Rediscovering Japan’s ‘city pop’ genre feels like unlocking a missing piece of your personal puzzle. It’s a comforting memory with a pinkish glow, blending breezy, romantic funk undertones with a sophisticated sound space full of retro-futuristic promises of accessible luxury. This style of music, born during a period of economic boom in Japan, accurately reflects the carefree and affluent dream we’ve all had at some point in our lives, and it’s really no wonder it’s experienced a soft rebirth thanks to millennials and Gen Z audiences feeling like they’ve largely missed out on these sort of experiences. The genre gained immense popularity in Japan during the late 70s and throughout the 80s. This genre combines jazz, funk, and pop into a danceable package. With the rise of vaporwave and retrowave, city pop has experienced a resurgence, often associated with nostalgic anime playlists, captivating audiences worldwide.
For artists like JQ -the enigmatic mastermind behind Nulbarich– the genre holds significantly more weight due to the fact it’s a part of his cultural heritage. Debuting in October 2016 with the album “Guess Who?”, he achieved a sold-out Budokan Live performance just two years later. Performing across Asia, including Seoul, Taipei, and Shanghai, his groovy sound, born from a beatmaker background, blends bilingual vocals into an emotional, pop-original sound. The band’s name, “Null”, reflects JQ’s desire for this ambivalent style.
Nulbarich‘s take on city pop (dubbed neo-city pop) relies less on nostalgia and more on the versatile and catchy nature of the genre’s venerable influences, albeit with a genuine modern twist. This approach has established Nulbarich as one of Japan’s most prominent neo-city pop acts, now based in Los Angeles. Their Latest release is titled “Just a Game” and it features Dutch pop powerhouse Benny Sings, giving the track an even stronger international projection.
The lyrics of “Just a Game” embody a powerful message of resilience and hope, urging you to confront challenges with unwavering positivity and to triumph through adversity. The song suggests that the obstacles we encounter are akin to a grand test or ‘game’, and with unyielding determination, we have the capacity to conquer them. It emphasizes the notion that problems can fade away when confronted head-on and that ultimately, the pursuit of what lies beyond is a deeply rewarding experience in its own right.
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