AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys is out with his second solo album “My Name Is Alexander James”; his debut solo album “Have it All” came out 16 years ago which is a long time for most artists but when you’re in the most successful boy band ever you don’t always have time. The reality is he was working on an album for years with songs being leaked and then he scrapped the whole idea instead coming out with all different kinds of singles in different genres/with other artists. Some of it has been odd like country or hip hop tracks just not his style as his first album had a full set of real music with instruments that had a pop, rock, RNB and blues feel to it. He has decided to pull the curtain into who he really is; which is Alex not AJ which has been his stage name since he was a teen; by showing his struggles in life with staying sober and his marriage falling apart. This is a true reflection of who he is as an individual and a father, rather than just the pop-star.
This took four years to come together and it was worth it. His daughter’s intro up the album in the prologue and he ends with thanking everyone at the end in the epilogue. It is harsh to say two worst songs but ones that do not click are “Flowers” which has “Ty Doll $ign” on it where the chorus is better than the verse but still an “ehh” and “Why you love me wrong” has some weird production values on it and it sounds more like a song for a hip-hop artist for a loud nightclub. There is- like completely different vibes in the middle of album that make the album have fun. They all have some hip-hop, RNB, groovy, upbeat elements in them or the nightclub vibe works. Those tracks “Body Butter”, “Lovin on me”, ‘Kiss Kiss” and “Sad in the Summer” are all catchy songs to listen to while “What you know about that” does have some emotional element to it as well.
The first track “Can’t love you anymore” has really good strong production values where you know he means business to start the album. It sounds like a song the Backstreet Boys would do and it shows how the album is going to be an emotional journey for Alex and us. Songs “Thinking about us” and “The one that got away” sounds like his relationship with his now ex-wife; does a good job at the whole introspective element. The song “Y.O.U.” sounds like he is a lounge singer talking about love and the blues. “Arizona” is definitely one of the more emotional tracks, showing off his vocal range, getting emotional/introspective but asking an important question. Am I good enough? Followed by “Relapse” which is something he is afraid of doing after becoming sober. While “Echoes” which is about his inner-demons like being sober or heartbreak. While the last track “Better man” ends the album beautifully asking the question is he a better man after all he has been through in life and will he be one in the future is this journey to become over.
In the end Alex has now made two solo albums like his band mate Howie D and Nick Carter(who has five). They have grown since their youth and you can hear it on their solo albums. AJ has been in the public eye for years back to when he acted as a kid before his music career. He hopes he is in a good place with his sobriety, mental health and being the best father he can be after everything he has been through in life. This album shows the journey he has been on to make the leap in his growth as a person with personal songs about his struggles in life. It might not be as good as his debut album but to answer his question; “Am I good enough to be loved by you?” He is certainly more than good enough as a person, father, friend and musician. Alexander James and AJ can both be present in the world and he shows that in this album.