Asian
Japanese city pop, K-pop, Thai funk, Bollywood — the records the rest of the world is finally catching up to. Asian vinyl at Wax Trax.
Asian Vinyl Records
For years this was the best-kept secret in the bins, and then the internet found Japanese city pop and the whole thing went vertical. Tatsuro Yamashita and Mariya Takeuchi suddenly cost real money; the reissue boom brought back everything from Haruomi Hosono's experiments to the Thai funk and luk thung comps that crate-diggers had been hoarding. Add K-pop pressings flying off shelves and Bollywood soundtracks that have soundtracked actual lives for generations, and you've got one of the most exciting corners of the store.
What You'll Find Here
Japanese city pop and ambient, J-pop and K-pop pressings, Thai funk and molam, Bollywood and Indian film scores, and assorted East and Southeast Asian imports. A mix of pricey originals, current reissues, and the import pressings that are the only way to get a lot of this on wax. City pop in particular moves fast — if you see it, grab it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Japanese city pop so expensive?
Supply and demand. The original '70s–'80s pressings were never made in huge numbers, and a global online revival turned them into grails. Reissues have helped, but the originals still command a premium.
Do you carry K-pop vinyl?
When we can get it. K-pop vinyl pressings are increasingly common and they sell quickly, so stock comes and goes.
Is this region or genre based?
Region, loosely — it's a catch-all for music from across Asia, which means the genres inside range from ambient to funk to film score.