Dropping the needle…
Learn
Start here if you’re new to city pop — or if you’re ready to buy your first original pressing.
Explainer
City pop explained: the Japanese urban pop of the late 1970s and 1980s, its sound, its bubble-era context, its key artists and its global internet revival.
Beginner’s guide
The best city pop albums for beginners — fifteen essential records from Sugar Babe’s Songs to Mariya Takeuchi’s Variety, with why each matters and where to listen.
Samples & covers
From The Weeknd to J. Cole: the Japanese city pop songs sampled and covered by international artists, and the originals behind them.
Collector’s guide
Obi strips, catalogue numbers, promos, matrix numbers and reissues — what to check before you pay.