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You’ve probably heard it before. Maybe it was a suggested video on YouTube with a retro anime thumbnail, or a sample in a Weeknd song. A groovy bassline, sparkling synthesizers, and a melody that feels like a memory of a summer you never lived.
This is City Pop.
But what exactly is this genre that has taken the internet by storm, forty years after its inception? More than just music, City Pop is an entire aesthetic—a mood of endless summers, neon-lit nights, and urban optimism.
At Suncara, this aesthetic is our obsession. Today, let’s peel back the layers of Japan’s most stylish era.
1. The Origins: The Bubble Economy Era
To understand the music, you have to understand the context. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Japan was experiencing an unprecedented economic boom, known today as the "Bubble Economy."
Tokyo was transforming into a futuristic metropolis. Technology was booming (hello, Sony Walkman), skylines were rising, and pockets were full of cash. For the first time, the Japanese youth had disposable income to spend on imported records, cars, and vacations to Hawaii.
The music had to reflect this new lifestyle. It had to sound expensive, cosmopolitan, and optimistic. Folk songs about rural life were out; songs about driving a convertible down the Shuto Expressway were in.
Tokyo in the 80s: The playground where City Pop was born.
2. The Sound: "A Music Made for FM Radio"
Musically, City Pop isn't a strict genre like "Punk" or "Metal." It’s a loose term that encompasses AOR (Adult Oriented Rock), Funk, Disco, R&B, and Boogie.
It drew heavy inspiration from American West Coast music (think Steely Dan or Earth, Wind & Fire), but filtered through Japanese perfectionism and state-of-the-art studio technology.
Key characteristics of the sound:
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The "Sparkle": Heavy use of the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer for that crystalline sound.
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Groovy Basslines: Often influenced by American funk.
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English Lyrics: Choruses often featured English phrases ("Oh my darling," "Summer breeze") to sound international and chic.
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The Vibe: It was music designed to be listened to on a car stereo while driving along the coast.
The Holy Trinity of City Pop:
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Tatsuro Yamashita: Often called the "King of City Pop," known for his perfectionist production and summer anthems like Ride on Time.
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Mariya Takeuchi: The Queen, whose song Plastic Love became the viral anthem of the genre's revival.
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Toshiki Kadomatsu: The master of instrumental fusion and summer vibes.
3. The Visual Aesthetic: Why Suncara Exists
You can’t talk about City Pop without talking about the album art. In fact, for many, the look of City Pop is just as important as the sound.
This is where the "Suncara style" comes from.
Illustrators like Hiroshi Nagai and Eizin Suzuki defined the era. They didn't paint realistic portraits of Tokyo; they painted an idealized, Americanized version of summer.
The visual staples include:
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Impossible blue skies with zero clouds.
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Californian swimming pools with sharp shadows.
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Vintage American cars (or the Toyota Soarer).
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Billboards, palm trees, and motel signs.
It was a form of escapism. Even in the middle of a rainy Tokyo winter, looking at a City Pop album cover transported you to a private resort in the Pacific.
Our collection at Suncara is directly inspired by this visual language of "Endless Summer."
4. The Revival: "Nostalgia for a Time We Never Knew"
Why is City Pop popular now?
Around 2017, the YouTube recommendation algorithm started pushing Mariya Takeuchi’s Plastic Love to millions of Western listeners. The song—a catchy, melancholic disco tune about heartbreak—struck a chord.
It birthed a phenomenon called "Fake Nostalgia." People in their 20s living in Paris, New York, or London found themselves feeling nostalgic for 1980s Japan—a time and place they had never visited.
The genre exploded, influencing modern artists (Tyler, The Creator, The Weeknd) and spawning sub-genres like Vaporwave and Future Funk.
Conclusion: Bringing the Vibe Home
City Pop is more than just a retro trend; it’s a celebration of sophistication, leisure, and the beauty of modern life. It reminds us to slow down, take a drive, and enjoy the view.
At Suncara, we believe your home should feel like a Tatsuro Yamashita song sounds: bright, colorful, and timeless.
Want to capture this aesthetic? Browse our curated collection of City Pop-inspired art prints. From poolside views to midnight drives, find the piece that brings the endless summer to your walls.
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