竹内まりや — Cassette

Intro

Mariya Takeuchi’s music is the definitive sound of a specific kind of urban romanticism. It is lush, expensive-sounding, and deeply melodic, characterized by the 'City Pop' aesthetic that blends Western disco, funk, and soft rock with a uniquely Japanese sense of longing. Her voice is steady and comforting, acting as a warm anchor amidst the glittering synthesizers and crisp, slap-bass rhythms that define her most famous era.

What truly sets her apart is the meticulous production, often helmed by her husband Tatsuro Yamashita. Every snare hit is precise, every backing vocal is perfectly stacked, and the arrangements feel both timeless and hyper-specific to the 1980s economic boom. There is a persistent tension between the upbeat, danceable grooves and the bittersweet, often lonely lyrical themes that explore the complexities of modern love and city life.

For the uninitiated, 'Variety' is the essential entry point, housing the global phenomenon 'Plastic Love.' It showcases her ability to turn a dance floor into a space for introspection. From there, the compilation 'Impressions' offers a broader look at her evolution into one of Japan’s most enduring and sophisticated singer-songwriters.

Mariya Takeuchi (竹内まりや, Takeuchi Mariya; born 20 March 1955) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded as the "Queen of City Pop", Takeuchi is one of the best-selling music artists in Japan with over 16 million records sold. Internationally, her 1985 song "Plastic Love" became a sleeper hit and the catalyst of the 21st century revival of city pop. Takeuchi was born in Taisha, Hikawa district, now the city of Izumo, Shimane, and attended Keio University. She signed with RCA in 1978, releasing five albums under the label which appeared on the Oricon Charts, including her chart-topping third effort Love Songs (1980). She terminated her contract with RCA in 1981 and announced a temporary hiatus. In 1982, she married singer and songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita. She signed with Moon Records in 1984, and internationally released her sixth studio album Variety that same year to commercial success. She has since released seven more studio albums and one live album. All of her works have continued to appear on the Oricon Charts, and since 2001, each one of her albums have topped it. Takeuchi has stayed with the Moon record label, working with the different branches since signing in 1984; since 1998, she has also been signed with Warner Music Japan. Her single "Inochi no Uta" (いのちの歌; Song of Life), when re-recorded in 2020, made her the oldest Japanese singer to have a single top the Oricon Charts.

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Our Catalog13 Albums · 1978 · 2024