Essential city pop listening

The albums that define city pop.

Our picks for where to start with city pop — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The city pop essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

VARIETY

Mariya Takeuchi

VARIETY

A vibrant blend of city pop and disco infused with soulful melodies and nostalgic grooves.

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Feet on the Ground

APO Hiking Society

Feet on the Ground

A vibrant blend of Manila sound and easy listening, radiating warmth and nostalgia through lush harmonies.

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Timely!!

Anri

Timely!!

Anri's smooth vocals glide over lush arrangements, blending city pop with a nostalgic 80s sheen.

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Trouble in Paradise

Anri

Trouble in Paradise

Anri's vibrant blend of city pop and J-pop creates a colorful, upbeat soundscape filled with catchy melodies and playful lyrics.

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Cobalt Hour

Yumi Matsutoya

Cobalt Hour

A lush blend of jazz-inflected melodies and heartfelt lyrics that capture the essence of 1970s Japanese pop.

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Misslim

Yumi Matsutoya

Misslim

A lush tapestry of melodic pop and folk, infused with jazz elements and introspective lyrics.

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Hikoukigumo

Yumi Matsutoya

Hikoukigumo

Charming melodies weave together folk rock and jazzy elements, creating a dreamy landscape of introspective storytelling.

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Toki no Nai Hotel

Yumi Matsutoya

Toki no Nai Hotel

A lush tapestry of jazz-infused melodies and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of wistful nostalgia.

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Treasures

Tatsurō Yamashita

Treasures

A vibrant fusion of city pop and soul, laden with lush arrangements and infectious melodies.

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Greatest Hits! of Tatsuro Yamashita

Tatsurō Yamashita

Greatest Hits! of Tatsuro Yamashita

A vibrant fusion of pop and R&B that encapsulates the essence of Japan's city pop era.

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Softly

Tatsurō Yamashita

Softly

A soothing blend of city pop and soul, infused with nostalgic melodies and rich harmonies.

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Pacific

Tatsurō Yamashita

Pacific

A serene blend of lush melodies and breezy rhythms that evoke the essence of a sun-soaked island paradise.

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Season's Greetings

Tatsurō Yamashita

Season's Greetings

A warm and nostalgic blend of city pop and traditional Christmas melodies that evoke a festive spirit.

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Rarities

Tatsurō Yamashita

Rarities

A nostalgic blend of city pop and soul, echoing the warmth of vibrant Japanese summers.

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Brasilian Skies

Masayoshi Takanaka

Brasilian Skies

A vibrant blend of jazz-funk and city pop, infused with Brazilian rhythms and lush instrumental textures.

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JOLLY JIVE

Masayoshi Takanaka

JOLLY JIVE

A vibrant blend of city pop and jazz-funk that captures the essence of late '70s Japanese music.

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PORTRAIT

Mariya Takeuchi

PORTRAIT

A vibrant blend of disco grooves and soulful melodies that defines Japan's city pop movement.

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Seychelles

Masayoshi Takanaka

Seychelles

A vibrant fusion of jazz-funk and city pop, enveloped in tropical rhythms and sun-soaked melodies.

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Mga Kuwento ng Apo

APO Hiking Society

Mga Kuwento ng Apo

A vibrant fusion of Manila sound and easy listening, capturing the warmth of Filipino life and love.

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Songbuk ng APO

APO Hiking Society

Songbuk ng APO

A vibrant blend of Manila sound and city pop, infused with catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

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Pagkatapos ng Palabas

APO Hiking Society

Pagkatapos ng Palabas

A vibrant blend of Manila sound and city pop, infused with heartfelt harmonies and lush instrumentation.

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Dating Alternatib

APO Hiking Society

Dating Alternatib

A breezy blend of Manila sound and city pop that captures the essence of 90s Filipino romance.

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Banda Rito

APO Hiking Society

Banda Rito

A warm blend of Manila sound and easy listening, infused with heartfelt melodies and relatable lyrics.

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Made in the Philippines

APO Hiking Society

Made in the Philippines

A vibrant blend of Manila sound and city pop, infused with heartfelt melodies and engaging storytelling.

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