City Pop: Buried, Then Found

Japan's 80s City Pop, from Tatsuro Yamashita's 'Sparkle' to Mariya Takeuchi's 'Plastic Love,' moves from obscurity to global viral sensation, unearthed by algorithms.

Tracklist

1. 都会 (Tokai) — Taeko Ohnuki
2. Sparkle — Tatsuro Yamashita
3. Fly-day Chinatown — Yasuha
4. Airport Lady — Toshiki Kadomatsu
5. Remember Summer Days — Anri
6. Plastic Love — Mariya Takeuchi
7. Sports Men — Haruomi Hosono

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Hope your afternoon's going well. Let's dig in.

We've got a story to unfold — let me set the frame before we drop into the music.

都会 (Tokai) — Taeko Ohnuki

都会 (Tokai) by Taeko Ohnuki — this is where the thread starts.

Sparkle — Tatsuro Yamashita

In 1980s Japan, an economic boom created a new urban sound, sophisticated and aspirational. Tatsuro Yamashita's 'Sparkle' from 1982, famously used in Suntory beer ads, became an anthem for that resort pop feeling.

Fly-day Chinatown — Yasuha

This era of dazzling studio pop eventually faded from the mainstream, becoming largely unknown outside Japan. But recommendation engines would later unearth forgotten gems like Yasuha's infectious 1981 track, 'Fly-day Chinatown,' proving their ability to find cult hits.

Airport Lady — Toshiki Kadomatsu

The algorithms weren't just finding novelty; they were recognizing the meticulous craft. Toshiki Kadomatsu's 1983 'Airport Lady' exemplifies this with its rich, funky brass arrangements, a sophisticated blend of American funk, disco, and jazz fusion.

Remember Summer Days — Anri

This music was the soundtrack to a new, affluent Japanese lifestyle, complete with personal cars and vibrant nightlife. Anri's breezy 'Remember Summer Days' from 1983, a bonus track from her chart-topping album 'Timely!!', perfectly captures that escapism and appeal.

Plastic Love — Mariya Takeuchi

The true global resurgence began when Mariya Takeuchi's 1984 hit 'Plastic Love' went viral in 2017 after an unofficial YouTube upload. This melancholic yet danceable groove, once obscure, broke into Japan's top ten sales chart decades later, proving the algorithm's power to transcend language and time.

Sports Men — Haruomi Hosono

Beyond the polished pop, algorithms also highlighted the genre's experimental edges. Haruomi Hosono, a pioneer of electronic music, offered a unique synth-pop style with his 1982 track 'Sports Men,' its cheerful synth line carrying resigned vocals.

Thanks for joining me on OffStereo. It's fascinating how a digital ear can unearth forgotten melodies, bridging decades and revealing new meanings in the music we love.