J-Top is a greatest hits album by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai, released by Sony BMG on May 5, 2006.[1] The album features 20 tracks from her time with Sony, along with four music videos, a documentary, a remix medley, and two previously unreleased songs.[1] It sold over 100,000 copies in Taiwan and ranked as the fifth best-selling album of the year in 2006.[2]
On April 11, 2006, media reports revealed that Sony BMG planned to release a greatest hits compilation for Tsai in early May of that year.[3] On April 20, 2006, it was further reported that the album would be officially released on May 5.[4] Pre-orders for the album began on April 21, 2006.[1]
On April 11, 2006, media reports revealed that Sony BMG would release a greatest hits compilation for Tsai in early May of that year. On April 20, the label officially announced the release of J-Top on May 5, 2006. Preorders for the album began on April 21. The album, which was released on May 5, included 20 tracks from Tsai's albums under Sony, four music videos, a documentary, a remix medley, and two previously unreleased songs: "My Choice" and "Clothing Astrology".[1][5]
Writing
The songs "My Choice" and "Clothing Astrology" were originally recorded by Tsai during her time with Sony but were excluded from previous albums to maintain a balanced musical style. "My Choice" is a delicate ballad that opens with piano and features sweeping strings in the chorus to heighten its emotional depth, portraying the helplessness and reluctance following the end of a relationship.
"Clothing Astrology" is a mid-tempo dance track with a strong, distinct rhythm infused with hip-hop influences, showcasing Tsai's sultry side. For this compilation, Sony BMG also produced a remix medley, blending six songs—"Signature Gesture", "Magic", "Say Love You", "Overlooking Purposely", "Prague Square", and "Rewind"—into an electronic dance version.[6]
Music Videos
On April 26, 2006, Sony BMG released the music video for the song "My Choice", directed by Chin Cho. The video featured Ring Chiu, a member of the group MYRS who bears a striking resemblance to Tsai, in the lead role.[7][8] The audience response was mixed.[9] On May 27, 2006, Sony BMG released the music video for "Clothing Astrology", directed by Bill Chia. The video showcased six doll-like costumes recreating Tsai's fashion styles from the era of Magic (2003) through J-Game (2005). Sony BMG described the work as a "graduation gift" to Tsai, expressing their best wishes.[10]
Commercial performance
In its first week of release, the album debuted at number one on the weekly sales charts of both G-Music and Five Music in Taiwan.[11][12] By December 12, 2006, media reports confirmed that the album had sold over 100,000 copies in Taiwan and ranked as the fifth best-selling album of 2006 in the region.[2] Additionally, it placed number 14 on Five Music's annual sales chart for that year.[13]
Critical reception
Shu Wa of Tencent Entertainment noted that this greatest hits compilation was released just one week before Tsai's first album with EMI, Dancing Diva (2006), putting her in a position of competing with her own work in the market. The album features 20 hit singles from her Sony era, alongside two new songs and video content from the J1 World Tour. It was Tsai's first greatest hits album to offer a pre-order option and remains her best-selling compilation from the Sony period.[14]
Stephen Lee of Sina Music commented that the album effectively consolidates Tsai's representative works during her Sony BMG years, including popular tracks like "Say Love You", "Magic", "Sky", "Overlooking Purposely", "Pirates", and "J-Game", all of which enjoyed popularity across the Greater China region. He regarded the compilation as an important retrospective of her musical style at that time. Regarding the new tracks, he felt "My Choice" was a lyrical ballad but lacked distinctiveness, while "Clothing Astrology" was overall unremarkable. In contrast, the older songs held greater appeal.[15]
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