Alexander James, known to most of us as AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, has finally released his new EP “hi my name is Alex”.
This project is a refreshing and emotional reinvention that shows listeners a side of him rarely heard during his decades with the Backstreet Boys.
While AJ has always delivered powerful, emotional vocals within BSB, the writing in that setting was rarely his own. In contrast, here, for the first time, we’re hearing songs written directly from his heart and his lived experience that show his true vulnerability and the real, stripped back Alex.
From the opening track “Can’t Love You Anymore”, it’s immediately clear he is stepping into a far more personal and vulnerable space not just as a singer, but as a songwriter. The production is modern and direct, letting his voice sit right at the center where every crack and ache comes through.
He pushes a powerful, sometimes raspy, almost angry vocal that you can’t help but feel as you hear it. His lyrics hit for anyone who has ever felt that all their effort in a relationship was not enough, even when the love was strong. This is definitely a contender for top song on this EP.
“Thinkin Bout You” is another that quickly became one of my favorites. Once the beat kicks in, it’s pure dance club energy, the kind that makes you want to move even while the lyrics hit with emotional weight. It is catchy and full of motion, giving the EP a pulse that keeps it from sinking too deep into its heavier themes.
AJ manages to balance heartbreak with something you can actually dance to, a combination that feels both nostalgic and new. “The One That Got Away” has a pretty different and distinct sound compared to the others, which feel like they are based in R&B. This one has a bit of a rock edge to it, coupled with some dance beats too. It’s an interesting sound, but it suits AJ well. It’s another song set in sadness of a relationship that did not go the way he wanted.
It’s clear he has spent a lot of time looking inward at himself and his actions over the years. And while that might seem sad, it is also hopeful, because he is most definitely at a turning point in his life. With the rest of the album still to come, I’m excited to hear what else he has in store for us.
“Arizona” stands out as the EP’s most heartfelt moment. Soft, stripped back and beautifully vulnerable, the song captures the real emotional core of the project. AJ sang this one a few times during his tour with Joey Fatone and there was never a dry eye in the house. K
nowing that AJ wrote it during a period of intense personal struggle makes the performance hit even harder. You can hear the exhaustion, the honesty and the hope in every line. Arizona feels like a confession set to music. What makes this release even more special is that fans have waited a very long time for it.
AJ has been teasing this record for years, dropping hints, snippets and promises, so the fact that we finally have it feels like cause for genuine joy. It’s not just an EP. It’s a payoff, a celebration and a moment longtime fans have been hoping for. That sense of emotion runs through the entire EP. These songs come from a place of rebuilding and rediscovery, written during one of the most challenging chapters of his life.
He is not hiding behind pop gloss or group momentum. He is simply telling the truth and letting the music carry it. AJ deserves a lot of praise for this record. It takes real courage to step forward as Alex, to let people hear not just the performer but the person.
The EP is strong, brave and musically exciting, and it shows just how much he has grown as an artist. Fans won’t have to wait long for more. His full length album arrives on January 9, his birthday, and if this EP is any indication, it is going to be something truly special.