DFOM Student Feylin James Studies City Pop with the Undergraduate Research Award

Last summer, Desautels Faculty of Music student Feylin James received an Undergraduate Research Award grant to study the Japanese genre, City Pop, under the direction of musicologist Dr. Colette Simonot-Maiello. The University of Manitoba’s Undergraduate Research Award (URA) is open to undergraduate students in all fields and ranges of research, scholarly works, or creative activities. The URA, which is made possible through funding from the Office of the Vice-President (Research & International) and the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), along with support from faculties, provides undergraduate students with access to exciting research opportunities.

Central to Fey’s research last summer were the concepts of exoticism and nostalgia and how they manifest in City Pop. Fey analysed the complexities of exoticism and globalisation in music, showing how City Pop is part of a broader global conversation that challenges traditional notions of cultural otherness. As she points out, “City Pop incorporates Western musical styles such as jazz fusion and funk, reinterpreting them through a Japanese lens.” This fusion creates a form of musical exoticism where the genre is simultaneously familiar and distinct, offering Western listeners a taste of Japanese culture without presenting it as an entirely foreign or stereotypical “other.” For Western listeners, the exoticism of City Pop, with its blend of Western styles and Japanese aesthetics, offers an exoticized and nostalgic fantasy of Tokyo’s cosmopolitan lifestyle. This dynamic highlights how City Pop’s appeal extends beyond traditional notions of exoticism, embracing a more fluid and interconnected approach to cultural exchange.

Fey’s examination of the evocation of nostalgia in this genre involved a close reading of musical characteristics of Miki Matsubara’s 1979 hit Mayonaka no Door (Stay with Me), including elements of production, as well as the impact of modern technology on the global resurgence of City Pop, and this song in particular. The use of the internet and social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok has played a crucial role in reintroducing City Pop to new audiences worldwide. Fey states, “The viral spread of Miki Matsubara’s Mayonaka no Door (Stay with Me) and other City Pop classics illustrates how these platforms facilitate cultural exchange and appreciation.” This resurgence reflects a broader trend of globalisation where cultural products are not merely exoticized but interpreted and integrated into a global musical landscape. Matsubara’s 1979 hit conveys a shared nostalgia that is not merely personal but collective, tied to a period of optimism and global engagement in Japan’s history.

Fey is currently expanding her research on City Pop into a longer Special Topics Paper as part of the requirements for her B.Mus. in Music History.

Interested in the URA? The deadline is February 17, 2025:

Students apply to be mentored for 16 weeks (full-time from May through August) by a professor of their choice. This is a competitive award. Some of the award highlights are as follows:

• Up to 205 URAs are available across all disciplines at UM, plus two (2) additional awards for community-based projects (supported by SSHRC).
• A minimum of 21 URAs are available for students who self-declare as Indigenous.
• The award carries a monetary value of $7000.
• The award is a recognized UM Co-Curricular Record activity.
• For more information please see: https://umanitoba.ca/research/opportunities-support/undergraduate-research-awards

DFOM Communications