Reviving 2000s J-POP

In the 2000s, artists like Hikaru Utada, Mai Kuraki, Namie Amuro, and MISIA rose to prominence with their R&B- and dance-oriented hits. Yet hidden behind these mega-hits were countless masterpieces across Japan that likely never saw the spotlight-songs that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly new. This collection brings together such undiscovered gems. At the time, co-writing wasn't as common in Japan as it was overseas, which ironically allowed each artist's individuality to shine through and kept the music from becoming generic. This album is an effort to visualize and showcase that "alternative history," acting as an underground route that supplements the mainstream narrative found in existing music criticism. For younger generations and international listeners, the unique fusion of J-POP and R&B can feel surprisingly fresh. With the global reappraisal of city pop now underway, 2000s "J-Urban" is also gaining renewed attention. Far from sounding dated, these tracks-crafted with early 2000s technology and sensibilities-can now be viewed in a more alternative light, revealing that it's precisely their flexibility and adaptability that make them timeless masterpieces. This album was created around that very concept.