NOTE: I made some mistakes in calling Vaporwave "Vaporware" instead. Unfortunately, I can't edit voice overs once a RUclips video is published, nor can I add annotations (RUclips took out that feature a couple years ago). There's also an error at the 2:08 mark, where it's actually Akina Nakamori's single. There's also a picture of Hong Kong when talking about the Japanese economic boom. Unfortunately, RUclips removed captions, so I can't add that "this picture is a mistake and actually from HK." I also mixed up millennials, when it should be generation Z and Alpha. With those out of the way, here's a huge compilation of a city pop playlist below, recommended by Icy Knightmare below. ► ruclips.net/video/9j_M2XjBj4s/видео.html EDIT: Removed several playlists that became dead links.
@@jimmyjones9095 @Jimmy Jones The genre was never called city pop? Could have sworn there's a whole genre called that. You may be right that the genre was also called New Wave. I'll take your word for it. But regardless, you can be constructive and helpful instead of being a douche. I would gladly take your critiques if you a lot more polite.
@S292 Oh no, not at all! Apologies if it sounded like I was talking to you. I was talking to another person that messaged a rude critique (I removed the comment earlier.) EDIT: Your comment was good and informative!
@justsomerandomasianwholikesanime. I've now listened to 374 JPOP songs of 2019 and am amazed at robust it is (and how much KPOP has been repackaged for that market). Haven't found anything I particularly wanted to hang onto tho. I could be starting at the wrong end, but I don't know what year to start at. 1970? 1975?
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music Hoi Korean here. I think that Jpop is much more deep and amazing now than Korea. I would still argue that Korea in their 70-80's had it's charm as well. But I do enjoy much more Jpop rather than Kpop currently.
“Not only Japanese people of the 80s, but also Americans in their teens and early 20s”. *me, a 29 year old blasting city pop and alt idol music shrinks into seat*
Good stuff! You must have been the coolest person in town bumping music like that in the car :) It's awesome to see more Westerners into city pop and alt idol music.
At first, I didn't know if my audience -- as you pointed out, is a KPOP channel -- would like delving into Japanese music. But I'm glad the reception so far has been good.
@@Popsori do you think you could place genres for anime intro/outro songs from the 80s to get a better read on finding similar songs? I like deep forest from inuyasha
It's not only about nostalgia though. Sure, when I discovered city pop about a year and a half ago, I was hit hard by nostalgic memories of me as a kid in the 90's watching some early animes that still had that city pop vibe, even though most of them were actually produced in the 90's. But the nostalgia was sparked by feeling that melancholy again that I already felt back then as a teenager watching those shows. There is a heavy dose of melancholy and weltschmerz baked into the very substance of 80's japanese pop music, that transcends individual nostalgia.
Do you mind if I ask how old are you? It's just that I've met people that were born in the year 2000 saying that they felt "nostalgia" by listening to city-pop... I think that is weird 🙈
As a huge Weeknd fan I was so happy when he sampled Midnight Pretenders. I knew it would only be a matter of time before western artist started using city pop. I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
@@Popsori 110% agree! i envy the 80s japanese working adult, like when they off work, went to dinner and bar and listening to this. wooots! i wouldnt need any day off with that working lifecycles.
Definitely, I've been seeing a bit more videos on Japanese 80's music since "Plastic Love" became big. I'm hoping more creators give exposure to the genre.
City pop really hits that nostalgia feeling. I was born in '88 in the US so I never heard it as a child, but for some reason its so familiar. And listening to other genres like Jazz and Funk ive discovered amazing musicians from today all the way back to the 70's in Japan. They are an inspired culture that has produced some incredible music. And quite frankly, unlike K-pop and the modern manufactured asian pop music, it actually FELT like real music!
I recall someone I was close to mentioning 80s Japanese music last year and I had no idea beyond the J-POP boom. Funny thing is I ran into "Plastic Love" first and suddenly I was amazed. I started realizing the connection between City Pop and sub-genres like Vaporware & Chillwave. It made it easier to do homework lol as well as simply vibe out and relax. I certainly didn't imagine to be listening so often last school year. I even posted it on Instagram bc it was so worth sharing. The Funk & Japanese flair fusion is something
The Funk & Japanese flair fusion is really something, for sure. I use a lot of City Pop to edit my videos actually (and not just this one), since it's really relaxing.
City pop was the soundtrack of Showa era japan. Ironically, it died when Hirohito passed in 1989. But I love this stuff to death. It was Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Last Step” that introduced me to the genre and I’ve been a fan ever since.
It's not just a sense of nostalgia. The world was actually different back then, a lot more optimistic in general. There are countless examples. I think Plastic Love in particular is so relevant now because people like looking back at that optimism through the cold, foggy lenses of modern disillusionment and heartache, something which the song embodies in its genera and lyrics.
I swear, Japanese city pop is pure magic. It gives me, a 23 year old European, the sensation of living in 80s Tokyo. It's wild how a genre of music can get you nostalgic for a time and place you've never experienced. I think, as time goes on, the genre or something really close to it will be mainstream again with enough push in the right direction.
OMG ive been listening to a lot of Japanese city pop. I heard Tatsuro Yamashita's song, bomber and immediately became obsessed with it. I also listened to Mariya Takeuchi, who is the spouse of Tatsuro Tamashita. I so happy that its become more popular lately. I thought it was just me that was getting these recommended videos
I can't blame ya, as Japanese city pop is really easy, chill music to listen to. I'm thinking one reason why city pop is making a comeback these past couple years is because of all the RUclips city pop, easy listening playlists and radio stations, like ChilledCow.
Thank You for this video ;D My friends and I grew up with old school Animes (80's-90's) even when Anime was still very underground in America in the early 90's, and City Pop was always part of Animes at that time. We grew up with this genre through Animes and Japanese Culture so to still hear songs like this today are gems.
Thanks to your channel. Now, I have a more clearer picture on what City Pop was. Because of you, I'm now enjoying Yukika's songs, and it's soothing my soul everytime I'm listening to her. I'm also having teary eyes whenever you mention her or Mariya Takeuchi. I dunno why, I wasn't born in the City Pop era, not even a Japanese but a Filipino, but I just feel that connection between me and the music that words cannot really explain. City Pop has become my favorite genre. This video of yours is fantastic. I'm now enjoying some of the songs that you've mentioned here. More power to you!!! :) 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Woah, me too! Since listening to Mariya’s pieces I figured I had to listen to the actual Takeuchi and I’m glad I did. SiIvagunner consistently influences my music taste, no joke. Thanks again Siiva!
Thank you so much for making this video. Recently got into Japanese City Pop and was so intrigued by the history, nice to have this video as a summary!
Thank you for summarizing this so well! I subscribed! I am not necessarily a big asian pop fan but loved your explanation on the development of different genres!
No worries and thanks for watching! I actually get this comment a lot (about not being a big Asian pop fan, but still like learning new things), as this channel is about introducing Asian pop culture to anyone curious.
This was interesting, thanks! As of November 2021, I am just discovering this awesome genre and I listened to "Plastic Love" for the first time and I liked it!
Interesting stuff. As someone who grew up, with my formidable playing music days, from ~1974-'81 I wouldn't consider City-Pop influenced by boogie or funk but more disco/dance and R&B I played all those genres in various bands. And had a background in playing jazz including Big Band. I haven't listened to a lot of City POp. I also think some K-indie artists are influenced by it!
Oh yeah, I would agree with your definition. I went for the definition that defined City Pop as a mix of boogie, funk, disco, R&B, etc. for a more general feel of the genre. It's also true that some K-indie artists are influenced by this genre. Knowing you and your experiences, I'm thinking that City Pop is definitely up your alley.
I'm not one for everything K-Pop, but I like the little fun fact of how K-Pop singers are starting to fuse the style into their songs. Awesome video, thank you for the content!!
No problem, thanks for watching! It is pretty cool how K-pop singers are putting elements of City Pop in their songs too. I'm hoping that trend continues.
Popsori Thanks for the reply! I have a question for you (if you don't mind): I actually like K-Pop. However, I don't promote it because the insane fandom that it comes with (You know what I'm talking about, "stans/stanning"). I really like KARD and Red Velvet, so I listen to them often. What's your opinion on this issue? Thanks in Advance!
I can definitely understand the crazy K-pop fandom. I truly understand! My take is that the K-pop fandom (in general) should calm down a bit more and be more approachable, because they can scare a lot of people curious of K-pop. I try to promote a more chill, welcoming atmosphere here at Popsori -- not insane stanning and all. As for KARD and Red Velvet, nice picks :)
Great video! One time, years ago, I discovered some city pop songs on RUclips while searching for 80s and early 90s japanese anime music. While I have grown away from anime, the city pop music is still on my recently watched list 👍
No worries, as I'll admit K-pop isn't for everyone. Check out some K-pop and see if it's your thing. In any case, thanks for watching the video. Really appreciative and humbled!
I'm honored that you recommended my video to a friend. And thanks for watching my video. I'm always honored when people watch and have kind words (criticism is cool too!) I'll never tire of city pop either. Huge fan!
Thanks for watching and yeah, I got a flood of comments saying it's "vaporwave." It was a slip-up during recording. I wish RUclips had a way of editing published videos. There's a ton of comments below saying I messed up 😀
I’m a 40 plus American male that discovered this genre a couple months ago and I fell in love with it especially with Mariyah and miki matsubara as well songs are very fun to listen to and catchy so it’s not just millennials the song take me back to the pop sounds in the 1980s in the USA I wonder if this artist would actually think about touring again especially here in the USA anyway I would love to hear more about city pop great channel by the way also I wonder what mariyah reaction is to her song becoming popular especially to American audiences
City Pop sure is so special, City Pop is getting its own renaissance right now! Will you make an video about "The Rise of Monsta X", they are getting a big right now.
I can try to do one on Monsta X, for sure. Thank you so much for the suggestion, as I'm humbled by so many people giving me ideas. With that being said, between my email subs, RUclips audience, and Patreon, I got a ton of videos on the queue (around 10 right now), so Monsta X may have to wait for just a little bit :(
I remember i saw Plastic Love on my recommendations on my youtube feed about 2 years ago i think, and before i knew it i listen to it in a lot of my playlists now. It's such a great song, it's relaxing and fun at the same time.
Plastic Love is about as perfect a piece of music can get. Not only is the melody simple yet beautiful and effective, the production is clean and impeccable, and the performance is top notch. Mariya's singing has just enough pathos in it to reflect the sorrow in the lyrics. She may sound playful at times, but there are some "blue" notes that give it a little twist. It's a song that can make you dance with a huge smile on your face; a song to be admired from an aesthetic point of view; and a song that can make you think about the subject matter. I dunno how many songs can make you do that. I haven't heard one CityPop song that I don't like. I may favor some over others, but that's to be expected with my favorite artists as well. I give this clip 5 Aaaa-WOOOs (CityPop fans know what that means 😉)
im waiting for him to mention miki matsubara tho, she's so underated, she deserve some recognition for being an singer and composer with a solid music passion, even her mum is a jazz singer
There's something magical about the City Pop Genre that brings out that unexpected nostalgia feel to those who didn't even grow up around the time when it was popular.
My earliest introduction to the city pop style was the opening song to Yu Yu Hakusho. I still adore that track. Now, I've discovered a love for the genre through the game Paradise Killer, whose soundtrack is composed of incredible, easy listening, city pop inspired tracks. Thanks for the video, I was really interested in learning this history.
Also I've been getting really into some kpop girl groups the last two years so it's crazy to hear that we're seeing genre crossing into city pop there too. Almost all music genres I seek out are having great releases in this period and I'm loving it.
My favorite artist right now is Anri, her songs especially the TIMELY!!! album is so good. Discovered her this summer and I enjoyed it so much, it fits the summer vibes.
I'm 19 and was always a fan of 80s music thanks to exposure from my parents. It wasn't until the mid 2010s that I discovered Vaporwave/Future Funk and found all of these Japanese songs that were sampled in some of these tracks. Now I love City Pop music and Japanese musicians of the 80s. Tatsuro Yamashita is actually now one of my favourite musicians of all time
I'm born in 1981. I never heard the song before 2019, like the vast majority of people outside Japan, but it brought me back to my childhood and memories of watching anime on French TV (France had fallen in love with japanese anime and manga culture in the 1970s and it never got away), and though the openings were in french and the music completely different, you could hear city pop cues during the episodes. Plastic Love reminds me precisely of City Hunter soundtrack (and yes, people on french TV thought it was ok for kids to see a pervert private eye shooting people and being creepy with the ladies on saturday morning... but nevermind that, haha)
I liked your video but you should of mentioned TOSHIKI KADOMATSU as well!! That guy is also a legend!! Hatsu Koi and ドアの向こう are ultimate bangers by that guy!
If youre just know the idolish part of jpop then youll just find it boring. Since long ago Japanese music is pretty eccentric. You just have to dig more. There are a lot of good artist in this generation but just overshadowed ny the kawaii pop
Definitely Takeuchi Mariya introduced me to city pop genre. And now, we also have the brilliant Yukika , she's doing the same with this new generation ♡♡♡ I recommend you guys to watch 80s Japanese commercials, it brings the same city pop's nostalgic atmosphere
So far, my favorite City Pop song is either "Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me" by Miki Matsubara (rip) or "街のドルフィン" by Kingo Hamada. Both absolutely incredible songs that positively surge with 80s power. Just now discovering this genre, so I'm super excited to discover more.
I grew up in Chile watching tons of anime and I was always fascinated by the way these shows presented Japan as this alternative to New York (in my seven year old mind of course) But I also love the music these shows played (usually as their credits), so when I discovered Japanese City Pop it brought back so much nostalgia for my youth. The warmth in the voices of the singers for both the anime and the JCP really took me back to simpler times
Great vid man - thank you. City Pop has always been great and it''s bizarre to see how hysterically it's been recently adopted by Western hipsters! I'd encourage people to look beyond albums and songs that influencers and algorythms are pushing. Do the work and dig to find sounds that mean something to you personally. As others comment here, J Pop and J Rock are incredobly unique and creative.
1:39 the genre you’re looking for is “Jazz fusion,” specifically 70s and 80s Japanese jazz fusion, it’s honestly a pretty interesting genre and I’d recommend you listen to some bands like Casiopeia or T-square, I garunteed you’ll be hooked!
I may be late to the party but I enjoyed this informative video. I heard of City Pop through Vaporwave and plastic love. My parents grew up in the 70s and so I listen to a lot of 70s & 60s Brazilian Bosa Nova 🇧🇷, and easy listening stuff like Burt Bacharach who I was introduced to through the Austin Powers movies, Herb Albert, and Motown. I can feel the 70s disco Motown influence in City Pop but I also get and I get a strange Bosa Nova 🇧🇷 vibe to it as well. I wonder as Brazil 🇧🇷 has the largest Japanese population 🇯🇵🗾 outside the Home Islands so I wonder if there is some interaction 🤔🤔🤔🤔
I have always loved Visual Kei. Metal is really inclusive, so in the 80s, anything slightly metal got popular among metalheads no matter their ethnicity. Pop have always been a sport in America. So we try our best to keep our pop air waves domestic. Which is probably how City Pop stayed obscure in America up until the internet got a hold of Mariya Takeuchis plastic love. Also Anime is a huge thing. With the internet, anime just got more popular and easily accessible. Most animes are written with a formula though sometims pretty loosely, it still holds on to that spirit so all animes give a similar vibe in some way; whether it be emotionally tear jerking or just completely chill and mellow. So when Nujabes did the ost for Samurai Champloo, lofi blew up. What does it all mean? City Pop gives a similar vibe as Lofi. People will associate it with anime and because of that I think thats what made city pop really popular and really fast too.
Perhaps because many of 80,90 and 2000 generation grew up watching Japanese anime and programs. So a collective affective memory was created, from that the rest is history, it becomes fashionable, it goes viral and it spreads, conquering new places. Me for example, have always loved this type of music almost because anime' endings such as Sayonara Bye Bye from YuYuHakusho, Ranma 1/2, Jiraya and etc. However I didn't know it was a style of music, used to listen the same songs repeatedly on my diskman and later mp3 player as teenager, when I got to know the style "city pop" on RUclips, a whole new world of music opened up. This perception aligns with other comments in this session. In addition to the atmosphere of nostalgia that produces affection over these songs, the boom of city pop reveals to us how Japan culture intimately conquered the West in the 80s and 90s. One more demonstration of connectivity and convergence's power produced by network and its algorithms, also how they influence world's culture.
Jestem z Polski i urodziłam się 1995 roku. Dla nas i całej Europy Środokowo Wschodniej lata 80-te to okres upadku komunizmu ale również dominacji popkultury Zachodu oraz dużej biedy spowodowanej nierentownością ekonomiczną komunizmu. Czyli sytuacja skrajnie odmienna niż komsumpcujny boom w Japonii czy reganowskiej Ameryce. Sama uważam że lata 80-te w polskiej muzyce to najlepszy okres ze względu na różnorodność gatunkową. Ale wracając do sedna, city pop tochę przypomina europejską muzykę pop i taneczną z tego okresu. Słyszę tam podobieństwa do italo disco i do francuskiego popu. Mi samej city pop brzmi jak muzyka na imprezę na włoskiej plaży w kurorcie na wakacje z tamtych lat. Jest bardzo melodyczna. Moim pierwszym spotkaniem z tym gatunkem to był Ai yo kienaide z anime City Hunter znaleziony te 2 lata temu na yt. Chciałabym żeby pojawił się jakiś zachodni artysta, który mocno inspiruje się tym stylem. Dla mnie city pop uderza w nuty liryczności i melodyczności a nie nostalgii za czasami, gdzie nie było mnie na świecie. Te piosenki mają dużą wartość produkcyjną i świetnie się ich słucha jak się jedzie samochodem, zwłaszcza wieczorem i nocą.
I really like soundtracks from popular Anime and I think it was because of that that the song "Plastic Love" appeared in my RUclips list of suggestions while visiting Japan. I was very impressed by it. I first thought that this song was very recent work only to find out latter that that wasn't the case. It reminded me of the music and style of George Benson and even some work from Justine Timberlake.
My favorite city pop artist are minako yoshida, Taeko Ohnuki, tatsuro yamashita, momoko Kikuchi and noriyo ikeda. I recommend minako and tatsuro yamashita the most. Those two are my faves 💕
So, Soichi Terada's music along with a few video game music around this time and the early 90's are a form of "City Pop". The Sonic The Hedgehog theme music along with Mega Man games, had that "pop" and urban beat in the music. Street Fighter and many fighting games also have this type of music but a bit more intense to give that competitive feel.
80's peak Japan styles was such a powerhouse! it had such a cultural influence on the four asian Tigers (Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore), we all watched Japanese anime and read manga and copied their pop music and fashion. The good times ended for Japan after signing the plaza accord followed by the 1991 economic bubble implosion, I guess that could be why city pop went out of fashion.
![OhGeesy x Lefty Gunplay - What It Iz [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/L0yzW9t2ixk/mqdefault.jpg)
NOTE: I made some mistakes in calling Vaporwave "Vaporware" instead. Unfortunately, I can't edit voice overs once a RUclips video is published, nor can I add annotations (RUclips took out that feature a couple years ago).
There's also an error at the 2:08 mark, where it's actually Akina Nakamori's single.
There's also a picture of Hong Kong when talking about the Japanese economic boom. Unfortunately, RUclips removed captions, so I can't add that "this picture is a mistake and actually from HK."
I also mixed up millennials, when it should be generation Z and Alpha.
With those out of the way, here's a huge compilation of a city pop playlist below, recommended by Icy Knightmare below.
► ruclips.net/video/9j_M2XjBj4s/видео.html
EDIT: Removed several playlists that became dead links.
@@jimmyjones9095 @Jimmy Jones The genre was never called city pop? Could have sworn there's a whole genre called that.
You may be right that the genre was also called New Wave. I'll take your word for it.
But regardless, you can be constructive and helpful instead of being a douche. I would gladly take your critiques if you a lot more polite.
@S292 Oh no, not at all! Apologies if it sounded like I was talking to you.
I was talking to another person that messaged a rude critique (I removed the comment earlier.)
EDIT: Your comment was good and informative!
The 2:08 mark is actually not an error, Oh No Oh Yes is performed by both Takeuchi and Nakamori, and the one you have is in fact the Takeuchi version
@@Real6501 Ahhh, thanks for clearing this up.
i'm a millennial (1995) and love this stuff as well asa Vaporwave
Japanese music is very very underrated. Please talk more about jpop and jrock if you can. I love it when people like you bring attention to it.
Definitely! Even though this is a K-pop channel, I'll sneak in some J-pop and J-rock here and there. Shhhh... don't tell anyone else!
I've just started looking at JPOP and it is so broad and deep, so much more so than KPOP. Japan is the 2nd largest music market in the world.
@justsomerandomasianwholikesanime.
I've now listened to 374 JPOP songs of 2019 and am amazed at robust it is (and how much KPOP has been repackaged for that market). Haven't found anything I particularly wanted to hang onto tho. I could be starting at the wrong end, but I don't know what year to start at. 1970? 1975?
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music Hoi Korean here. I think that Jpop is much more deep and amazing now than Korea. I would still argue that Korea in their 70-80's had it's charm as well. But I do enjoy much more Jpop rather than Kpop currently.
J metal > everything else
“Not only Japanese people of the 80s, but also Americans in their teens and early 20s”. *me, a 29 year old blasting city pop and alt idol music shrinks into seat*
Good stuff! You must have been the coolest person in town bumping music like that in the car :) It's awesome to see more Westerners into city pop and alt idol music.
How about some VN Citypop? Here's the playlist ruclips.net/video/LOJVcmoXo6E/видео.html
Latterly me right now
Also, I know this is a KPOP channel, but I absolutely love any attention placed on Japan's music.
At first, I didn't know if my audience -- as you pointed out, is a KPOP channel -- would like delving into Japanese music. But I'm glad the reception so far has been good.
@@Popsori do you think you could place genres for anime intro/outro songs from the 80s to get a better read on finding similar songs? I like deep forest from inuyasha
Taeko ohnuki - 4am
Miki matsubara - stay with me
Mariya takeuchi - oh no oh yes
They are complete banger man..
It's not only about nostalgia though. Sure, when I discovered city pop about a year and a half ago, I was hit hard by nostalgic memories of me as a kid in the 90's watching some early animes that still had that city pop vibe, even though most of them were actually produced in the 90's. But the nostalgia was sparked by feeling that melancholy again that I already felt back then as a teenager watching those shows. There is a heavy dose of melancholy and weltschmerz baked into the very substance of 80's japanese pop music, that transcends individual nostalgia.
Do you mind if I ask how old are you? It's just that I've met people that were born in the year 2000 saying that they felt "nostalgia" by listening to city-pop... I think that is weird 🙈
I 100% agree with you !!
It makes me think of a lot of music I heard here in America in the 80s but more enjoyable for me than most of the things I heard here.
it sounds like a closing theme of an anime during the 80's
As a huge Weeknd fan I was so happy when he sampled Midnight Pretenders. I knew it would only be a matter of time before western artist started using city pop. I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
It'll go downhill the reason why genre like jazz blues nd sub genre likevaporwave still so good cuz it has a cult following
This song is so magical I just can’t describe it 🌸
Same same! It's really makes you want to dance or just forget about all your problems and just have fun.
THIS
@@Popsori 110% agree! i envy the 80s japanese working adult, like when they off work, went to dinner and bar and listening to this. wooots! i wouldnt need any day off with that working lifecycles.
Crazy how the first time I came across Japanese 80’s music was a few months ago,it’s good to see that ppl are still making videos about it
Definitely, I've been seeing a bit more videos on Japanese 80's music since "Plastic Love" became big. I'm hoping more creators give exposure to the genre.
City pop really hits that nostalgia feeling. I was born in '88 in the US so I never heard it as a child, but for some reason its so familiar. And listening to other genres like Jazz and Funk ive discovered amazing musicians from today all the way back to the 70's in Japan. They are an inspired culture that has produced some incredible music. And quite frankly, unlike K-pop and the modern manufactured asian pop music, it actually FELT like real music!
I thank RUclips for randomly showing Plastic Love in my recommendations. The best recommendation that RUclips has given me.
I recall someone I was close to mentioning 80s Japanese music last year and I had no idea beyond the J-POP boom. Funny thing is I ran into "Plastic Love" first and suddenly I was amazed. I started realizing the connection between City Pop and sub-genres like Vaporware & Chillwave. It made it easier to do homework lol as well as simply vibe out and relax. I certainly didn't imagine to be listening so often last school year. I even posted it on Instagram bc it was so worth sharing. The Funk & Japanese flair fusion is something
The Funk & Japanese flair fusion is really something, for sure. I use a lot of City Pop to edit my videos actually (and not just this one), since it's really relaxing.
@@Popsori It's VaporWAVE.
City pop was the soundtrack of Showa era japan. Ironically, it died when Hirohito passed in 1989. But I love this stuff to death. It was Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Last Step” that introduced me to the genre and I’ve been a fan ever since.
city pop is a mix of jazz funk and soul
It's not just a sense of nostalgia. The world was actually different back then, a lot more optimistic in general. There are countless examples. I think Plastic Love in particular is so relevant now because people like looking back at that optimism through the cold, foggy lenses of modern disillusionment and heartache, something which the song embodies in its genera and lyrics.
I swear, Japanese city pop is pure magic. It gives me, a 23 year old European, the sensation of living in 80s Tokyo. It's wild how a genre of music can get you nostalgic for a time and place you've never experienced. I think, as time goes on, the genre or something really close to it will be mainstream again with enough push in the right direction.
OMG ive been listening to a lot of Japanese city pop. I heard Tatsuro Yamashita's song, bomber and immediately became obsessed with it. I also listened to Mariya Takeuchi, who is the spouse of Tatsuro Tamashita. I so happy that its become more popular lately. I thought it was just me that was getting these recommended videos
I can't blame ya, as Japanese city pop is really easy, chill music to listen to. I'm thinking one reason why city pop is making a comeback these past couple years is because of all the RUclips city pop, easy listening playlists and radio stations, like ChilledCow.
Thank You for this video ;D My friends and I grew up with old school Animes (80's-90's) even when Anime was still very underground in America in the early 90's, and City Pop was always part of Animes at that time. We grew up with this genre through Animes and Japanese Culture so to still hear songs like this today are gems.
The 80s and 90s, the Golden Age for anime and City Pop!
I'm loving all this city pop love recently. I'm addicted to Yukika from your last video. Another great video, thank you!
Good stuff! Gotta spread the City Pop and Yukika love around, ya know!
Thanks to your channel. Now, I have a more clearer picture on what City Pop was. Because of you, I'm now enjoying Yukika's songs, and it's soothing my soul everytime I'm listening to her. I'm also having teary eyes whenever you mention her or Mariya Takeuchi. I dunno why, I wasn't born in the City Pop era, not even a Japanese but a Filipino, but I just feel that connection between me and the music that words cannot really explain. City Pop has become my favorite genre. This video of yours is fantastic. I'm now enjoying some of the songs that you've mentioned here. More power to you!!! :) 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
This deserves more views. very informal video and good quality.
April 1st. 2019. The king for another day tournament introduced me to mariya. I'm hooked. City pop rules. Thanks siiva!
On April Foo's Day, no less!
Woah, me too! Since listening to Mariya’s pieces I figured I had to listen to the actual Takeuchi and I’m glad I did. SiIvagunner consistently influences my music taste, no joke. Thanks again Siiva!
Thank you so much for making this video. Recently got into Japanese City Pop and was so intrigued by the history, nice to have this video as a summary!
This is a fantastic overview of the genre and the era. Great research and insight. Keep up the great work!!
Thank you for summarizing this so well! I subscribed! I am not necessarily a big asian pop fan but loved your explanation on the development of different genres!
No worries and thanks for watching! I actually get this comment a lot (about not being a big Asian pop fan, but still like learning new things), as this channel is about introducing Asian pop culture to anyone curious.
My dad kept the 80s alive for me from the 90s and into the 2000s for me
This was interesting, thanks! As of November 2021, I am just discovering this awesome genre and I listened to "Plastic Love" for the first time and I liked it!
Fantastic video sir. Thank you very much
Interesting stuff. As someone who grew up, with my formidable playing music days, from ~1974-'81 I wouldn't consider City-Pop influenced by boogie or funk but more disco/dance and R&B I played all those genres in various bands. And had a background in playing jazz including Big Band. I haven't listened to a lot of City POp. I also think some K-indie artists are influenced by it!
Oh yeah, I would agree with your definition. I went for the definition that defined City Pop as a mix of boogie, funk, disco, R&B, etc. for a more general feel of the genre.
It's also true that some K-indie artists are influenced by this genre. Knowing you and your experiences, I'm thinking that City Pop is definitely up your alley.
@@Popsori I do like it but I very rarely go out of the way to listen to it. At
I'm not one for everything K-Pop, but I like the little fun fact of how K-Pop singers are starting to fuse the style into their songs. Awesome video, thank you for the content!!
No problem, thanks for watching! It is pretty cool how K-pop singers are putting elements of City Pop in their songs too. I'm hoping that trend continues.
Popsori Thanks for the reply! I have a question for you (if you don't mind): I actually like K-Pop. However, I don't promote it because the insane fandom that it comes with (You know what I'm talking about, "stans/stanning"). I really like KARD and Red Velvet, so I listen to them often. What's your opinion on this issue? Thanks in Advance!
I can definitely understand the crazy K-pop fandom. I truly understand! My take is that the K-pop fandom (in general) should calm down a bit more and be more approachable, because they can scare a lot of people curious of K-pop. I try to promote a more chill, welcoming atmosphere here at Popsori -- not insane stanning and all.
As for KARD and Red Velvet, nice picks :)
i think you meant vaporwave not vaporware :P great video btw, love the change of pace from kpop to jpop history
Haha yeah, I totally meant vaporwave! I even had "vaporwave" in my script, so I don't know why I said "vaporware" haha!
@@Popsori
BTW Plastic Love was her lowest charting single out of 41 IIRC, not a success at the time (3 others didn't chart).
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music Ahhh was it? If so, thanks for the correction!
@@Popsori Vaporwave's name comes from the Vaporware concept so it's not entirely incorrect to call it that.
@@queuedjar4578 Oh really? Whoa, that's pretty cool. I learn new things everyday. Thanks for the knowledge bomb!
Thank you for making this video! It's really informative!
Great video! One time, years ago, I discovered some city pop songs on RUclips while searching for 80s and early 90s japanese anime music. While I have grown away from anime, the city pop music is still on my recently watched list 👍
wonderfully made!
Thanks bro! Great material!
Very nice round up.
I'm not into KPOP but those samples really want me to check out.
Thanks for covering the topic.
No worries, as I'll admit K-pop isn't for everyone. Check out some K-pop and see if it's your thing.
In any case, thanks for watching the video. Really appreciative and humbled!
Just sent this to someone who hasn't encountered Citypop yet. Great video! Subscribed. And I'll never tire of Citypop (:
I'm honored that you recommended my video to a friend. And thanks for watching my video. I'm always honored when people watch and have kind words (criticism is cool too!)
I'll never tire of city pop either. Huge fan!
Absolutely informative and great video on City Pop .... also, it's "vaporwave".
Thanks for watching and yeah, I got a flood of comments saying it's "vaporwave." It was a slip-up during recording. I wish RUclips had a way of editing published videos. There's a ton of comments below saying I messed up 😀
Excelent video! and Cool Ren toy!!
I really like that you used the english cover for plastic love in your thumbnail 🙂
Thank you for the heart
I’m a 40 plus American male that discovered this genre a couple months ago and I fell in love with it especially with Mariyah and miki matsubara as well songs are very fun to listen to and catchy so it’s not just millennials the song take me back to the pop sounds in the 1980s in the USA I wonder if this artist would actually think about touring again especially here in the USA anyway I would love to hear more about city pop great channel by the way also I wonder what mariyah reaction is to her song becoming popular especially to American audiences
Thank you for this!
The past was golden for music, truly. Most songs these days sound colorless and effortless.
Great video. All we need now is some Japanese city pop music with old school anime visuals (Cowboy Bepop and Ghost in the Shell are ideal)
City pop is just an amazing genre
Love the history coverage of this topic!
Very informative thanks ☺️✌️
I got to know recently city pop and other Japanese jazz fusion artists and so far I am loving it! The 80's rock!
Super good vibes in this channel. The best energy for you dude!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate it and I'm humbled you checked out my video.
City Pop sure is so special, City Pop is getting its own renaissance right now! Will you make an video about "The Rise of Monsta X", they are getting a big right now.
I can try to do one on Monsta X, for sure. Thank you so much for the suggestion, as I'm humbled by so many people giving me ideas.
With that being said, between my email subs, RUclips audience, and Patreon, I got a ton of videos on the queue (around 10 right now), so Monsta X may have to wait for just a little bit :(
City pop give me a mood of peacefulness and lack of worries...of childhood. Even if im 28. It makes me calm.
The City Pop group Soap brought me here, thanks for the video and Boa
It's the instruments and def the baseline. For real music lovers it's impossible to resist.
I remember i saw Plastic Love on my recommendations on my youtube feed about 2 years ago i think, and before i knew it i listen to it in a lot of my playlists now. It's such a great song, it's relaxing and fun at the same time.
Plastic Love is about as perfect a piece of music can get. Not only is the melody simple yet beautiful and effective, the production is clean and impeccable, and the performance is top notch.
Mariya's singing has just enough pathos in it to reflect the sorrow in the lyrics. She may sound playful at times, but there are some "blue" notes that give it a little twist. It's a song that can make you dance with a huge smile on your face; a song to be admired from an aesthetic point of view; and a song that can make you think about the subject matter. I dunno how many songs can make you do that.
I haven't heard one CityPop song that I don't like. I may favor some over others, but that's to be expected with my favorite artists as well.
I give this clip 5 Aaaa-WOOOs (CityPop fans know what that means 😉)
im waiting for him to mention miki matsubara tho, she's so underated, she deserve some recognition for being an singer and composer with a solid music passion, even her mum is a jazz singer
There's something magical about the City Pop Genre that brings out that unexpected nostalgia feel to those who didn't even grow up around the time when it was popular.
Very insightful video.
My earliest introduction to the city pop style was the opening song to Yu Yu Hakusho. I still adore that track. Now, I've discovered a love for the genre through the game Paradise Killer, whose soundtrack is composed of incredible, easy listening, city pop inspired tracks. Thanks for the video, I was really interested in learning this history.
Paradise Killer is a fun game! Really liked collecting the clues to solve the mystery. The city pop soundtrack is a total banger too :)
I didn't know plastic love got a video. I can't wait to watch it now. I'm new to city pop but it hits so many nostalgia notes for me being born in 84.
Also I've been getting really into some kpop girl groups the last two years so it's crazy to hear that we're seeing genre crossing into city pop there too. Almost all music genres I seek out are having great releases in this period and I'm loving it.
Great vid. Thank you.
My favorite artist right now is Anri, her songs especially the TIMELY!!! album is so good. Discovered her this summer and I enjoyed it so much, it fits the summer vibes.
I'm 19 and was always a fan of 80s music thanks to exposure from my parents. It wasn't until the mid 2010s that I discovered Vaporwave/Future Funk and found all of these Japanese songs that were sampled in some of these tracks. Now I love City Pop music and Japanese musicians of the 80s. Tatsuro Yamashita is actually now one of my favourite musicians of all time
Plastic love has been on loop on my spotify playlist!
Excellent stuff, thanks 🙏
City Pop is closely related to, and contemporaneous to the American R & B genre and radio format Quiet Storm.
I see that Persona 5 merch.... An intellectual indeed
Yesss, more people are starting to notice!!
I really like their jazzy funk fusions. Especially love Mayumi Kojima❤️
I'm born in 1981. I never heard the song before 2019, like the vast majority of people outside Japan, but it brought me back to my childhood and memories of watching anime on French TV (France had fallen in love with japanese anime and manga culture in the 1970s and it never got away), and though the openings were in french and the music completely different, you could hear city pop cues during the episodes. Plastic Love reminds me precisely of City Hunter soundtrack (and yes, people on french TV thought it was ok for kids to see a pervert private eye shooting people and being creepy with the ladies on saturday morning... but nevermind that, haha)
Alright how do we build a time machine to the 80s-
Let me know when you build one. I'm down to go back to the 80s!
I'm 16 and this song is poggers, she has awesome music. I also just really like Japan and everything about it.
I liked your video but you should of mentioned TOSHIKI KADOMATSU as well!! That guy is also a legend!! Hatsu Koi and ドアの向こう are ultimate bangers by that guy!
Darn, you're right! There's so many city pop legends and bangers out there :)
the sound of my youth
I love YUKIKA so much!!
Same here! Sad that she retired, but I'm happy for her and her family.
I am a 2000s kid but i am so obssessed with 80s music
I am from Brazil and love City Pop, Anri is probably my favorite. The curious thing, though, is that I don't like the new J-Pop. I find pretty bland
If youre just know the idolish part of jpop then youll just find it boring. Since long ago Japanese music is pretty eccentric.
You just have to dig more. There are a lot of good artist in this generation but just overshadowed ny the kawaii pop
Eu tbm caralho
Maluco eu tbm
You might only know the cutecy Jpop songs but there are many genre of Jpop that you don't even know. My personal favorite was Anime ops and Utaites.
You might only know the cutesy Jpop songs but there are many genre of Jpop that you don't even know. My personal favorite was Anime ops and Utaites.
Bread and butter is my new jam! "Summer blue" is perfection.
Those are definitely good jams!
Definitely Takeuchi Mariya introduced me to city pop genre. And now, we also have the brilliant Yukika , she's doing the same with this new generation ♡♡♡ I recommend you guys to watch 80s Japanese commercials, it brings the same city pop's nostalgic atmosphere
So far, my favorite City Pop song is either "Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me" by Miki Matsubara (rip) or "街のドルフィン" by Kingo Hamada. Both absolutely incredible songs that positively surge with 80s power. Just now discovering this genre, so I'm super excited to discover more.
I grew up in Chile watching tons of anime and I was always fascinated by the way these shows presented Japan as this alternative to New York (in my seven year old mind of course)
But I also love the music these shows played (usually as their credits), so when I discovered Japanese City Pop it brought back so much nostalgia for my youth. The warmth in the voices of the singers for both the anime and the JCP really took me back to simpler times
Viva Chile
Great vid man - thank you.
City Pop has always been great and it''s bizarre to see how hysterically it's been recently adopted by Western hipsters!
I'd encourage people to look beyond albums and songs that influencers and algorythms are pushing.
Do the work and dig to find sounds that mean something to you personally.
As others comment here, J Pop and J Rock are incredobly unique and creative.
1:39 the genre you’re looking for is “Jazz fusion,” specifically 70s and 80s Japanese jazz fusion, it’s honestly a pretty interesting genre and I’d recommend you listen to some bands like Casiopeia or T-square, I garunteed you’ll be hooked!
Ooooh, I like your suggestions! I'll definitely take a look then at 70s and 80s Japanese jazz fusion. Thanks for the recommendations.
I may be late to the party but I enjoyed this informative video. I heard of City Pop through Vaporwave and plastic love. My parents grew up in the 70s and so I listen to a lot of 70s & 60s Brazilian Bosa Nova 🇧🇷, and easy listening stuff like Burt Bacharach who I was introduced to through the Austin Powers movies, Herb Albert, and Motown. I can feel the 70s disco Motown influence in City Pop but I also get and I get a strange Bosa Nova 🇧🇷 vibe to it as well. I wonder as Brazil 🇧🇷 has the largest Japanese population 🇯🇵🗾 outside the Home Islands so I wonder if there is some interaction 🤔🤔🤔🤔
City Pop is very powerful in the modern sense
Toshiki kodamatsu, makoto matsushita, haruko kuwana, jadoes, taeko ohnuki,minako yoshida ❤❤❤
yeah I'm one of the new fan too, from Italy, check cosmos - midnight shuffle, another good one
I have always loved Visual Kei. Metal is really inclusive, so in the 80s, anything slightly metal got popular among metalheads no matter their ethnicity.
Pop have always been a sport in America. So we try our best to keep our pop air waves domestic. Which is probably how City Pop stayed obscure in America up until the internet got a hold of Mariya Takeuchis plastic love.
Also Anime is a huge thing. With the internet, anime just got more popular and easily accessible. Most animes are written with a formula though sometims pretty loosely, it still holds on to that spirit so all animes give a similar vibe in some way; whether it be emotionally tear jerking or just completely chill and mellow.
So when Nujabes did the ost for Samurai Champloo, lofi blew up. What does it all mean?
City Pop gives a similar vibe as Lofi. People will associate it with anime and because of that I think thats what made city pop really popular and really fast too.
Perhaps because many of 80,90 and 2000 generation grew up watching Japanese anime and programs. So a collective affective memory was created, from that the rest is history, it becomes fashionable, it goes viral and it spreads, conquering new places. Me for example, have always loved this type of music almost because anime' endings such as Sayonara Bye Bye from YuYuHakusho, Ranma 1/2, Jiraya and etc.
However I didn't know it was a style of music, used to listen the same songs repeatedly on my diskman and later mp3 player as teenager, when I got to know the style "city pop" on RUclips, a whole new world of music opened up.
This perception aligns with other comments in this session. In addition to the atmosphere of nostalgia that produces affection over these songs, the boom of city pop reveals to us how Japan culture intimately conquered the West in the 80s and 90s. One more demonstration of connectivity and convergence's power produced by network and its algorithms, also how they influence world's culture.
Jestem z Polski i urodziłam się 1995 roku. Dla nas i całej Europy Środokowo Wschodniej lata 80-te to okres upadku komunizmu ale również dominacji popkultury Zachodu oraz dużej biedy spowodowanej nierentownością ekonomiczną komunizmu. Czyli sytuacja skrajnie odmienna niż komsumpcujny boom w Japonii czy reganowskiej Ameryce. Sama uważam że lata 80-te w polskiej muzyce to najlepszy okres ze względu na różnorodność gatunkową. Ale wracając do sedna, city pop tochę przypomina europejską muzykę pop i taneczną z tego okresu. Słyszę tam podobieństwa do italo disco i do francuskiego popu. Mi samej city pop brzmi jak muzyka na imprezę na włoskiej plaży w kurorcie na wakacje z tamtych lat. Jest bardzo melodyczna. Moim pierwszym spotkaniem z tym gatunkem to był Ai yo kienaide z anime City Hunter znaleziony te 2 lata temu na yt. Chciałabym żeby pojawił się jakiś zachodni artysta, który mocno inspiruje się tym stylem.
Dla mnie city pop uderza w nuty liryczności i melodyczności a nie nostalgii za czasami, gdzie nie było mnie na świecie. Te piosenki mają dużą wartość produkcyjną i świetnie się ich słucha jak się jedzie samochodem, zwłaszcza wieczorem i nocą.
Basically, it's a prime example of the power of photography (and yes, the music is good too)>
I really like soundtracks from popular Anime and I think it was because of that that the song "Plastic Love" appeared in my RUclips list of suggestions while visiting Japan. I was very impressed by it. I first thought that this song was very recent work only to find out latter that that wasn't the case. It reminded me of the music and style of George Benson and even some work from Justine Timberlake.
My favorite city pop artist are minako yoshida, Taeko Ohnuki, tatsuro yamashita, momoko Kikuchi and noriyo ikeda. I recommend minako and tatsuro yamashita the most. Those two are my faves 💕
magical by junko ohashi is an amazing album,, i can listen to it whatever mood I’m in it’s amazing any new city pop fan should listen to it
So, Soichi Terada's music along with a few video game music around this time and the early 90's are a form of "City Pop". The Sonic The Hedgehog theme music along with Mega Man games, had that "pop" and urban beat in the music. Street Fighter and many fighting games also have this type of music but a bit more intense to give that competitive feel.
80's peak Japan styles was such a powerhouse! it had such a cultural influence on the four asian Tigers (Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore), we all watched Japanese anime and read manga and copied their pop music and fashion. The good times ended for Japan after signing the plaza accord followed by the 1991 economic bubble implosion, I guess that could be why city pop went out of fashion.
And for me my reasons for knowing and interest in this is A. It’s sampled in a lot of future funk( a sub genre of vaporwave) and old school anime.
Some fan literally revived Mariya's career
NeoToykoFm streams some really good city pop. Not many people listen which is surprising.
This is my genre i only love the chords solo's guitars pianos the drums😍
Didn't yubin do her last few singles as Japanese city pop style?
That she did :)
I think Wonder Girls had a comeback with it as well; neither were that successful.