A sombre minor key establishes a reflective mood, mirroring lyrics of self-doubt. Chromatic chord transitions elicit a nuanced emotional response, shifting from clarity to complexity. The inclusion of a dominant seventh chord instils a sense of unresolved tension, echoing the longing expressed in the verse. Conversely, a major chord, introduced through modal interchange, brings a resolution, lifting the composition to an optimistic peak in line with the song's narrative arc.

Chord progressions that dance between melancholic minor tones and uplifting major cadences are critical in Japanese popular music. These sequences frequently incorporate elements of traditional scales, such as the Hirajoshi, ensuring continuity with Japan's musical past. The fusion of these musical motifs with the distinctive lyrical nuances of the Japanese language might well be the alchemy behind the nostalgia I feel when listening to music from Japan. At least, this is my attempt to rationalise that ineffable feeling.

In Tokyo, the sounds of Japanese music abound: unobtrusive strains of J-pop fill the air of 24-hour fast-food chains in the early hours, following late nights in the city. The poignant storytelling of Enka music accompanies sake-drinking sessions in venerable old nomiya. Esoteric and minimalist pieces set the stage for installations and interpretive dance performances across the city's art galleries. In Shibuya's loft bars, hip-hop DJs remain in the boom-bap era, spinning tracks as if time stood still in 1993. Karaoke booths reverberate with the belting of high-energy songs across genres, channelling the spirit of Retsuko, the red panda, after a long day at the office.

Barkeepers, kissaten masters, snack bar matriarchs and record store owners curate music to their liking—Japanese or otherwise—in diverse venues citywide. My first encounter with a Tokyo micro bar dedicated to music occurred in the low-rise neighbourhood of Kōenji. With enough counter space to accommodate around eight patrons, this establishment had a proprietor whose unique approach was to eavesdrop on conversations at the bar and select contextually relevant tracks from his vinyl collection, which filled the walls. A symbiosis between conversation topics and the corresponding music selections would unfold, each enhancing the other against a backdrop of steadily served cocktails.