Japan

At the dawn of the ’80s, Japan’s sophisticated fusion of post-disco, glam, and art rock sounded like the future.

Driven by Mick Karn’s liquid bass grooves, Richard Barbieri’s glittering keyboards, and David Sylvian’s elegant vocal presence, songs like 1979’s “Life in Tokyo” and “Quiet Life” ushered in the early-’80s New Romantic movement and inspired bands like Duran Duran.

Japan formed in Catford, South London, in 1974 and were heavily inspired by David Bowie and Roxy Music on early albums, starting with their 1978 debut, Adolescent Sex.