The worldwide phenomenon of City Pop, the sophisticated Japanese pop music from the 1970s and 80s, is an extraordinary case of cultural rediscovery. Fueled not by traditional marketing, but by the unpredictable power of the internet and streaming algorithms, this music found a new, global audience seeking that perfect blend of Western influences (Funk, AOR, Boogie, Soul) and uniquely Japanese production polish.
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1. 🚀 The Catalyst: Rediscovered Essentials
The initial wave of the boom was driven by a few key tracks that were pushed to millions of new listeners via YouTube’s recommendation engine and streaming playlists. These songs are now the genre’s international cornerstones.
| Artist | Song Title (Year) | Key Rediscovery Factor |
| Mariya Takeuchi | “Plastic Love” (1984) | The primary catalyst. An unofficial upload went viral on YouTube, introducing the genre to a massive international audience through its melancholic, yet groovy, synth-driven sound. |
| Miki Matsubara | “Mayonaka no Door / Stay with Me” (1979) | Streaming and TikTok hit. This dramatic, soulful track with its strong saxophone solo became a viral success on TikTok and Spotify, cementing the genre’s appeal among younger listeners. |
| Tatsuro Yamashita | “RIDE ON TIME” (1980) | The King of City Pop. His technically brilliant compositions, complex harmonies, and funky rhythms are regarded as the gold standard of the genre. |
| Anri | “I Can’t Stop The Loneliness” (1984) / “Remember Summer Days” (1983) | Tropical and Mellow Groove. Anri’s albums, particularly Timely!!, are packed with bright, summery, resort-themed tracks that perfectly capture the genre’s escapist fantasy. |
| Tomoko Aran | “Midnight Pretenders” (1983) | Sampling Spotlight. Gained significant attention when it was sampled by Canadian superstar The Weeknd for his 2022 hit “Out Of Time,” validating the genre’s quality for mainstream listeners. |
| Eiichi Otaki | “Kimi wa Ten-nen Shoku” (1981) | Nostalgic Masterpiece. A foundational track known for its lush, complex Wall of Sound production and timeless, sentimental melody. |
2. 🌟 The Next Wave: Artists and Tracks Poised for Re-Evaluation
As the core hits become widely known, the global music community—especially vinyl collectors, DJs, and music producers—is digging deeper into the vast catalog of Japanese 70s/80s music. The next phase of the boom is expected to focus on Rare Groove, Japanese Fusion, and the genre’s adjacent styles.
| Artist / Genre | Song Title / Album | Reason for Expected Popularity |
| Taeko Ohnuki | “Tokai” (1977) / Album Sunshower | Foundational Sophistication. A contemporary of Tatsuro Yamashita in the band Sugar Babe, Ohnuki’s early solo work is jazzy, atmospheric, and highly influential, making it a critical next step for serious listeners. |
| Junko Ohashi | “Telephone Number” (1979) / “I Love You So” (1981) | Powerhouse Soul Vocalist. Her voice and her band’s arrangements are heavily steeped in American R&B/Soul, providing the authenticity that international fans are craving. |
| Toshiki Kadomatsu | “If You Wanna Dance Tonight” (1985) / “Tokyo Tower” (1985) | The Master of Boogie and Funk. Kadomatsu is known for his complex, funk-driven arrangements. His tracks are perfect for dancing and already highly prized by DJs. |
| Akira Terao | “Ruby no Yubiwa” (1981) | Cool, Adult-Oriented Rock (AOR). A smash hit that brought a mature, smoky, and melancholic AOR sound into the Japanese mainstream, appealing to fans of American soft rock. |
| Bread & Butter | “Pink Shadow” (1974) | Pre-City Pop Mellow. This duo’s music predates the full boom but carries a smooth, mellow, West Coast soft rock vibe that directly influenced the City Pop sound. |
| Yumi Arai (Matsutoya) | “Chuo Freeway” (1976) | Lyrical and Cinematic. Her early work is essential for understanding the transition from folk to City Pop, capturing the mood of a newly modern Tokyo. |
| Japanese Jazz Fusion | CASIOPEA (“ASAYAKE”) / T-SQUARE (“TRUTH”) | Instrumental Groove. Sharing the same high-production values and funky rhythms, instrumental Fusion groups offer the pure groove that is highly sought after in the global Rare Groove scene. |
This renewed appreciation highlights how Japan’s 80s music industry, backed by an economic boom, fostered a highly unique and refined pop sound that continues to resonate globally decades later.
