#magicways

Have you ever had the joyous experience of stumbling upon your next favorite song in the most unexpected way? Perhaps it was a track by an artist you had never heard of, prompted by a captivating album cover or a song title that resonated with you. If you've found yourself in this blissful moment of musical serendipity, consider yourself fortunate – the algorithm gods were at work, tailoring your musical journey with precision.

This is a tale of how music and fandom discovery unfold through the intricate dance with algorithms. In a world where the next sonic adventure is just a click away, I found myself captivated by the melodies of an artist I hadn't known before, drawn in by the algorithmic magic that led me to his unique sound.

As I became captivated by this artist, I found myself delving into the depth of their fandom, exploring the digital communities that amplify the passion and connection shared by fans around the world. This is the story of how, in the age of algorithms, every click holds the potential to unveil a new chapter in your musical journey and immerse you in the vibrant tapestry of fandom culture.

The Discovery

One day, I found myself navigating the endless sea of YouTube videos, and in the vast expanse of digital possibilities, serendipity struck. A splash of vibrant blue caught my eye—an album cover named "Big Wave." Its colours, so vivid and reminiscent of summer, drew me in with an irresistible allure.

Intrigued, my cursor hovered over a track called "Magic Ways." With no preconceived notions, I clicked, and in an instant, I was transported to a different world. The music resonated with a kind of enchantment I hadn't expected. The rhythm, the melody – it was an auditory journey that captivated my senses.

Curiosity led me to the comments section, a digital agora where opinions and discoveries intertwine. Amidst the collective musings of fellow listeners, I unveiled the enchanting world of Japanese City Pop—an intricately woven genre with R&B and jazz influences, dating back to the late 1970s and 1980s.

During this era, Japan soared as the world's second-largest economy, poised to surpass the West with its corporate dominance and cutting-edge technology. Upwardly-mobile Japanese citizens embraced a life of luxury, adorned in designer clothes, sipping imported wine, and traversing the globe. The advent of the Sony Walkman and sophisticated car stereos allowed them to curate their on-the-go soundscapes, transforming casual strolls through the city and weekend joy rides into cinematic experiences. City Pop emerged as the soundtrack to this cosmopolitan lifestyle.

The music itself, often exuberant and glitzy, drew inspiration from American styles like funk, yacht rock, boogie, and lounge music. However, the splendor and ease embodied by city pop faced an inevitable downturn. In the harsh reality of the 1990s, Japan's economic bubble burst, thrusting the country into its “lost decade.” This historical context rendered my discovery all the more special, a glimpse into a bygone era that had momentarily slipped away. (Zhang, 2021)

At that time, the allure of city pop hadn't yet transcended the borders of Japan, turning my discovery into a sensation akin to stumbling upon a hidden treasure, a gem waiting to be unearthed from the folds of history.

But the lingering question remained: How did YouTube know I would be drawn to this kind of music? The algorithms seemed to understand the language of my preferences even before I did. In a world where every click leaves a trace, it was as if YouTube's algorithmic magic had orchestrated a symphony tailored precisely to the nuances of my musical taste, opening the door to a realm of Japanese City Pop that awaited exploration.

As I assessed the factors that brought "Magic Ways" to my YouTube feed, I realized that my immersion in the world of lo-fi music and extended jazz playlists had painted a vivid portrait of my musical preferences. The algorithm, a vigilant observer of my likes and watch history, seemed to anticipate my evolving taste. Furthermore, around 2016-2017, the genre "vaporwave" experienced a surge in popularity. Defined partly by its slowed-down, chopped, and screwed samples of smooth jazz, 1970s elevator music, R&B, and lounge music from the 1980s and 1990s, vaporwave heavily sampled from Japanese City Pop songs during that time, creating a nostalgic and disorienting sonic landscape (Rinehart, 2023). Japanese City Pop, with its inherent nostalgia, seamlessly fit into this musical milieu.

Around the same time, "Plastic Love," a Japanese City Pop song by Mariya Takeuchi, started gaining popularity. A remix of the song by future funk artist Night Tempo, released on March 11th, 2016, garnered over 2.4 million views.

Beyond that, the surge in popularity sparked discussions within online communities, notably on the /r/listentothis subreddit, where it gained significant attention. This exposure, fueled by the enthusiasm of the Reddit community, inevitably led to the song popping up in YouTube recommendations. It was through this virtual serendipity that I was introduced to "Magic Ways," and it swiftly became one of my favorite songs.

Platforms like tumblr or pinterest and other forms diluted the lines blending Japanese otaku culture with mainstream pop culture making city pop’s resurgence a testament to its timelessness.

In this delicate connection between personal preferences, algorithmic insights, and the vibrant energy of digital communities, the magic of YouTube's recommendation algorithms becomes more than a sequence of code; it transforms into a symphony that resonates with the collective harmony of music enthusiasts across the digital landscape.