🎵 Japan’s City Pop: The Retro Soundtrack Making a Comeback in 2025

Yesterday morning, I opened my browser and was greeted by something unexpected—Google’s front page was celebrating Japan’s City Pop. I’ll admit, I wasn’t familiar with the term. But the colorful artwork and nostalgic vibe caught my attention. A quick search later, I found myself diving headfirst into a musical genre I never knew I’d love: a uniquely Japanese blend of disco, funk, soft rock, and smooth grooves from the late ’70s and ’80s. And it turns out, City Pop is having a major comeback—not just in Japan, but around the world.

🌆 What is City Pop?

City Pop (シティ・ポップ) is a genre of Japanese music that emerged during the country’s booming postwar economy, particularly in the late 1970s through the 1980s. It’s a soundtrack to modern life in urban Japan—a time when cities like Tokyo were thriving, technology was rapidly evolving, and optimism was high.

The music itself is a stylish mix: picture slick guitar solos, jazzy saxophone lines, synth-heavy melodies, funky bass, and breezy vocals. City Pop drew from Western influences like American soft rock, R&B, jazz fusion, and disco—but with a distinct Japanese flavor and production quality that made it feel both familiar and new.

It was the sound of leisure, neon lights, driving by the sea in a Toyota Soarer, or relaxing on a summer night. It was—and still is—feel-good music with depth and groove.

📀 Why Did It Fade Away?

By the 1990s, City Pop gradually fell out of fashion as musical tastes shifted toward J-Pop idols, grunge, and electronic styles. For a while, many artists from the City Pop era faded into obscurity—except for hardcore fans and record collectors who held onto vinyls and cassette tapes from the golden years.

But something curious began happening in the 2010s…

🔁 How City Pop is Making a Comeback

1. YouTube and the Internet Resurrected It

Mariya Takeuchi’s 1984 hit Plastic Love became an unexpected viral sensation when a user uploaded it to YouTube in 2017. The song’s dreamy sound, combined with a lo-fi anime thumbnail, sparked a wave of nostalgia for something many people had never heard before. That one upload garnered millions of views and introduced an entirely new generation to the world of City Pop.

From there, algorithms did the rest. YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok began surfacing similar tracks. Artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Anri, Taeko Ohnuki, and Hiroshi Sato found themselves with new global fanbases.

2. Vinyl and Retro Design Resurgence

Collectors began hunting for original City Pop records. Labels started reissuing classics on vinyl. Album artwork—with its dreamy cityscapes, palm trees, and neon hues—became part of the appeal. It wasn’t just music—it was an aesthetic.

3. Sampling and Vaporwave

City Pop tracks became popular samples in vaporwave and future funk—genres born online. These reinterpretations sparked even more curiosity about the source material.

4. Mainstream Recognition

Fast-forward to 2025, and City Pop is no longer just a niche online phenomenon. Legendary artist Tatsuro Yamashita headlined this year’s Fuji Rock Festival for the first time. City Pop-themed DJ nights are popping up in Tokyo, Osaka, and even abroad in cities like New York and Berlin. Media outlets are covering its cultural impact. And yes—even Google is getting in on the celebration.

✨ Why It Resonates Today

City Pop represents a rare kind of sonic nostalgia. For Japanese listeners, it’s a throwback to the Shōwa era—a time of economic optimism, style, and upward mobility. For international fans, it’s a retro-futuristic escape from today’s chaotic world, wrapped in smooth vocals and jazzy chords.

It’s comforting without being corny, retro without being outdated. And most importantly—it’s just really good music.

🎧 Want to Explore City Pop?

If you’re curious, like I was yesterday, here are a few starting points:

Mariya Takeuchi – Plastic Love (the gateway drug for many)
Tatsuro Yamashita – Ride on Time (Not officially on Spotify, but widely loved—try YouTube or vinyl!)
Miki Matsubara – Mayonaka no Door (Stay With Me)
Anri – Remember Summer Days
Taeko Ohnuki – Labyrinth
Hiroshi Sato – Blue and Moody

Also, check out curated playlists on Spotify or YouTube under “City Pop Essentials” or “Tokyo Night Drive.”

Final Thoughts

I never expected a browser doodle to pull me into a world of neon-lit nostalgia, but I’m glad it did. City Pop isn’t just a genre—it’s a mood, a moment, a feeling. And as it turns out, it’s one that still hits just right—40 years later.

Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵