Music Discovery
CITY POP
City pop is Japanese pop music from the late 1970s and 1980s — sophisticated songwriting, warm synthesisers, slap bass, and elaborate chord progressions influenced by American funk and soul. Artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, and Anri. A global viral phenomenon since 2019, and increasingly a sample source.
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Random City Pop records from the Discogs database — played instantly on YouTube.
Discover City PopFrequently Asked
What is city pop and why is it suddenly popular?▾
City pop is a Japanese pop music genre from approximately 1977–1989, characterised by sophisticated chord progressions, warm synthesiser textures, slap bass, and production influenced by American soul and funk. It gained global attention around 2019 when YouTube's algorithm spread Mariya Takeuchi's "Plastic Love" internationally. The genre is now widely referenced in lo-fi, vaporwave, and contemporary R&B production.
What city pop artists are best for sampling?▾
Tatsuro Yamashita is the most widely sampled — his arrangements are rich and his bass-forward production sits well under contemporary beats. Mariya Takeuchi, Anri, Miki Matsubara, and Junko Yagami are also referenced. Japanese pressings from the 1980s on labels like Moon Records, Air Records, and CBS Sony Japan are the most sought after on Discogs.
How do I find city pop records on Discogs?▾
Search Discogs for Japanese releases from 1977–1989 filtered to Pop or Electronic genre. Labels to watch: Moon Records, Air Records, CBS Sony Japan, and Alfa Records. CrateDrop's Pop filter with country set to Japan and years 1977–1989 will surface random city pop and related records with immediate YouTube playback.