Choosing a standout from the long list of classics by city pop’s reigning icon, Tatsuro Yamashita, isn’t easy—but if pressed, we’d likely go with his second RCA release, Spacy. Recorded in 1977 after Yamashita wrapped up studio work in the U.S. with producer and composer Charlie Callelo, the album boasts a remarkable lineup of Japanese heavyweights, including Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Minako Yoshida, Kenji Ohmura, and Hiroshi Sato. Every signature element of Yamashita’s sound is in full effect here—soaring vocals, imaginative string sections, glossy keyboards, and crisp, funky guitar riffs—but the grooves feel especially punchy this time around. Spin “A5 Dancer” and “Solid Slider” and you’ll immediately hear what sets this record apart.

We include one warning: heavy breaks ahead!