By Dan Lima Staff Writer Everybody should know by now that, in the field of arts and media, the Japanese remain undefeated. It’s not every day you get an industry with so many great titles to its name. From cinema classics to animation icons, they sure put up some tough competition. Music is no different. The Land of the Rising Sun has great things to offer in many genres, but city pop, music associated with the economic bubble of the ‘70s and ‘80s, remains its musical crowning achievement. Though not widely known outside of Japan, the sound of city pop won over the hearts of many with its influence from Western styles like jazz, funk, and R&B mixed with lush production and a nostalgic atmosphere. Although it fell out of style by the 1990s, it was rediscovered in the 2010s through vaporwave artists using it for samples and aesthetics. Online music sharing contributed to its revival, with a couple of classic tracks - like Miki Matsubara’s “Stay With Me” - trending now and then. But this is only a sneak peek of what city pop has to offer. As is the case with basically every music genre, you have to dig a little deeper before you start to see gold. City pop is already consistent in quality, so chances are you could come across your new favorite artist. So let’s start our deep dive with a very respected figure in the genre, Ms. Kaoru Akimoto. Starting out as a backup singer for J-pop legend Yumi Matsutoya, she landed on the radar with her single “Paradox,” featuring two songs written for the “Fire Tripper” anime OVA. Akimoto released her only studio album, “Cologne,” on March 21, 1986, which would go on to become a hidden gem within the city pop world. The intro track, “Beginning,” gets you in the zone through cloud-like strings paired with Akimoto’s comforting voice singing lyrics translating to “A melody I’ve longed for, spreading out - so dear to me - With trembling hands, I hold you close.” It’s a great way to set the tone for the album, and it serves its purpose to prepare the listener for the next track. “ナルシスト” (Narcissist) plays out in a tone very similar to Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For a Hero.” The pulsating drum beats with flashy electronics immediately set the dance floor ablaze. Its marbling synth-line segues into the highlight of the album, “Dress Down,” easily one of the best city pop tracks ever made. With such a catchy chorus and a Madonna-esque presentation, Akimoto takes the listener back to the ’80s. The album takes a complete left turn on the track “Two Call” by favoring mellow and playful instrumentation over fiery, danceable beats. While the cute and innocent synths make the song sound like something from “EarthBound” or “Sailor Moon,” Akimoto contrasts that imagery with melancholic lyrics about making amends over the phone. “夜が終わる時” (When the Night Ends) follows that same route with ambient synths and a power ballad approach being the driving force – very typical of what many other artists were doing at the time. The dance effect returns on “嘆きのPuzzle” (Puzzle of Sorrow), painting the scenery of a masquerade ball. Lyrics about love games paired with the orchestration and salsa-like beat adds to the song’s drama and romance. “我がままなハイヒール” (Selfish High Heels) brings newfound nostalgia with its whimsical sound, keeping the city pop spirit alive. Pair that with a funky bassline and it can get anybody dancing in the titular high heels. “今日はひとりきり” (I’m All Alone Tonight) plays it safe with a calm electronic melody as Akimoto sings melancholic lyrics. The track stands out with the ending keys transitioning into the next track, “Love Letter,” where soft vocals sing catchy lines. The keys and synths come together to create an epic finale but suddenly come to a halt. After constant partying, “月夜” (Moonlit Night) brings the album to a close with a ringtone-like synth and orchestration, complementing passionate singing about resting beneath the moonlight. By the end, a piano starts playing the same motif from the intro track, bringing the album full circle. For having just one album, Akimoto makes up for it beautifully. High-caliber feminine energy worth a year’s supply of HRT is exactly what makes this album a cult classic. Every song will have you reminiscing about the high life from 40 years ago. Her backing band also deserves a lot of praise with some notable city pop artists, too, like backup singer Mayumi Yamamoto, who also joined in on the fun under the stage name Cindy. Akimoto has had minimal activity after the album’s release. After joining short-lived supergroup Shambara and releasing another single in 1991, she stayed working with other musicians until the end of the decade. However, she made a small reappearance by collaborating with future funk project Night Tempo back in 2023. If you’re wondering where Ms. Akimoto is now, you can find her living her best life on Instagram!