The Backstreet Boy Strips Away the Armor and Reintroduces Himself on a Powerful New Solo EP
He defined pop's biggest era. Now, after three decades, Alexander James McLean reclaims his name, his narrative, and his music by embracing vulnerability and a powerful new sound.
To millions around the globe, he is instantly recognizable as AJ McLean, the smooth-singing, soul-patch-rocking member of the Backstreet Boys, the pop monolith that defined a generation. But as he steps forward to release his raw, six-track solo EP, “hi my name is Alex” on November 27th, the multi-platinum artist is offering the world a necessary, unvarnished reintroduction: Meet Alexander James.
After three decades of dizzying, worldwide fame, stadium tours, and helping the Backstreet Boys achieve over 190 million albums sold and multiple GRAMMY nominations, this new project is not just a side-hustle—it’s a rebirth. It’s the culmination of years spent navigating the pressure of a stage persona and the quiet, persistent voice of the man beneath the spotlight.
“AJ has been my armor for a long time,” McLean shares, with a candor that immediately sets this chapter apart. “Alexander is who I really am — a father, a friend, a survivor, and someone who’s finally comfortable being honest, being myself. This EP is Alex.”
While the BSB legacy is cemented—a global footprint that includes hit records and memorable TV appearances, from his stint as a judge on The Fashion Hero to his triumphant win as Poppy Love on RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race—this solo effort charts a course into fearless new territory.
“hi my name is Alex” is a sonic journey that reclaims the infectious pop sensibilities fans adore while injecting a palpable sense of vulnerability and rock-tinged soul. It’s a testament to his creative partnership with a top-tier team, including GRAMMY-nominated producer Rob Grimaldi (known for his work with Teddy Swims, Blackpink, and BTS).
The EP is packed with genre-bending bangers, like the newly teased “Can’t Love You Anymore” and “Thinking Bout Us,” but it finds its emotional anchor in tracks like the vibey, introspective “The One That Got Away,” a deep dive into self-sabotage and lost love.
The centerpiece of the EP, however, is the track “Arizona.” It’s a song born from the very place that inspired McLean to step into his authentic self. The song is a raw, reflective testament to his time in recovery, a period where he began the crucial, difficult work of separating AJ McLean, the international pop star, from Alexander James, the human being.
“That time in Arizona changed everything for me,” McLean says. “It’s where I started learning who Alex really is. Once I did that, the music opened up — it became bigger, deeper, and way more honest.”
This creative freedom is evident throughout the six tracks. It’s the sound of an artist finally comfortable in his own skin, embracing every facet of his journey—the highs, the hits, and the struggles.
With “hi my name is Alex” serving as a powerful prelude to a full-length album slated for early 2026, Alexander James McLean is not simply testing the waters; he is plunging in headfirst. He is poised to show the world a bold, exciting new chapter—one that honors the glorious pop past while courageously, and honestly, stepping into his truth.
Alexander James’s EP “hi my name is Alex” is available everywhere November 27th.
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