Can't believe NSYNC's album was released in March 2000 and only had 4 singles all of which were released that same year. By the summer of 2001 they had already released another album. The definition of a front loaded local mess.
Back then it was the norm. It was not front loaded when it went on to sell another 10 million records.
All the major pop acts were releasing yearly albums back then i.e. Britney & BSB