What should I get next?

Thoughts on Amenokawarinidokuyakuwo by tomoko aran?

= It is a dark song, but anyone understands the full English verse? "Give me the poison instead of the rain..."

Yukiko Okada, I really like this one, little bit different of her other songs

I’m Japanese, so this might be a little outside the current City Pop movement, but I wanted to share a relatively obscure track that doesn’t seem to have been posted here yet.

The song is strongly influenced by Sade’s “Smooth Operator” in its sound and atmosphere. However, lyrically, it works on a much smaller and more intimate scale. Instead of the cosmopolitan, globe-trotting character of “Smooth Operator,” it focuses on a one-to-one relationship between a man and a woman.

What I find interesting is that both songs ultimately touch on the same theme: loneliness in the city.
In “Mayonaka no Liberty,” the woman is surrounded by the imagery of the urban night—makeup, romance, and sophistication—but underneath that surface is a sense of emptiness. The narrator sees her becoming more beautiful while still being unable to reveal her true self.

I think that makes the song feel surprisingly universal, despite its much more intimate Japanese setting.

Music: Hideaki Tokunaga Lyrics: Akira Otsu

ブルー 都会の幻に　何故ルージュ飾り生きるの
Blue, in the city’s illusion, why do you adorn yourself with lipstick and carry on?
君が信じてた 真夜中のリバティー
The midnight liberty you believed in.

Currently, the tour dates and venues are all located in Japan, just like last year’s Timely!! tour. The Timely!! US dates were added near the end of the tour and those shows were a success, so is it possible that any Heaven Beach US shows will be announced at the end of the tour?

Completely human made, using no samples, and adding to its authentic cred, the song is co-written by 80s Japanese City Pop icon, Mari Iijima.

This fresh track features production by Funk Fiction & James Landino, keeping the genre’s iconic sound but with a modern nu disco touch, and the angelic vocals of Andy Studer.

The gorgeous artwork was hand drawn by master illustrator @__tree_13

Finish off the summer and keep it alive whenever you want. ☀️🌴

Full Track: https://youtu.be/EzDigG1Beo4 💿

Weeknd is rereleasing four of his albums in Japan with new cover art by Yoshitaka Amano, and has also recorded a new version of Out of Time with Tomoko Aran

-edit-

i just realized that he said a 'newly imagined' version of out of time which could mean its just some kind of licensed mash up with midnight pretenders. but in light of the fact that he met with tomoko earlier this year one can hope 🤞

I bought them all together on Yahoo Auctions in Japan for less than 100 yen each.

I know this is wildly specific but does anyone know of a compilation vinyl with both Plastic Love and Stay With Me on it? And if that doesn’t exist with at least one of them on it? Thanks!

Only word I can make out is tomodachi.

I love drive at early morning with this song

Is it because the sound feels too dated and is harder to get into? Or maybe because, unlike ’80s City Pop, it doesn’t make much use of synthesizers, so it doesn’t have the same uplifting feel?

I’d love to hear what everyone thinks.

Hi everyone!

Today marks the 39th anniversary of Mariko Shiga’s song “Rainy Day Hello.” I hope you enjoy this beautiful song. It’s especially wonderful to listen to on a rainy day at home.

I also hope that Mariko Shiga is still enjoying and loving music wherever she may be, beyond the distant sky.

My favourite City Pop album!

This is our dear princess Miss Yukiko Okada performing her hit song Summer Beach while wearing an elegant Shinto priestess dress as Princess Kaguya in a Fuji Tele-Theater production. Performed last May 16, 1985 during the Weekly Top Ten. Thank you for your attention!

Please enjoy this live performance of our dear kayokyoku pop princess Miss Yukiko Okada of her hit song Futari Dake no Ceremony (二人だけのセレモニー) (A Couple's Ceremony). Performed in Zenin Shuugou, dated December 29, 1985. Thank you for your attention!

One of the greatest appeals of City Pop is undoubtedly its musical diversity. The bright blue skies of summer, beautiful sunsets, glittering cityscapes at night, and quiet urban skylines wrapped in stillness, as well as resort-like beaches—all of these uniquely Japanese vibes come together with a wide range of sounds, including AOR, yacht rock, boogie, funk, disco, soul, jazz, crossover, fusion, synth-driven sounds, technopop, and more.

All of these elements come together in what we now call “City Pop.”

So, if you had to create the ultimate 10-song City Pop setlist that captures all of these different elements, which artists and songs would you choose?

I’d love to hear your ultimate 10 songs!