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[2026] From Japan to the World! A Collection of Classic City Pop Tracks in Western Music

If you’re a music lover, you’ve probably heard the term “city pop” somewhere.

We’ve also published articles on classic city pop albums on our site, but to put it simply, it’s a genre born mainly from the late 1970s to the 1980s by Japanese artists influenced by sophisticated, urban sounds like overseas AOR.

Since the 2010s, it has been rediscovered by music fans abroad and has become a boom.

The definition is somewhat vague, but in this article we highlight popular Western songs that convey the influence of this Japan-born “city pop.”

From famous tracks to hidden gems, enjoy the world of “Western City Pop”!

Playlist

[2026] From Japan to the World! A Collection of Classic City Pop Tracks in Western Music
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastOut of TimeThe Weeknd
Out of TimeThe Weekndplay_arrow
The Weeknd’s song fuses city pop with a modern sound
2eastLine By Line (feat. Cory Wong & Paul Jackson jr)PREP
Line By Line (feat. Cory Wong & Paul Jackson jr)PREPplay_arrow
PREP's city pop-like sound is captivating
3eastHave You Evermindfreakkk
Have You Evermindfreakkkplay_arrow
Mindfreak's city pop song resonates with my heart.
4eastLorettaGinger Root
LorettaGinger Rootplay_arrow
Ginger Root’s heartbreak recovery song
5eastBaby PowderJenevieve
Baby PowderJenevieveplay_arrow
City pop is popular worldwide; a new song references Anri.
6eastEverybody’s Gonna Love SomebodyAlfie Templeman
Everybody’s Gonna Love SomebodyAlfie Templemanplay_arrow
A track by young talent influenced by Japanese city pop
7eastAYAKODevin Morrison
AYAKODevin Morrisonplay_arrow
Devin Morrison’s city pop is captivating
8eastSushi In TokyoDVNA
Sushi In TokyoDVNAplay_arrow
Dana debuts with a city pop-style track
9eastGo HigherHYBS
Go HigherHYBSplay_arrow
Hybs's "Go Higher" is a city pop masterpiece
10eastLover BoyPhum Viphurit
Lover BoyPhum Viphuritplay_arrow
Phum Viphurit’s city pop love song
11eastWanderEarly Eyes
WanderEarly Eyesplay_arrow
Early Eyes' soothing city pop masterpiece
12eastAll I Do Is 4 UAngelica Vila
All I Do Is 4 UAngelica Vilaplay_arrow
Angelica Villa’s song is receiving high praise
13eastSuperficial LoveCalica ft. Magdalena Bay
Superficial LoveCalica ft. Magdalena Bayplay_arrow
City pop masterpieces by Calica and Magdalena Bay
14eastYour Satisfaction Is MineEd Motta
Your Satisfaction Is MineEd Mottaplay_arrow
Eddie Motta’s new Western-style city pop release
15eastJulie.Gallant
Julie.Gallantplay_arrow
A song in which Gallant recreates city pop overseas
16eastTokyoWIM
TokyoWIMplay_arrow
Wim from Thailand releases a solo track that portrays urban loneliness.