I have been waiting for this album for just about 7 months. Many think of the Backstreet Boys as a boy band that peaked in the 90s that are only going downhill by continuing their music career that no one asked for. However, I believe that while they did peak in the 90s (I Want it That Way is the best song in the world), I also believe that their music is still really amazing and full of the passion they obviously still have for music. I’m going to listen to their new album, DNA, beginning to end and record my thoughts for the nice people on the internet.
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
First impression: What a bop.
This was the first single they dropped for this album back in May of 2018. This might be my new favorite song (that was made in this century because I Want it That Way is still number 1). It’s so good, the interlude kills, everything sounds amazing. 12/10, would bang.
Nobody Else
First impression: Whoa this is deep.
I think I like this one. It’s kind of soft, and definitely catchy. I like when they do that thing that makes it sound like they’re singing through water or something. I don’t know, The Ready Set, a different band, does it too. It’s good. I like how different members sing through the lines that other members are singing. 8/10.
Breathe
First impression: Oh my god I love this.
They sing this in acapella. I’m fangirling. I love this so much. Everything just sounds so perfect. I can tell that their voices were meant to sing together. This is such a chill, awesome song. 10/10.
New Love
First impression: Wow edgy.
They might be a little too old to be trying to be sexy, but I kinda dig it. Nick kinda has the right voice for it, and AJ gets that edge to his voice that could definitely still drop some panties. 6.5/10.
Passionate
First impression: Ooohh this is weirdly nice. Is that a jazz influence?
Do not mention the womb in a song… that’s the first thing. I feel like this one has a few too many different kinds of singing/backup/instruments. The boys have voices that tend to hold notes, so when they try to shorten it, it sounds a little weird. I’m not 100% sure, but it sounds like there might be saxophone in this song and I’m not quite feeling it. Still, like everything the Backstreet Boys do, it’s catchy and still pretty good. 6.25/10.
Is It Just Me
First impression: Harmony alert. I got chills.
This one is really nice. I might be biased because AJ is the main singer in this one, but I just love how smooth the whole song is. They’re really good at fast singing, but making it sound longer than it is. I don’t know if that makes sense. This is like some classic Backstreet Boys. 8/10.
Chances
First impression: This is an iffy song. Weird.
The idea behind this one is so cute; basically, it’s about the fact that in order to meet your soulmate, there’s only so many choices you can actually make. A lot of it is chance and fate. I love that message for some reason, but when I first heard this song back in November (it was the second single released) I really didn’t like it. The style is really weird and choppy. Even though I like the song now, I have to take into account how much I didn’t like it a few months ago. 5.5/10.
No Place
First impression: Fuckin cute. I’m gonna cry.
This song holds some serious soul. Y’all have to watch the music video. It includes all of their families and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It honestly almost made me cry. This was technically the third single they released, but I I want to put it in a different category. They just like dropped a music video less than a month before the album dropped. 10/10.
Chateau
First impression: Niiicceee. Very nice.
This really explored the voices of AJ and … I think it was Nick but it might’ve been one of the other ones. I really don’t like Nick that much, I just think his voice is the most recognizable and he sings the most. And the other blonde, but they sound the same so I lump them together as Nick. This is both a chill song and kind of a bop. 7.5/10.
The Way It Was
First impression: No. Nick stop.
There is no reason to make a two-syllable word 10 syllables. I don’t care how important it is to the song, it sounds really weird. The rest of the song is pretty freaking good, but that “Craaaaaaaaazzy” line is really bad. 6/10 (Okay, it’s growing on me a little bit… 7/10).
Just Like You Like It
First impression: Interesting.
This has a weird kind of pop-country feeling to it. It’s probably the little bit of guitar. Oh my god, they let Kevin sing part of a solo. My dreams have come true, I have to love this song. Okay, the way he sang “smooth,” ovaries please calm down. I just went through a roller coaster of emotions… and I didn’t hate it. 9/10.
OK
First impression: They sound like girls I fuckin can’t. I’m confused.
I would not have ended the album with this. It’s just… weird. I can’t explain it. I still kinda like it, but I don’t know. I feel so iffy about it. It’s… OK (lmao). 6.5/10.
Final Thoughts:
Altogether as an album, it’s not the most interconnected music I’ve heard (listen to Marianas Trench for albums that tell literal stories). There are some bops and some drops, but overall it’s a pretty nice album. It got a 96.25/120, which is an 80 percent, so the boys have passed my test and can continue making music. I will continue to support them, and you should follow my lead by also listening to this album on repeat for the rest of your life.
P.S. It really bugs me that the blonde boys and AJ get so many solos. Kevin is an angel, let him sing.