You might have heard it before, but what makes it so interesting?
Mariya Takeuchi, one of Japan's most influential pop-funk artists that kickstarted the City Pop trend, photographed for her album Variety (1984).
“City Pop” has taken over the music scene on the internet… well, maybe not entirely. This kind of music is more like the people at a party having a good time in the room furthest in the back, hidden away from all the commotion. In short, City Pop is nostalgic for people who were never alive (or perhaps even in the country of origin) in its prime. Unlived nostalgia is certainly not uncommon today, as people still hail The Beatles, Queen, Frank Sinatra, and dozens of other artists as hallmarks of musical history. But what sets City Pop apart is that it simply isn’t an artist at all, but rather an entire genre of music.
City Pop album collection from City Pop Weekly newsletter. image from fontsinuse.com
If you live online you are bound to stumble across some semblance of it; TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter are rampant with memes, video edits, and lo-fi beats teeming with this groovy, colorful music. Most of these samples come from Japanese pop songs from the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s, their obscurity ranging from as high as several millions of views to scarcely double-digit numbers.
The term “City Pop” likely derives from the “vibe” common in most relevant songs; tunes with vibrant, funky beats reminiscent of the lively nightlife and atmosphere of Tokyo. One of the most viral and influential mainstays of this genre is Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love”. This nearly 8-minute long single from 1984 has spurred a growing trend of music behind the scenes of conventionally popular music. A simple funk-pop song about a girl pursuing “plastic” love in fear of heartbreak holds some magical quality that has captured the interest of upwards of 22 million people.
A TikTok trend of Japanese mothers reacting to City Pop songs goes viral. image from youtube.com
One might argue that such a genre devoid of heaviness appeals only to younger people, which may be mostly true. The "unlived nostalgia" of this genre stems from the tastes of newer generations, as the majority of exposure the genre receives is from young adults on social media, but there are some exceptions. According to viral TikToks of teenagers filming their Japanese parents singing along to these songs from decades past, there is still much of an appeal, or rather a true nostalgia, for music reminiscent of simpler times.
So, really, what makes City Pop so special anyway? It shows us that music doesn’t have to be complicated, sad, or even understandable to evoke feelings. Having that sense of simple nostalgia is a factor as well, but anyone can love it. At its core, all the genre seeks to do is make you dance in the shower, sing along at karaoke, or get you through a hard day’s work. You don’t even have to speak the language, you just gotta vibe.
And really, isn’t that what music is for?
CITY POP STAPLES FOR A GOOD TIME
Plastic Love - Mariya Takeuchi
Magic Ways - Tatsuro Yamashita
Miracle Love - Mariya Takeuchi
Stay With Me - Miki Matsubara
Shyness Boy - Anri
Ride on Time - Tatsuro Yamashita
I'm In Love - Tomoko Aran
Dress Down - Kaoru Akimoto
Flyday Chinatown - Yasuha
Telephone Number - Junko Ohashi
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