroles have set up a web site for Shoko, located here.