Steven Smith
@durianmilkshake.bsky.social
I write a weekly newsletter on the latest Japanese "City Music" with an accompanying playlist. It is free!
🚫No AI is used!🚫
Newsletter: https://neocitypop.substack.com/
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ojdY5RKVdES4RcvGFB6fJ?si=f7cda9e7015b4c
🚫No AI is used!🚫
Newsletter: https://neocitypop.substack.com/
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ojdY5RKVdES4RcvGFB6fJ?si=f7cda9e7015b4c
Pinned
Steven Smith
@durianmilkshake.bsky.social
· Dec 12
A Starter's Guide to Neo City Pop
The format of this graphic is inspired by (stolen from) @earfeeder.bsky.social. I posted this on Twitter a year ago, but it looked like they weren’t using Twitter by that point so there’s a good chance they didn’t see it.
The format of this graphic is inspired by (stolen from) @earfeeder.bsky.social. I posted this on Twitter a year ago, but it looked like they weren’t using Twitter by that point so there’s a good chance they didn’t see it.
Reposted by Steven Smith
This one has been in my head since this afternoon...
A MF JAM.
A MF JAM.
Meshell Ndegeocello - Soul Searchin' (I Wanna Know If It's Mine)
YouTube video by BigPeter1086 Real Music Channel
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 AM
This one has been in my head since this afternoon...
A MF JAM.
A MF JAM.
I don't think I've ever been happy with a "dream collaboration". Put my 5 favorite artists on the same track and they'll find a way to screw it up.
November 13, 2025 at 5:11 AM
I don't think I've ever been happy with a "dream collaboration". Put my 5 favorite artists on the same track and they'll find a way to screw it up.
祈り
open.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I need to know more about the Billboard live venues - is the understanding that if you perform there they record the performance? And that you put it out as a live album?
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I need to know more about the Billboard live venues - is the understanding that if you perform there they record the performance? And that you put it out as a live album?
When I heard salasa had a song coming out called “Thinking of You” I wondered if it was a cover of the BONNIE PINK song (it was not). But now she’s posted a cover of a whole other BONNIE PINK song… 🤔
This year is her 30th anniversary so maybe it’s more of a tribute
youtu.be/98qw8kaoqz4
This year is her 30th anniversary so maybe it’s more of a tribute
youtu.be/98qw8kaoqz4
[COVER] さらさ – Heaven‘s Kitchen (BONNNIE PINK) ｜Studio Live Session
YouTube video by さらさ
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
When I heard salasa had a song coming out called “Thinking of You” I wondered if it was a cover of the BONNIE PINK song (it was not). But now she’s posted a cover of a whole other BONNIE PINK song… 🤔
This year is her 30th anniversary so maybe it’s more of a tribute
youtu.be/98qw8kaoqz4
This year is her 30th anniversary so maybe it’s more of a tribute
youtu.be/98qw8kaoqz4
Reposted by Steven Smith
i have one follow up question on the newjeans news
November 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
i have one follow up question on the newjeans news
Reposted by Steven Smith
November 12, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Steven Smith
Gotta designate 4 people. A few different angles.
The rest of you...
The rest of you...
November 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Gotta designate 4 people. A few different angles.
The rest of you...
The rest of you...
I was 99% sure that song was based in fact and 100% sure the baby did not make it. Not sure what to believe now.
I wasn't prepared for how this story ends. Them being able to track down the baby isn't even the craziest part.
Jeff Pearlman found Brenda and the baby from Tupac's "Brenda's Got A Baby."
November 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I was 99% sure that song was based in fact and 100% sure the baby did not make it. Not sure what to believe now.
Satoko Shibata waxing poetic about Taylor Swift is kind of funny, but I had no idea they used one of her songs for a super famous reality show. Maybe this is a Häagen-Dazs situation?
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Satoko Shibata waxing poetic about Taylor Swift is kind of funny, but I had no idea they used one of her songs for a super famous reality show. Maybe this is a Häagen-Dazs situation?
Reposted by Steven Smith
【特集】柴田聡子が語るテイラー・スウィフト
“嘘とか本当とか関係ない次元で
私たちは彼女の影響を受けてしまう”
https://natalie.mu/music/pp/taylorswift-shibata
テイラー・スウィフト 新作アルバム
「The Life of a Showgirl」発売記念インタビュー
“嘘とか本当とか関係ない次元で
私たちは彼女の影響を受けてしまう”
https://natalie.mu/music/pp/taylorswift-shibata
テイラー・スウィフト 新作アルバム
「The Life of a Showgirl」発売記念インタビュー
November 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
【特集】柴田聡子が語るテイラー・スウィフト
“嘘とか本当とか関係ない次元で
私たちは彼女の影響を受けてしまう”
https://natalie.mu/music/pp/taylorswift-shibata
テイラー・スウィフト 新作アルバム
「The Life of a Showgirl」発売記念インタビュー
“嘘とか本当とか関係ない次元で
私たちは彼女の影響を受けてしまう”
https://natalie.mu/music/pp/taylorswift-shibata
テイラー・スウィフト 新作アルバム
「The Life of a Showgirl」発売記念インタビュー
Egregious vinyl November continues
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Egregious vinyl November continues
Reposted by Steven Smith
Just a quick PSA: word of mouth will forever and always be the best vessel for music discovery. Yes, algorithms can steer you towards music that aligns w/ the taste you've fed it over time, but a human literally saying "you should check this out" offers a superior layer of personalization.
The algorithm failed music
The algorithm failed music
True music discovery has suffered.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Just a quick PSA: word of mouth will forever and always be the best vessel for music discovery. Yes, algorithms can steer you towards music that aligns w/ the taste you've fed it over time, but a human literally saying "you should check this out" offers a superior layer of personalization.
Reposted by Steven Smith
I wrote about Lynden David Hall’s debut album. A wonderful artist lost too soon.
Lynden David Hall released his debut album ‘Medicine 4 My Pain’ 28 years ago on November 10, 1997 | Listen to the album + revisit our tribute here: album.ink/LDHm4mp
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
I wrote about Lynden David Hall’s debut album. A wonderful artist lost too soon.
Absolutely no idea why this is so cheap but can’t wait to get home and find out
November 9, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Absolutely no idea why this is so cheap but can’t wait to get home and find out
Reposted by Steven Smith
Reposted by Steven Smith
Musiq Soulchild released his debut album ‘Aijuswanaseing’ (2000) 25 years ago this week | Listen to the album + read our tribute by @paisleysparks44.bsky.social here: album.ink/MsqSlchldAijus
Musiq Soulchild’s Debut Album ‘Aijuswanaseing’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Since his debut album’s arrival, Musiq Soulchild has carved out his own lane with some aplomb and stayed in the game longer and more consistently than many of his contemporaries.
album.ink
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Musiq Soulchild released his debut album ‘Aijuswanaseing’ (2000) 25 years ago this week | Listen to the album + read our tribute by @paisleysparks44.bsky.social here: album.ink/MsqSlchldAijus
Reposted by Steven Smith
I wrote about Musiq’s debut album. Have a read. Please!
Musiq Soulchild released his debut album ‘Aijuswanaseing’ (2000) 25 years ago this week | Listen to the album + read our tribute by @paisleysparks44.bsky.social here: album.ink/MsqSlchldAijus
Musiq Soulchild’s Debut Album ‘Aijuswanaseing’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Since his debut album’s arrival, Musiq Soulchild has carved out his own lane with some aplomb and stayed in the game longer and more consistently than many of his contemporaries.
album.ink
November 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I wrote about Musiq’s debut album. Have a read. Please!
I have no idea why but this *dance video* was AI-dubbed and it may be the only good thing generative AI has accomplished
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdx7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdx7...
yurinasia : Lucky Kilimanjaro
YouTube video by jABBKLAB
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I have no idea why but this *dance video* was AI-dubbed and it may be the only good thing generative AI has accomplished
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdx7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdx7...
Reposted by Steven Smith
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth released ‘The Main Ingredient’ 31 years ago on November 8, 1994
album.ink/MainIngredient
album.ink/MainIngredient
Rediscover Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s ‘The Main Ingredient’ (1994) | Tribute
Although their collaborative career was short-lived, the dynamic duo left us with two amazing LPs and one hell of an intro EP; an abbreviated catalog that outweighs far lengthier discographies.
album.ink
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth released ‘The Main Ingredient’ 31 years ago on November 8, 1994
album.ink/MainIngredient
album.ink/MainIngredient
Real music for the soul
basicmusic81.bandcamp.com/track/--4
basicmusic81.bandcamp.com/track/--4
キムチ, by BASI
from the album RAP AMAZING / BASI
basicmusic81.bandcamp.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Real music for the soul
basicmusic81.bandcamp.com/track/--4
basicmusic81.bandcamp.com/track/--4