The Essential *NSYNC is the third compilation album released by American boyband NSYNC, released on July 29, 2014, four years after their second compilation The Collection (2010). It is also the second overall album under RCA Records following their self-titled album in 1998. The album contains a total of thirty-four tracks, including hit singles, album tracks, B-sides, rare recordings and soundtrack features. Despite only being a compilation release, the album received wide press coverage as it was revealed none of the band members were told about its release.