Japanese City Pop music, a genre that emerged in the late 1970s and flourished throughout the 1980s, has found renewed popularity in recent years, particularly within the context of nostalgia trends. Its distinctive sound, blending jazz, funk, rock, and pop with a sleek, urban aesthetic, resonates with listeners looking for a connection to a past era. The genre’s resurgence is not only due to its musical appeal but also because of its role in evoking memories of a rapidly changing Japan and an idealized vision of modernity and luxury that defined the economic boom period.
City Pop’s connection to nostalgia is intricately tied to its roots in a specific cultural and historical moment. During the late 20th century, Japan underwent significant social and economic shifts, with the 1980s marking the height of its “bubble economy.” The genre emerged as a soundtrack to a time of prosperity, high consumerism, and the urban lifestyle. Artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, and Anri, with their catchy melodies and sophisticated arrangements, captured the optimism, the vibrant nightlife, and the cosmopolitan allure of Japan’s metropolitan centers, such as Tokyo. Their music mirrored a Japan that was modernizing rapidly and adopting Western influences while maintaining its cultural uniqueness.
The current revival of City Pop in the global music scene can be attributed to several key factors. One of the primary drivers is the internet, particularly platforms like YouTube, where City Pop tracks have found new audiences across the globe. The resurgence can also be seen in the aesthetic and cultural interests of younger generations, especially millennials and Gen Z, who are captivated by the vintage aesthetics and “retro-futuristic” appeal of the 1980s. This fascination with the past isn’t confined to music alone; it spans fashion, film, and other elements of popular culture, making City Pop a perfect fit for the larger nostalgia trend.
One of the most significant aspects of City Pop’s role in nostalgia trends is its ability to blend past and present. The genre evokes the era of the 1980s in Japan but does so with a sound that feels timeless. The lush production, groovy basslines, and smooth vocals offer a sense of escapism, transporting listeners to a world of neon lights, sleek cars, and carefree evenings in bustling cityscapes. For younger generations, City Pop represents a romanticized version of the past that they never experienced, creating a feeling of longing and connection to a time that feels both distant and alluring.
Additionally, the visual elements associated with City Pop have contributed significantly to its nostalgic appeal. Album covers from the era often feature neon colors, abstract patterns, and images of glamorous lifestyles, further enhancing the connection between the music and the visual aesthetics of the time. The resurgence of these designs in digital media, fashion, and even social media trends has reinforced the genre’s ties to nostalgia. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have played a pivotal role in amplifying City Pop’s appeal by making it easy to share both the music and its visual culture.
The resurgence of City Pop is also tied to the larger phenomenon of “vaporwave,” a microgenre of music and internet culture that draws heavily on 1980s aesthetics, including the use of Japanese imagery and City Pop sounds. Vaporwave often incorporates smooth jazz, lounge music, and other elements that were central to City Pop, all while creating a surreal, slowed-down, and digitally manipulated sound. For many listeners, City Pop and vaporwave are intertwined, with both genres providing an entry point into the world of 1980s nostalgia. This crossover between music genres highlights the role of City Pop in shaping a broader nostalgic movement that embraces both Japanese culture and Western influences.
In Japan, City Pop’s nostalgic revival is part of a broader cultural interest in revisiting the 1980s and 1990s. The nation’s economy may have undergone significant changes since the bubble burst in the early 1990s, but the music of the era offers a comforting glimpse into a more prosperous time. The revival of City Pop has even seen the genre incorporated into modern advertising, fashion, and entertainment, reinforcing its cultural significance and connection to a time of optimism and affluence. For many, it serves as a reminder of a period in Japan’s history when the country was a global economic powerhouse, and the future seemed full of limitless potential.
The global appeal of City Pop, however, transcends its historical and cultural origins. Its upbeat and smooth sound has found fans far beyond Japan, particularly in Western countries where listeners appreciate the fusion of genres and the nostalgic charm that accompanies it. The music’s accessibility on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube has allowed listeners worldwide to discover and appreciate this genre that once existed mainly in Japan’s domestic market. This global rediscovery has opened the door for collaborations between Japanese and international artists, further promoting City Pop’s international popularity.
The resurgence of City Pop music also taps into the idea of “reminiscence,” where people feel a deep connection to a past that they may never have directly experienced. For fans who were not alive during the 1980s or were too young to remember the era, the music offers a glimpse into a more glamorous, carefree, and aspirational world. It is an escape, a way to experience the past through the lens of modern sensibilities, offering listeners a sense of both nostalgia and discovery. For older listeners, City Pop evokes memories of their youth, a time when they were part of a rapidly modernizing society, making the music both a personal and collective reflection of a shared history.
In conclusion, Japanese City Pop music plays a significant role in the broader nostalgia trend by offering a sonic and visual connection to the 1980s, a time of economic prosperity and cultural transformation in Japan. Its appeal lies in its timeless sound, its evocative lyrics, and its representation of an idealized vision of the past. Whether through the resurgence of its music on digital platforms, its integration into vaporwave culture, or its influence on modern fashion and advertising, City Pop has become a key player in the global nostalgia movement, offering a window into a nostalgic past while remaining relevant in the present.