Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Wants to ‘Shake Things Up’ in Country Music

The Backstreet Boys' time with Florida Georgia Line really influenced AJ McLean's next move in music.

Written by Kelly Brickey
Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Wants to ‘Shake Things Up’ in Country Music
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 15: AJ McLean attends the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Emma Mcintyre/ACMA2018/Getty Images for ACM)

Most fans of the Backstreet Boys know the boy band for their bubblegum pop tracks that shattered the charts in the early 2000s, but AJ McLean hopes to make a smooth solo transition over into the world of country music.

After working together with Florida Georgia Line on a number of projects and getting immersed in the feel of Nashville’s music industry, McLean found inspiration to write and record something more along the lines of the country spectrum. It may sound like a bit of stretch for the pop singer, but he plans to create something different within the genre rather than sticking to the traditional efforts.

Backstreet Boys; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

“Doing that song with [FGL], ‘God, Your Mama, and Me,’ and then doing Crossroads, the Smooth Tour, just kind of being submerged in the whole Nashville scene, was so inspiring to me. And out of all genres, country is probably now one of my favorites. It’s all about telling a story; every song is so relatable to anyone, but my goal is a little different. I want to come in and I want to disrupt country. I want to shift. I want to shake things up just like FGL did. So you guys are in for a treat,” McLean said to Entertainment Tonight on the ACM Awards red carpet.

McLean may not be spilling every detail about his upcoming crossover, but he has gotten pretty involved in the creative process and thinks everything will tie itself together for a solid project to arise.

“I’ve been doing some writing, as well as working with some very talented writers back in Nashville,” McLean hinted. “So we’ll see what comes of it.”

No word yet on when AJ McLean will send his new music out to fans.