How I fell in love with City Pop, and why you should too

You've probably seen this term thrown around these last few years, "City Pop," without really knowing what it meant. Sounds urban, sounds pop, but what exactly is it?

Well, that's the thing, nobody really knows anymore. Now, wait, before you close the tab and go about your business, let me tell you why that is, and why you should care.

I'm sure you've heard some City Pop by now, at least once. Like this, for exemple, sounds familiar?

Yeah, it does, doesn't it?

That's 1984's Plastic Love by Mariya Takeuchi, arguably one of the most influential figures of City Pop. That's where it starts for most people, in a YouTube recommandation bar. That's where it started for me, anyway.

But let's go back for a few.

City Pop, in the late 70's and early 80's, was used to categorize Japanese pop with a certain feel. You read me, feel, not genre. At this point, Japanese music had been heavily -and I mean heavily- influenced by US sound. The post-war relationship between the two countries left a significant mark on Japanese culture, and for about 20 to 30 years, you could see a ton of Japanese groups mimicking US country, rock'n'roll and other pleasantries. I know it feels jarring, but groups like these were the absolute banger in post-war Japan.

As such, a lot of the commercial stuff that came out were sung in English.

I could dive deep into the History of City Pop, but I'm no academician, I'm just a love-struck fan. Plus I don't think I could ever top that fantastic article by Rolling Stones, and they know what they're talking about.

But basically, you can say it all started here:

Well, not exactly here, of course, but Happy End, one of Harumi Hosono's first bands (he had many more) was most definitely heavily influential to almost all of what came after it. Hosono went a step further from the bands that simply mimicked western music, by not copying it, but by appropriating it. That starts by singing in Japanese, which is a bigger change than one might think, as the language heavily changes how the music is imagined by its composer, as is talked in this amazing interview of Patrick Bartley. That's the staple of City Pop. Appropriation of western music to make it its own.

"But hold on, Dina!" I hear you say, "You're telling me this folk thing-y is what influenced Plastic Love? They don't sound the same at all! And now you're linking an interview about jazz, what are you talking about, dumbass?"

Ah, but that's the thing isn't it? Plastic Love is City Pop, but so is Kaze wo Atsumete. Why? Cause as I've said, City Pop isn't a genre, it's a feel, or a mood, if you will. What defines it is appropriation of non-Japanese music by Japanese artists, but what kind of music exactly, that's non-specified. And, to be honest, it's a little bit of everything. There's folk, blues, rock, jazz, funk, disco, r&b, mow-town, boogie... there's also staples of Polynesian and Carribbean music too, artists like Masayoshi Takanaka and groups like Casiopea were masters of what Bartley calls "big island music."

And yeah, City Pop is all of that. But then, what's its backbone ? How can you tell if something is City Pop or not?

It's that certain mood it sets, that very particular feeling that is mighty hard to put into words.

But let's try, yeah?

Yosuke Kitazawa said that, most of all, it was "music made by city people, for city people," hence the joke about the music being so urban. And, well, that's just about it. City Pop was kicked into play proper in 76, with sounds like Lady Pink Panther by Shigeru Suzuki, but really gained popularity in the early 80's, when Hosono and Suzuki were joined by many, many, many more, like the man that was knighted "King of City Pop," Tatsuro Yamashita.

The early 80's were a strange time for Japan. The unemployment rates were at an all-time low, technology was booming and their soft power was growing. It felt like anything was possible, and music artists were enormously influenced by that feeling. New tools were invented that made making music available to almost anyone, labels had new ways to record, opening the way to many artists that wouldn't have had their chance a few years back. Believe it or not, it also was a fabulous moment for women, many of them had the chance to make it just as much as men, while gaining tremendous power over their own art. For the first time, women could become widely popular artists and sing about whatever they pleased. It seems obvious now, but Junko Ohashi singing Love Affair wasn't as easy 40 years ago. Before then, women weren't expected to make art that wasn't about the longing of romantic love from a man.

And yet, women were at the forefront of City Pop, even before some of the big names. You can't tell me that the absolute banger that is Singer Lady, isn't one of the best tunes of City Pop. And it came out in 75.

Walkmans, cassette players in every car, democratization of night clubs, all of that participated in the broad and popular appeal of City Pop. The 80's were really a moment set in stone when you could go out, seize the moment and not care about what came after, something undoubtedly lost by the hell that now became our world. Kinda makes you nostalgic, right?

See but that's the thing, I have no idea if anything I've said is remotely true. I never set foot in 1980's Japan, I wasn't even born in the 80's. But listening to City Pop still makes you nostalgic as shit for a time you never experienced. And that's because there's something in City Pop that encompasses all of its music, no matter the genre.

It's the inexplicable joy of being alive.

Now that doesn't mean City Pop is constantly all rosy, easy breezy, but even in the most wistful of songs, there's this unmovable hook to life that hangs on, no matter what, that just fills you with this feel, that is close to impossible to put into words. I tried, but I'm fairly certain I didn't properly explain what I feel when I listen to City Pop.

I'm afraid I never could.

"Well, that's nice, Dina. But now I'm keen on finding more about City Pop. But you've only given me like, four songs. And there's so much, everywhere, how am I supposed to sort out what I like? It's frustrating!"

Well, my friend, I got good news.

See, the reason I did all this -created a whole blog just to talk about this, I could have just went on Reddit or something- is because a friend of mine told me the exact same thing. So, what I'm going to do, is link you not a few songs, but entire playlists of the best City Pop I could find. That's right, playlistS, sorted by mood! Cause it's all about listening to the right song at the right time. I'll also link to a big ass playlist with all of them mashed together.

A quick disclaimer though: first of all, it's YouTube playlists, I'm sorry, I wish I could give you sweet Spotify playlists, but you'd be as angry as I am if you knew how little City Pop there is on Spotify. Also, those playlists are nowhere close to being exhaustive or objective. They're my personal favorite pick. I've been listening to City Pop proper for about a year now, almost daily, but I'm still discovering new things each time I take a dive, so I'll update the playlists from time to time!

So. Where should we start?

"Dina, I'm going out, it's sunny outside, I feel pumped!"

I got you covered.

This playlist is filled to the brim with stuff I put on when moving from point A to B. It's mostly jolly things to make you feel good about yourself. Works especially well while crossing a bridge in a sunny day, trust me.

What you'll find in this playlist:

Among many others, a lot of Taeko Ohnuki, undoubtedly one of the major figures of City Pop, whom I adore. I had to restrain myself to not put the entire album of Sunshower in this playlist, but I managed. The very first song, Summer Connection, exults a certain vibe that is so unique to Summer, I had to put it in first. It's immediately followed by Ride on Time by Tatsuro Yamashita, it was an obvious choice, and you'll find some more of his songs in there. Anri, Junko Ohashi and Junko Yagami are some of the most renowned and beloved artists of City Pop, so a lot of their work can be obviously be found here. You might recognize Flyday Chinatown by Yasuha, which has been remix very weirdly for tiktok. Yes, the remix is weird and y'all got to stop listening to it, I don't make the rules. Some of you may recognize the work of Yuji Ohno, the most prolific jazzman in all of Japan no doubt, and the one and only composer for Lupin III. His tune, Dancing Racoon, even appears in episode 106.

I won't make an enormous list of all the artists found in each playlists, most of them are beautiful artists that deserve attention, but I'm trying to drag you in by being as incentive and brief as possible, bear with me.

"Dina, I'm hanging out with friends, can you put some tunes to vibe to?"

Gladly!

This playlist is more chill than the first, I love to put some of that stuff to hang out, or when I'm cooking for example. It's not too invasive, but it'll still kick the mood up to 11.

What you'll find in this playlist:

Most of the artists from the previous playlist are still here, but you'll get to hear some Mai Yamane, which managed to stay so relevant most of you already heard her without knowing it. Real Folk Blues, the ending song to the smash hit Cowboy Bebop might be one that comes to mind. The first tune is by Kimiko Kasai, which is an amazing singer whose work very closely ressembles the of Diana Ross, she's also done some amazing work for jazzmen all throughout her career. You've got some Mariya Takeuchi, of course, the one and only. I must admit I'm really in love with some of her smash hit, but less enthralled by the rest of her work. But just for bringing me into City Pop, I have an undying love for that woman. Casiopea is among those big bands that were more into instrumental music, and who were heavily influenced by Hawaiian and Polynesian music. Hiroshi Satoh is an important name, as he and his group Seaside Lovers participated on bringing synth music to the forefront of the scene.

"Dina, we want to dance!"

Wow, you can really dance.

This playlist speaks for itself, really, but I guess it's the kind of music that won't please everyone. It sure as hell pleases me, though.

What you'll find in this playlist:

The first tune is by Noriyo Ikeda, which also was in the previous playlist. It was hard not to put the entirety of her smash hit album, Dream in the Street, but again, I managed. Sabishii Nettaigyo by Wink could sound familiar to those who played Yakuza 0. I haven't. Wish I had. Minako Honda's Sneak Away is one of the few exceptions in City Pop, as it is sung entirely in English, quite unusual for the """genre""" (I've put some quotes) but it's still a damn bop. Singer Lady by Hatsumi Shibata is obviously in this playlist, I love it, you love it, everybody love it, and it's one of the very early tunes of City Pop. I've also taken the liberty of adding some House music, which could be considered to be not City Pop. Still, So Inagawa and Soichi Terada are extremely important artists of the period, and I refuse to believe they weren't influenced by City Pop, and that City Pop wasn't influenced by them.

"Dina. It's 2am. I don't know what to do with myself. I want to wallow in self-pity and cry myself to sleep."

BOY DO I HAVE THE THING FOR YOU.

City Pop feeds on nostalgia. You'll find an impressive amount of tunes that just makes you want to go back. When? Don't know. But back. That's the whole reason Plastic Love got so popular 30 years later. Who checks the YouTube recommandation bar except for depressed people at 2am? A recipe for success.

Sure, you'll wistfully think about nothing while City Pop envelops your very being, but at the end of the day, despite everything, you'll feel it. This feel that is impossible to describe. The joy to be alive.

What you'll find in this playlist:

La crème de la crème, most of them you've heard at this point. I'd still like to direct you to Wandering by Hako Yamasaki, which is one of the most wistful, disturbingly beautiful tunes I've ever heard. It apparently was considered absolute trash at the time it came out, when she only was 17. So here we go. There's also the Winelight cover by Yoko Maeno which is, if I dare say, better than the original. Taiji no Yume sung by Sai Yoshiko is the most odd ball of these playlist. Composed by the man, Yuji Ohno, it's a beautiful mix of Free Jazz and Flamenco. Yes. I know. I've also added the main theme to The Castle of Cagliostro, Fire Treasure, because the whole point of this song and sequence is to make you feel wistful of when Lupin wasn't just sexist joke television (I swear some of the episodes that came out at that time were REALLY not good.) Happy End finally makes an appearance. I'm not a fan, to be honest, but this song really hits different. I've only put one tune by Masayoshi Takanaka, because there are 3000 versions of all his songs, and the best ones are found only in the full album.

I couldn't for the life of me sufficiently praise everyone that can be found in these playlists, but I swear, most of them are really good. I wanted to keep the playlists rather short, so I managed.

"Hold on, Dina. Wait. You said 'nobody knew what City Pop was anymore,' but never expanded on that. Are you a hack?"

You bet your sweet ass I am.

Here's the thing, even in the 80's, no one could really explain what City Pop was, in music terms at least. By now you must have understood that it's just a very, very broad term to explain why we love so many different things in Japanese 80's music.

But the term completely fell out of style in the late 80's and early 90's. City Pop was considered a thing of the past, never to be heard of again. But recently, Japanese artists have once more started to consider themselves as City Pop artists. And with the whole Plastic Love affair that has sparked a new fire for City Pop, the term has seen a resurgence. But now the term is even broader than it was before, and no one know what the hell is going on anymore.

Cause City Pop was supposed to be an answer to western music (sometimes even answering western music's response to Japanese music, it's a whole thing, check the Rolling Stones article) but now, it's gotten so big again western artists are influenced by it. Some of them are straight up stealing from it. So what's City Pop today?

Well, for me, the answer is : urban Japanese music that makes you feel that wistful joy. It's so broad at this point, who even cares? It's crazy how a Japanese version of Say So feels so much like City Pop, when the OG song isn't even supposed to be related to it.

"It just works." -- Todd Howard, probably.

So I've compiled a few recent tunes that very much translate well into a "recent City Pop" feel. Frankly, some of those could well have been made back in the days, and no one is gonna come and tell me "no that's not City Pop" cause no one can tell exactly what City Pop is. And suddenly my whole blog falls apart cause you can disprove everything I've said from the beginning.

I take it back, City Pop is a nightmare, run while you can.

What you'll find in this playlist:

The absolute unit of a man that is Shintaro Sakamoto. I swear, when I first heard Don't Know What's Normal, the first song of this playlist, I was sure it was an 80's tune. Turns out it came out in 2013. Suchmos is a marvelous group that capitalize on this urban nostalgia so good, it's impossible not to bring them to the fold of City Pop. Same goes for Call Me in Your Summer by She is Summer and Labyrinth by Mondo Grosso (man a lot of those songs are called Labyrinth, right?) And the man who made Stardust Pipeline for Space Dandy said he tried to emulate the same feeling you get when you hear Tatsuro Yamashita so he's in.

Yeye just makes me cry. I'm a sad insecure person, leave me alone.

And as promised, here's all the songs mixed together. I strongly advise putting it on shuffle.

Now I'm aware there must be a lot of stuff that's missing. Some of them because I don't personally enjoy them -though I see the appeal- others because even though I really like them, they're just plain fucking weird.

I'd still like to bring a couple of contenders that couldn't fit in the playlists. Those are all albums, so be prepared.

All of Me by Masayoshi Takanaka is just one of the best things I've heard. It's heavily influenced by Hawaiian and Polynesian music, has a great cover of Mambo n°5, fantastic tunes to hear in most chill situations and the weirdest, funniest cover of Star Wars I've seen out there. Check it out.

Sunshower by Taeko Ohnuki. Yes, I know, I've already put a lot of her in the playlists, but trust me, this album is a journey. It holds some of the more experimental stuff she's done, like Furiko no Yagi that just decides to start with a Joe Hisaishi-esque intro, just cause why not? I know some people hate the way she sings and finds her songs very boring (hey mom and dad) but if you like it, you'll love it.

Timely! by Anri. If I could, I'd put just the whole album in, but I had to restrain myself. It's just a lot of fun, you need to hear it out, preferably in a convertible, going fast on the highway with a seaside panorama, but that's optional.

I've put the first songs of Dream in the Street, but really the whole album is just great. Some might argue Noriyo Ikeda isn't the best of singers, but it grows on you, it really does.

And I couldn't for the life of me find EPO's Ru-pa-ra out of the entire album, and that's a crime. So here it is!

If you have time, I strongly recommend Sorry by Mai Yamane and Tokyo Special by Kimiko Kasai, two albums whose first two songs I've put on the playlists, but the whole things are really worth it.

I might update that list in the future.

So, here we are! I hope you've got a better idea of what City Pop is, and hopefully, you've kind of fallen in love with it too, now. If you have, I'm just really glad, not gonna lie.

You can come talk to me on Twitter, my DMs are opened and I'm fairly present. If you've found some sick City Pop tunes you'd want to share, I'm all ears!

I'd like to thank My Analog Journal for helping me discover a lot of amazing things these last few months, his playlists are absolutely top-tier and I strongly encourage anyone who even remotely likes music to check his channel out.

Also if I've said anything that isn't true, don't hesitate to come to me, I'm just a fan, I might be very wrong on a few things.

See you, friends!

DINA