Discovering Japanese City Pop: 15 Songs to Get You Started
An introduction to one of my favourite music genres.
Japanese City Pop has become one of my favorite music genres since I came across it in 2022. City Pop is a loosely defined subgenre of J-Pop that has experienced an extraordinary resurgence in popularity, despite originally peaking in the 1980s.
The genre is Japan's interpretation of various Western music styles and seamlessly fuses elements of synth, funk, boogie, disco, and soft rock.
The distinct and captivating sound of City Pop transcends language barriers, the instrumentation alone is enough for anyone to enjoy.
If you have spent any time on YouTube, Reddit, or TikTok in the past few years, chances are you’ve already heard some City Pop songs. The two most popular songs would be Mariya Takeuchi's 1984 disco-funk track "Plastic Love," and Miki Matsubara's 1979 hit "Stay with Me."
Despite not being successful domestically, "Plastic Love" gained attention when it was posted on YouTube in 2017 and eventually rose to prominence on the music discovery subreddit r/listentothis. The song's infectious blend of disco and funk, coupled with Takeuchi's smooth vocals, resonated with listeners and became a gateway for many to explore the genre.
Similarly, the inclusion of "Stay with Me" in numerous TikTok videos in 2020 not only propelled the song to the top of the Spotify viral charts but also contributed to its remarkable success in accumulating over 200 million streams on the platform.
If you want to explore City Pop for yourself, here are 15 songs to start with. This list features both popular hits and personal favorites, showcasing the diverse talents of 15 different artists.
1. “Sparkle” - Tatsuro Yamashita
We start this list with the first track from Tatsuro Yamashita’s timeless album For You. “Sparkle” is arguably his most popular song and undoubtedly one of the most iconic City Pop songs. It immediately grabs your attention with its guitar riffs and Yamashita's smooth vocals. It climaxes with a superb saxophone solo and at this point of listening I’m always on my feet.
Accessing more of Yamashita's music legally can be a challenge as he said before that none of his music would become available on streaming services. However, “Sparkle” was posted to his recently created youtube account so hopefully more of his discography will become available.
2. “Shyness Boy” - Anri
Anri is my favourite City Pop artist so it was a tough choice to pick "Shyness Boy" over her other classics like “Remember Summer Days”, “Good Bye Boogie Dance”, and “Last Summer Whisper”.
The song is featured on her 1983 album Timely!! and captivates the upbeat and summertime feel that the album as a whole has. "Shyness Boy" is about falling in love with someone who is - you guessed it - shy. It has an incredible sax solo and is a song that I never get sick of listening to.
3. “Sunset Road” - Reiko Takahashi (サンセット・ロード)
Released in 1984, “Sunset Road” stands as one of the four songs released by Reiko Takahashi during her short-lived music career. With its vibrant arrangement and Takahashi's mesmerizing vocals, the song creates a captivating atmosphere that immediately sparks nostalgia. The synth on this track is absolutely amazing.
4. “Midnight Pretenders” - Tomoko Aran
“Midnight Pretenders” is one of the many standout tracks from Tomoko Aran's album Fuyü-Kükan (浮遊空間). Released in 1983, the song showcases Aran's soulful vocals accompanied by a rich tapestry of synthesizers and funky basslines that create a more mellow sound compared to the previous three songs.
Interestingly, the song gained renewed attention when The Weeknd sampled it for his ong "Out of Time". This sampling not only pays homage to “Midnight Pretenders” timeless sound but also highlights the enduring influence and allure of City Pop.
5. “Communication” - Junko Yagami
While Junko Yagami is most famous for “黄昏のBAY CITY”, “Communication” is one of my personal favourites, partly due to the lyrics being entirely in English. Featured on her 1984 album of the same name, the song has this infectious grooviness that truly captures the essence of City Pop. The beat is extremely catchy and brimming with energy, setting the perfect backdrop for Yagami's vocals to shine.
6. “Mystical Composer” - Momoko Kikuchi
It's important to note that the term “City Pop” is so loosely defined that we see plenty of songs and artists thrown under this label when they do not meet its defining characteristics. When I first heard Momoko Kikuchi’s smooth but whispery voice, I wasn’t sure if it would fit well with a City Pop arrangement. Needless to say, legendary composer and arranger Tetsuji Hayashi made it work.
"Mystical Composer" is the second last track in Kikuchi’s renowned album ADVENTURE and adds a touch of tranquility to this list. Its soothing melody and soft vocals create such a soothing atmosphere.
7. “4:00 AM” - Taeko Ohnuki
4:00 AM” showcases Taeko Ohnuki’s unique artistry and captivates the late-night feel that its title infers. The lyrics revolve around one clinging to an empty relationship and eventually letting go. Despite the somber undertones, the song’s groovy beats create an intriguing contrast. With its chorus, guitar riffs, and flute arrangement, I cannot emphasize how much of a vibe this track is.
8. “Rouge no Dengon” - Yumi Matsutoya
“Rouge no Dengon” was featured in the opening credits of Kiki’s Delivery Service and in Makoto Shinkai’s newest film Suzume. Yumi Matsutoya released this track under her maiden name for her 1975 album COBALT HOUR. It’s a timeless gem that has such a nostalgic and delicate sound.
Funny enough, the lyrics are about a woman finding out her lover cheated and then telling his mom and leaving him a letter written with her rouge lipstick, hence the song name.
9. “NEVER ENDING SUMMER” - Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe
Summer is an ever-present motif in City Pop that is synonymous with Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe's 1985 album Another Summer. “ふたりの夏物語 (Futari no Natsu Monogatari) NEVER ENDING SUMMER” is a vibrant song that really paints a picture of sun-soaked days and warm breezes. Its lyrics describe a summer romance and the memories that come from it.
So, if you ever need a good song to listen to in the summertime while driving with the windows down, this is it.
10. “Dress Down” - Kaoru Akitomo
"Dress Down" is the iconic track from Kaoru Akitomo’s 1986 album Cologne. I love the intro’s crescendo and it reminds me of the sound of an item box breaking in the older Mario Kart games. This track feels so intimate and Akitomo’s vocals shine with such soulful maturity despite her being 22 when it was released.
11. “Cupid” - Miki Matsubara
Featured as the sixth track on Matsubara’s 1981 album of the same name, “Cupid” is an underrated gem that deserves greater recognition, similar to many of her other songs. The majority of love songs cannot match the sense of vulnerability and infatuation that this song makes me feel. The blend of the darker and more mysterious piano parts alongside the delicacy of her vocals and the trumpet make for such a unique song.
12. “Fly-day Chinatown” - Yasuha
“Fly-day Chinatown” instantly grabs you with its upbeat energy and Yasuha's distinctive voice. It was her 1981 debut single and I’m surprised that it was not too successful when it was released because it is so catchy. The lyrics are about her experience travelling and the cover art matches them and the overall vibe of the song perfectly. I have to mention that fly-day and Friday are both written as furaidei in Japanese since many people believe Yasuha originally meant the latter.
13. “Love Was Really Gone” - Makoto Matsushita
“Love Was Really Gone” is a song that I think would have made The Billboard Hot 100 if it was released in the United States. The lyrics are entirely in English and delve into the theme of lost love. Makoto Matsushita's smooth vocals alongside the rich instrumentation create such a dynamic and emotional sound.
14. “Machi No Dorufin” - Kingo Hamada
I searched for this song in the past with no luck after seeing it in memes many years ago. “Machi No Dorufin” is one of the many standout tracks from Kingo Hamada’s 1982 album midnight cruisin’. It's a cheerful track with a more laid-back and relaxed feel. It has some great basswork and sax parts as well.
15. “Isoide! Hatsukoi” - Yu Hayami
“Isoide! Hatsukoi” is Yu Hayami’s 1982 debut single and another one of my personal favourites that deserves more love. The title translates to “Hurry Up, First Love! " and the lyrics are obviously about love. From the intro to the chorus, this song is incredibly catchy and has such a youthful feel to it.
And there you have it! These 15 songs merely scratch the surface of City Pop. There are still countless other tracks that I could not include so if my selection was not quite your cup of tea, I highly encourage you to further explore this incredible genre for yourself. Happy listening!