City Pop, the sound of metropolitan Japan in the 80s has now become more widely known than a few years back. Its magical melodies and sincerely funky rhythms have already captivated millions of people, creating a surge in popularity for many iconic Japanese artists. Even though the world has already become enamored with the most notable of City Pop artists, there exists a plethora of Japanese musicians in the genre that are catching their second wind now that Japanese record labels are starting to re-press, and re-release these top class albums to the public again after nearly 30 or more years! Yes, it’s amazing honestly. It really speaks to the times we live in that 1980s Japanese Pop Music can comfortably fit into 2020s Pop Culture!

The demand for City Pop is growing exponentially as people begin to rediscover this timeless genre and dig deeper for new and excited albums. I’ve compiled a list of very notable albums that I would classify as some of the golden best that City Pop has to offer. Please enjoy this list!

Kaoru Akimoto - Cologne (1987)

One of the most iconic cover photos in all City Pop, Akimoto Kaoru creates a wonderful dance-inspired melodic club night filled with fashionably catchy choruses and driving beats sure to have you hitting the dancefloor. I recently worked with Victor Entertainment Media to produce a re-edit of one of her songs. Please take a listen!

2021 Remastered Edition: Listen

HMV Repress: Pre-Order

Buy it on: Discogs

Hideki Saijo - In Search of Love (1985)

Saijo Hideki’s compilation In Search of Love, is a magical mixture of some of his most iconic 80s songs including the now famous city pop cover of George Michael’s Careless Whisper. Likely one of the greatest music artists of Japan’s history, almost every song on here is a total champion of style and sound. A must have for collectors.

Buy it on: Discogs

Ra Mu - Thanks Giving (1988)

Ra Mu was a short-lived band formed by ex-idol singer Momoko Kikuchi. Having been newly formed at the tail end of Japan’s bubble ecomony, they were at odds with a skeptical Japanese public, and maelstrom of shifting genres that were starting to trickle towards the late 80s. Sadly, they only ever released this one album, but it is quintessential City Pop forever.

Buy it on: Discogs

Junko Ohashi - Magical (1984)

Ohashi Junko’s hit compilation Magical was and still is one of the most sought after records in all of City Pop. Having been sold for a whooping 1000usd once, there is no denying just how magical the LP is. Featuring some of the top bops from the genre, this record is set be re-pressed via HMV in Feb 2022.

Pre-order: Here

Buy it on: Discogs

Makoto Matsushita - First Light (1981)

Extremely ahead of its time, Matsushita Makoto’s First Light is a glistening night drive through Tokyo’s winding highways. By far one of the moodiest track selections in the genre. It creates a definitive vibe that ranges from low-key funk to reverby ballad delights. If you want to feel melancholy, but still tap your feet, pick this gem up!

Buy it on: Discogs

Mioko Yamaguchi - Yume Hiko (1980)

Listening to Yume Hiko by the legendary Yamaguchi Mioko, you can’t help but be transported somewhere far away. Her music was far ahead of its time. For 1980, this dreamy, synthy, delicate cocktail of sensual vocals perfectly bounces atop drifting melodies, catchy chords, and masterful production.

Buy it on: Discogs

Mai Yamane - Tasogare (1980)

A sensual delight at dusk, Tasogare is a poetic entry into City Pop by the classic Yamane Mai, who also provided the vocals for Cowboy Bebop’s closing theme The Real Folk Blues. Her sultry voice shines like a star through cosmic dust as you drift on the words that hang like crescent moons over the Tokyo night skyline. It’s one of the most beautiful records the genre has to offer.

Buy it on: Discogs

Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe - Aqua City (1983)

Aqua City is a sleeper hit from the essential summer City Pop band, Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe. These guys love the summer, and are masters of that very specific City Pop sound that feels like audio sunshine. Definitely something every City Pop enthusiast should have in their collection.

Buy it on: Discogs

EPO - Downtown (1980)

EPO creates a really metro mood with this stellar album full of warm sounding songs that really do take you Downtown. The title track ‘Downtown’ is a cover of a famous Sugar Babe song by the same name. A very on-the-nose interlude featuring the iconic chorus from Petula Clark’s song Downtown is also featured on here to really drive the City Pop point home.

Buy it on: Discogs

Hitomi Tohyama - Sexy Robot (1982)

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Sexy Robot has some very classic funk synth boogie bangers that are essential dancefloor movers. She spares no expense at creating some of the coolest tracks you can find from Japan in this era. From Wanna Kiss to Lets Talk in Bed, she plays between the line of cheeky and sweet, tough basslines to boot.

Buy it on: Discogs

Stay Tuned for Volume II coming soon!

AUTHOR

Van Paugam is an Internationally-Acclaimed DJ and leading figure specializing in 70s and 80s Japanese Music, dubbed City Pop. He has organized and hosted over 100 events dedicated to the style, and actively promotes Japanese culture while on the board of the Japanese Arts Foundation of Chicago. He has been featured on CNN, NHK, and many other publications for his dedication to City Pop. Van is credited with being the first person to begin popularizing City Pop online through his mixes on YouTube in 2016, and subsequently through live events. Learn More…

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