City Pop Music: From Mariya Takeuchi to Fariz RM

Mariya Takeuchi certainly didn’t expect that City Pop would be back in demand. The song “Plastic Love,” which she performed 35 years ago, is now considered one of the best city pop songs ever. This Japanese music genre brings a fresh, bold, and optimistic musical vibe. Yet, not many people know that there are also musicians and music with a similar style in Indonesia.

What is City Pop music?

The City Pop genre carries its own philosophy. City Pop emerged as a reflection of optimism towards Japan’s economic progress in the 1980s. At that time, car stereo systems were booming. People enjoyed this music while driving past the shimmering neon lights of Tokyo. That’s why this music is called City Pop.

If you listen closely, you will find a blend of Pop, Jazz, and Funk. Sometimes, synthesizer sounds also grace the melodies. All of this was thanks to the rapid growth of new technological inventions in Japan.

There are many versions of how this genre was born. However, musician and composer Tatsuro Yamashita, with his song “Ride on Time,” is said to have boosted the popularity of City Pop. Mariya Takeuchi, Tatsuro Yamashita’s wife, performed “Plastic Love” in 1984, which for me perfectly illustrates the City Pop genre itself.

City Pop music reached the peak of its popularity in the 80s. After that, it wasn’t talked about much anymore. Then, in 2010, City Pop got a second wind. The online Vaporwave community started talking about it again. This kind of music was listened to again. YouTube, through its algorithm, displayed “Plastic Love” as a recommendation on many users’ homepages. Unfortunately, these songs cannot be found on online music services like Spotify.

How about City Pop in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, City Pop doesn’t have its own specific category. Instead, it is generally considered pop music. It doesn’t have its own dedicated fans like Rock, Jazz, etc. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that City Pop is absent from the Indonesian music scene.

Economic progress in the 80s, along with the glamour of Jakarta, also led to the growth of City Pop-style music. For me, Fariz RM and Chandra Darusman, in some of their songs, bring the same vibe of Pop, Jazz, and Funk: City Pop!

Try listening to a collection of Indonesian City Pop in this Spotify playlist. It’s great to listen to, especially when driving through city streets.

The song “Selangkah ke Seberang” by Fariz RM has a very strong City Pop feel to me. Although this song has a fairly long intro, it’s very pleasant to hear. The melody is filled with 80s-style electronic instrument sounds (synthesizers), bolstered by a prominent bass line.

Candra Darusman has a different approach. His music feels more lively and energetic thanks to the use of brass instruments. Listen to the song titled “Kekagumanku” and feel the energy.

Unfortunately, the revival of Japanese City Pop couldn’t quite bring Indonesian City Pop back to life. Most people would react with surprise at how old-fashioned my music taste is when I listen to those songs. But that’s okay, those songs are clear evidence that Indonesian musicians also love to experiment with many styles and genres 🎵