Why Is Japanese City Pop Making a Comeback? 7 Essential Tracks: From The Weeknd Samples to Plastic Love and Night Tempo
Hi everyone, I'm Benny! Putting on my headphones reminded me of the familiar melody in The Weeknd's "Out Of Time": it's connected to Tomoko Aran's 1983 "Midnight Pretenders". On August 28, 2026, the new version "Out Of Time with Tomoko Aran" even brings back the original singer's voice. Why can a Japanese song from over forty years ago still become an entry point to new music today? This time I've selected 7 Japanese City Pop and related classics, from samples and official remixes to covers and commercials, to accompany you in listening to how old songs put on new clothes and make it all the way to today.
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What is City Pop? It's Not Just "Music from the Bubble Era"
City Pop is usually used to describe a group of Japanese pop music with an urban feel, often combining elements of funk, soul, disco, jazz, and AOR. For me, the most recognizable ones are the smooth bass, clean guitar, and meticulous arrangements, and that feeling of looking at the city lights from a car at night.
This label is not a strict boundary everyone agrees on, nor should all songs be considered works from the bubble economy period. Most of this playlist comes from 1979 to 1984, many predating the generally mentioned peak of Japan's bubble economy. "It feels like tomorrow will definitely be better" is the emotion I hear, not every song describing the same kind of life.
1. Tomoko Aran's "Midnight Pretenders" (1983): The Origin of The Weeknd's Sample
If you got into it through The Weeknd, I would first ask you to listen to Tomoko Aran's "Midnight Pretenders". In 2022, "Out Of Time" sampled this 1983 work, putting the familiar sound material into another song; "Out Of Time with Tomoko Aran", released on August 28, 2026, further adds Tomoko Aran's voice, making the cross-generational connection even more direct.
It's important to clarify here: it doesn't mean The Weeknd copied the entire original song, but rather that the work used the original recording material, forming a sample relationship. The collaboration introduction announced by J-WAVE also mentioned that the two collaborated in a Japanese recording studio to complete this special version.
I would suggest listening in order: "Original Song → 2022 Version → 2026 Collaboration Version", paying attention to how the same sound transforms into another kind of emotion under different vocals, rhythms, and arrangements.
Information and version links: Record Label 2026 Collaboration Version Information | J-WAVE Collaboration and Sample Introduction
2. Hitomi Toyama's "Cathy" (1983): From a Familiar BGM, Listen to the Full Song
"Cathy" is the kind of work you might have heard in a short video, but might not remember the song title. Hitomi Toyama, also often written as Hitomi Toyama, has an original song voice and groove that is perfect for listening slowly, without needing to stay only on the most familiar few seconds.
On January 31, 2024, Night Tempo released the official "CATHY (Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix)". The original song and official remix are not mutually exclusive; I would rather listen to both versions together: first feel the original flow, then compare how the new arrangement shifts attention.
You can search using "Cathy Hitomi Toyama" and "Cathy Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix", which makes it easier to find the correct version than just searching for a single BGM keyword.
Official information: Night Tempo Official Remix Release Announcement
3. Hitomi Toyama's "Wanna Kiss" (1983): Listen to the Bass First, Then Compare the MURO Edit
The same singer, listen to "Wanna Kiss" again. I would ask you this time to focus your attention on the bassline, feeling how it drives the song. If it reminds you of Queen-style bass rhythms, you can take this as a listening comparison, but do not conclude that the two songs have a sample or plagiarism relationship because of it.
If you want to listen to another entry point, you can look for "WANNA KISS - MURO edit". This version was included in Japan Columbia's March 6, 2024 compilation "Pretty Penny HITOMI TOHYAMA THE BEST & RARE", officially noted as the first CD and digital release; this date does not prove that MURO produced the edit for the first time back then.
I think the most interesting thing about listening to an edit is observing how the originally existing rhythm is newly highlighted, rather than simply asking which version "wins".
Official information: "Pretty Penny" Tracklist and MURO Edit Information
4. Miki Matsubara's "Midnight Door ~Stay With Me" (1979): A Cover is Not a Remix
Talking about an entry to City Pop, it is hard to avoid Miki Matsubara's "Midnight Door ~Stay With Me". Her comeback path is not only DJ remixes, but also short video dissemination and covers by new generation singers.
Indonesian singer Rainych released a cover version on October 30, 2020, arranged by Natsuki Harada of evening cinema. This is a new interpretation of the work with new vocals, not directly remixing Miki's original recording. After listening to Rainych, going back to listen to the original song will make it easier to feel how two different voices handle the same song.
Internet popularity can make classics rediscovered again, but it is not appropriate to simplify the entire comeback process into the creation of a single person or single platform. I understand the cover as one of the doors, not the only reason.
Official information: Rainych Cover Release Introduction
5. Mariya Takeuchi's "Plastic Love" (1984): The Original Song Itself is the Protagonist of Rediscovery
"Plastic Love" is perfect for reminding everyone: for an old song to be rediscovered, it does not necessarily need to be sped up, have drums added, or be re-sung. This 1984 work became known to more overseas listeners during its YouTube dissemination around 2017, becoming an entry point that many people think of when talking about City Pop.
My favorite way to listen is not to just treat it as a retro cover background music, but to pay attention to the space between the vocals, bass, and instruments. You will discover that what makes it so listenable is not only the sense of era, but also the completeness of the work itself.
On the internet, there are original songs, extended versions, DJ versions, and unofficial uploads, and the names may be similar. When searching, add "竹内まりや Plastic Love", and pay attention to the publisher and version markings, do not treat a certain long version as the only original version.
6. Anri's "Remember Summer Days" (1983): The B-Side Can Also Become a Representative Entry
Anri's "Remember Summer Days" was originally the B-side of the single "Kanashimi ga Tomaranai". For today's listeners, whether it was the A-side or B-side back then may not determine which song you will like the most.
On July 24, 2019, Night Tempo released "Anri - Night Tempo presents ザ・昭和グルーヴ", which includes "Remember Summer Days (Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix)". This official remix provides another rhythmic entry point, and also allows the original song to be contrasted with the Future Funk context.
I would first listen to the summer feel of the original song, then compare how Night Tempo puts the focus on the groove. As for streaming top three rankings and such, they will change, and you do not need to rely on a real-time ranking to prove that a song is worth listening to.
Information link: Night Tempo Official Biography and 2019 Release Information | Anri Official Remix Tracklist
7. Tatsuro Yamashita's "Christmas Eve" (1983): Not Relying on Vaporwave, But Coming Back Every Winter
For the finale, I choose "Christmas Eve". It is a 1983 work, and the 1988 JR Tokai commercial became an important dissemination entry point, connecting the music with images of going home, train stations, and waiting. Rather than saying it is rediscovered every time, it is better to say the song gradually becomes a seasonal memory.
Putting this song in the playlist is not to prove that it belongs to the same narrow category as every funk-oriented work, but to say: old Japanese songs can continue their life through completely different routes.
The script mentioning "39 consecutive years" is an earlier record; the Guinness World Records data has been updated to the verified record of 40 consecutive years entering the Japan single chart in 2025. I will mention the years together to avoid treating old numbers as eternally fixed latest records.
Information link: Guinness World Records Record and Verification Date | Tatsuro Yamashita Official 50th Anniversary Website
Sample, Remix, Edit, Cover, What is the Difference?
- Sample: Using a part of an existing recording and putting it into another work. The Weeknd and "Midnight Pretenders" this time is a clear example.
- Remix: Reprocessing existing recording elements, the arrangement, timbre, and rhythm can have significant changes.
- Edit: Often uses cutting, repeating, extending, or adjusting sections to highlight the groove, but the actual method can overlap with remix, and should be seen by the official version marking.
- Cover: Re-singing and re-recording the same work, not directly using the original singer's recording.
- Original Song Rediscovery: Recommendations, short videos, playlists, or commercials make more people hear the original version, not necessarily having a new arrangement at all.
Vaporwave and Future Funk, How Are They Connected to City Pop?
It can be understood with a simplified listening experience: Vaporwave often slows down old recordings, adds reverb, and uses repetitive cutting to create a distorted, nostalgic, and even a spatial feel like an empty mall broadcast. However, not all Vaporwave is Japanese music, and not all works rely only on slowing down.
Future Funk, on the other hand, usually focuses more on dancefloor rhythms, commonly featuring brighter, more bouncy rhythms, loop cutting, and drum beats. City Pop is one of its common material and inspiration sources, but the two are not synonyms, and speeding up Vaporwave does not necessarily turn it into Future Funk.
I think the role of the two internet music cultures is to open new entry points for some old songs; but covers, streaming recommendations, record re-releases, and commercials can also make old songs heard, without needing to attribute all the credit to a single style.
Common Questions for City Pop Entry
Which Japanese song did The Weeknd sample?
In 2022, "Out Of Time" sampled Tomoko Aran's 1983 "Midnight Pretenders"; on August 28, 2026, "Out Of Time with Tomoko Aran" was released separately, adding Tomoko Aran's voice.
For the first time listening to City Pop, which song should I start with?
If you are familiar with The Weeknd, listen to "Midnight Pretenders" first; if you want to start with widely known classics, you can choose "Plastic Love" or "Midnight Door". After that, expand according to your favorite vocals, bass, or rhythm, without having to strictly follow rankings.
Is the Night Tempo version the original song?
No. The same song may have an original version and Night Tempo's official remix, usually you can pay attention to version markings such as "Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix". To understand the changes, I would listen to the original song first and then compare.
Is City Pop equal to Vaporwave?
No. City Pop is a common style label for Japanese pop music; Vaporwave and Future Funk can reuse parts of some works through sampling or cutting, the two have intersections but are not the same.
How to search so you do not listen to the wrong version?
Search using "Song Title + Singer + Version Name", for example "Wanna Kiss Hitomi Toyama MURO edit". Prioritize confirming the singer, record label, or official platform marking; platform availability and versions will vary by region.
What Benny Finally Wants to Say: What We Miss Might Be a Sound Looking Forward
For me, what everyone likes may not be the bubble itself, but that "tomorrow will definitely be better" sound. This is my listening experience, not representing that all works only have optimism left; sometimes the more upbeat arrangements contain even more complex emotions.
That era cannot be returned to, but a bassline, a vocal, or a new edit can still take us back to listen to the full song. Save this 7-song playlist, start with the original song tonight, then listen to the comeback entry point. I'm Benny, let's listen slowly together, and discover another side of Japanese culture.
