Japan and its lively modern pop culture are known for their prominence worldwide. From anime to manga, to popular video games such as Tekken, Street Fighter, and Metal Gear, to Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, to J-pop, to name a few.

J-pop is big, so I’d like to zero in on a sub-genre that has seen a re-emergence this past few years: City Pop.

City Pop is “a loosely defined form of Japanese pop music that emerged in the late 1970s and peaked in popularity during the 80s up to the early 90s.” It is Western-influenced music that Japan absorbed and regurgitated that came out in various styles, including disco, funk, soft-rock, AOR (adult-oriented rock), and pop, which was then dubbed as ‘new music.’

Particularly, City Pop is the sound of a bustling metropolis such as Tokyo or any other neon-lit city in Japan's nightlife. And while I haven’t been, I can imagine the clubs, bars, and popular night spots of a booming 80s-era Tokyo beating along the eclectic sound of this music style. It is a fusion of several music styles that was trendy at the time. It could be jazz, R&B, or synth-pop; if it drew its inspiration from or captured the essence or conjured up images of the hustle and bustle of urban life, then it’s City Pop.

And it is as popular today as it has ever been.

If you’re curious, here’s a playlist to get you started on City Pop.

Search any playlist about City Pop and Miki Matsubara’s “Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me” is top on the list. Originally released in May 1979, this upbeat, catchy pop piece has become a classic. Stylistically, one can hear elements of disco, funk, and pop. With its lively brass and funk guitar that runs alongside Miki Matsubara’s honeyed tones, it’s impossible not to head-bob along to this song even if we don’t understand Japanese (about a woman who wants a lover to stay with her after a particularly special night). The English lyrics on the hook chorus certainly helped its initial relatability, but Matsubara’s vibrant performance aces it.

“Midnight Pretenders” by Tomoko Aran is right up there, too, with its relaxed and clean-cut AOR sound. Tomoko is a big name in City Pop and has been recording albums since she debuted when she was 19 years old, back in 1981. Images of slick-styled 80s fashionistas come to mind as I listen to “Midnight Pretenders.”

“Plastic Love” by Mariya Takeuchi likewise takes Japanese 80s cool to another level with this smooth, vibrant track. Released in 1984 (a wondrous year in pop music, if I may add), “Plastic Love” verges on smooth pop jazz that reminds me of U.K.’s Workshy of the 90s. Written by Takeuchi about a woman taking on a hedonistic lifestyle after a bad breakup, the edge is masked only by its sweet melodies. My favorite part of the track hits at 3’51” when the outro chorus kicks in. “Plastic Love” indeed.

Much like our previous tracks, “Just A Joke” by Yuri Kokubu emanates a definite 80s vibe. Smooth jazz-pop, to be exact. This 1983 track must’ve sounded cool then as it does now.

This is just scratching the surface of this beloved Japanese music import. If you want more, go to your streaming platform of choice and type in “City Pop.” It’s that easy.

Props to @itsjmaine on Instagram for the inspiration of this piece.