Different

Released in June 2002, Different serves as the debut studio album for Belgian vocalist Kate Ryan, produced primarily by AJ Duncan and Phil Wilde. The album arrived at a pivotal moment for Eurodance, successfully pivoting the genre toward a more trance-influenced 'pop-trance' sound. It is most famous for its hit covers, particularly of Mylène Farmer's 'Désenchantée,' which became a massive pan-European success and established Ryan as a leading figure in the French-language pop revival. Sonically, the album is characterized by its polished studio production, utilizing the digital synthesizers and heavy compression typical of the early 2000s. While critics at the time, such as AllMusic, noted some 'samey' production across the 15 tracks, the album's high points remain definitive examples of the Belgian club sound. It achieved significant commercial success in Europe, earning Gold certifications in Poland and Switzerland and peaking in the top ten in Belgium. The record effectively launched Ryan's career, leading to her eventual role as a Eurovision representative and a World Music Award winner.