Before there was J-Pop there was City Pop, also known as Japanese City Pop (or the Hepburn Romanization translation: Shiti Poppu). Japanese City Pop was Japan’s answer to the technological advancements in musical production and consumption during the 1970s and 1980s. It combines elements of soft rock, funk, jazz, R&B, and even disco, creating a smooth, upbeat, and often nostalgic sound. Explore its history and characteristics and find original Japanese city pop tracks for your creative projects.
What is Japanese City Pop?
It’s a genre that blends a bit of everything considered pop music. The essence of its sound is upbeat, smooth, and drenched in nostalgia, capturing the optimism and affluence of Japan during the economic boom of the 1980s. Artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, and Anri became the poster children for this genre with their slick production and catchy melodies. They helped define an era of music that celebrated modernity and the dream of a glamorous life in the city.
A Brief History
City Pop emerged during Japan’s rapid economic growth in the late 1970s. The rise of consumer culture and technological advances (synthesizers! The Walkman! Car tape players!) influenced the genre’s futuristic sound. Tokyo was transforming into a metropolis, with skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and nightclubs everywhere. People had more disposable income, and Japanese City Pop became the music of choice for the generation of young, urban professionals who wanted to enjoy life in the fast lane.
But City Pop wasn’t just for Japan—it had global aspirations. Many artists mixed English lyrics into their songs, hoping to reach an international audience. While City Pop did gain some traction abroad, it didn’t quite take off worldwide during its original heyday.
By the 1990s, as the world fell into a recession, musical tastes shifted, and the genre began to fade. City Pop was put on the back burner as J-pop and other styles like rock and hip-hop took center stage.
The Unexpected Comeback
Fast forward to the 2010s, and something fascinating happened—City Pop made a comeback. This time, it wasn’t Japanese fans leading the charge, but international audiences, particularly on the internet. The rise of platforms like YouTube and streaming services gave City Pop a second life.
A big part of the revival was Mariya Takeuchi’s track “Plastic Love,” which became a viral hit after someone uploaded it to YouTube. The song, released in 1984, suddenly gained millions of new fans thanks to its infectious groove and the magic of internet algorithms.
Soon after, other City Pop artists were rediscovered, with playlists popping up on streaming platforms and fans sharing their favorite tracks on social media.
Defining Characteristics
There might not be strict genre conventions that make Japanese City Pop easy to mimic, but a few elements from classic productions make it recognizable.
- Western Influence: City pop often blends traditional Japanese melodies with Western genres like funk, soul, and jazz. Western acts like Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, and Earth, Wind & Fire inspired artists.
- Sophisticated and Glossy Production: Japanese City Pop features high-quality production, often with complex arrangements, polished instrumentation, and a sleek, modern sound.
- Themes: City pop’s lyrics and mood reflect the glamour of city life, love, leisure, tropical vibes, and the era’s economic prosperity. Escapism, luxury, and freedom are recurring themes.
3 Japanese City Pop Music Artists and Creative Use Cases
- Pond5 Artist since 2022, IanSturgess spent their formative years touring Europe and Japan with rock bands. Now, they provide a catalog of over 160 tracks for your next project. The track Shinjuku Stroll (Japanese Pop, 80S Feel, Mellow, Urban) has a sad sort of longing feel, great for character development scenes, star-crossed lovers, post-break-up, or unrequited love.
- IchiHanzo, a Pond5 Artist since 2020 from the United States, has over 140 tracks in their collection. This joyful tune with a funky bassline, Japanese City Pop, Mellow And Chill, is a spirit-lifter and groove-shaker. Try it in your coming-of-age, feel-good indie flick.
- Japanese Pond5 Arist since 2020, ksakumoto385, has a collection of over 780 tracks! Aoyama Date Night comes in strong with a peppy tune reminiscent of a retro game show prize showcase. Lean into that vibe and use it as the backing track to your next commercial.
Japanese City Pop is perfect for adding a dash of retro flair to your next project. Whether you’re creating a nostalgic ad campaign, the next great indie film, or a viral video, consider the retro sounds in our curated Japanese City Pop collection to make your content shine. Subscribe to Pond5 for the latest tracks and immerse yourself in the urban vibe of original Japanese City Pop tracks.