Unbreakable Japan Regular Press CD

Regular Press is released in standard jewel case.

Album Comment:

“The reason the Backstreet Boys have been able to keep going all these years is because we’ve treated each other as best friends—and sometimes like brothers—and for the past fifteen years, we’ve always talked things through and valued communication above everything else. I think that’s the biggest reason.
Of course, there are times when we don’t agree, and we argue. But we’ve always laid our feelings out on the table with one another. That’s because we’re passionate about music. Making albums, our feelings toward the fans—we’ve always shared all of that as a group.
And unlike groups where only one person takes the lead vocal, all four of us—and when Kevin was with us, all five of us—are lead vocalists. That’s what has truly supported the Backstreet Boys.”

In late August, just after finishing recording, the Backstreet Boys were interviewed in Los Angeles. The opening remarks were A.J.’s own analysis in response to the question of why there are so few pop vocal groups that have remained active for as long as the Backstreet Boys. Indeed, when you listen to their music—even their newer songs—each member’s voice is clearly audible, allowing listeners to enjoy the four distinct vocal styles and the remarkable way they blend together.

Throughout the interview, the members repeatedly used the word “team.” Having overcome Kevin’s departure, it’s clear that maintaining unity as a group is now more important to them than ever.

Five years after Black & Blue (2000), the Backstreet Boys made a full-scale comeback with Never Gone. The hit “Incomplete,” with its signature vocal harmonies, marked a complete revival and reaffirmed the group’s enduring popularity. Two years later, following Kevin’s departure, the four-member Backstreet Boys embarked on a new chapter with Unbreakable.

Looking back over their 15-year career, they had faced many challenges—conflicts with management, A.J.’s rehabilitation, and more—but Kevin’s departure was undoubtedly the greatest trial of all. Still, it was an amicable decision, a step taken to enrich each member’s career. Even now, Kevin continues to support them in the role of an older brother.

That bond was clearly demonstrated in February 2007, when Kevin made a surprise appearance at Brian’s solo concert. While staying long-term in Chicago for the musical Chicago, Kevin joined Brian onstage to sing Backstreet Boys hits together. The time he spent as a member of the Backstreet Boys is a treasure to him, and their many hits remain a vital driving force in his career—which is why singing those songs still comes so naturally.

As the members themselves have said, if Kevin were ever to return, he would be welcomed with open arms.

Never Gone gradually took on a pop-rock direction during its production process. The guitar-driven sound that colored their vocal harmonies was a new challenge for the group. While retaining that newly developed sound, Unbreakable can also be seen as a return to their roots. They didn’t abandon experimentation, but their spirit and mindset clearly returned to where they began.

“Choosing up-tempo songs is difficult because trends change so quickly,” says Howie D.
“With the ’80s boom in the U.S., a danceable track like ‘Everything But Mine’ might be received as a surprise—and I’d love that. I hope it becomes a new trend for the Backstreet Boys. We also wanted to bring dance back. Visuals on stage are important to us, and we need songs we can dance to. When pop-rock becomes the focus, you can’t really dance on stage.”

Unbreakable opens with the jazzy a cappella “Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon,” followed by “Everything But Mine,” a dance number unlike anything the Backstreet Boys had done before. Responding to Howie’s comments, A.J. says:

“My favorite is ‘One in a Million,’ because it reminds me of Backstreet’s Back from 1997. I love that album.”

While “One in a Million” initially sounds like a completely new approach, the more you listen, the more it reveals a refined, updated version of the Backstreet Boys’ ’90s sound—just as A.J. describes.

At the time of the LA interview, the album was not yet complete; only seven pre-mix tracks had been heard. Still, the emerging sound made it clear that while vocal harmony—the essence of the Backstreet Boys—remains central, their ’90s dance sound has been revived with a fresh interpretation and a proactive stance toward the modern music scene.

The album title Unbreakable perfectly reflects their outlook.

“Because ‘Unbreakable’ is exactly how we feel right now,” says Nick.
“It fits perfectly. A lot has happened over our long career—Kevin leaving, for example—but nothing has changed at this point, and there’s no reason to stop. That’s why we chose this title. We’ve completed great music, we’re really happy, and we’re enjoying what we’re doing.”

That sense of happiness was evident throughout the interview, as the members joked, teased one another, and even playfully tapped each other with plastic bottles—creating a relaxed, lively atmosphere (a bit noisy at times, too).

The album’s lead single, “Inconsolable,” symbolizes the record perfectly. It’s a song that will deeply move not only longtime fans but also new pop listeners who may have missed the Backstreet Boys until now.

“We chose this song as the single because we wanted people to know, ‘This is the Backstreet Boys,’” says Brian.
“We wanted to put a statement—our magic—into the album.”

Although the album had once been considered complete in May, the choice between an up-tempo track and a ballad as the lead single led them to attempt additional recording.

“It wasn’t that we felt something was missing,” explains A.J.
“It was a natural flow—‘Why not try one more song?’ That’s when we recorded a track by Eman (producer Emanuel Kiriakou). At first, it wasn’t for a single. But when we started layering vocals in the studio, we knew this was on the level of ‘I Want It That Way’ or ‘Shape of My Heart.’ Everyone felt it was the perfect song to introduce the new Backstreet Boys.”

That magic wasn’t limited to “Inconsolable.” Songs like “Something That I Already Know” and “Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon,” led by Nick and Brian, also embody classic Backstreet Boys magic.

Although the band didn’t mention it during the interview, several songs were co-written by the members themselves during a month-long collaboration in Nashville with producer Dan Muckala. Three of those tracks—“Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon,” “One in a Million,” and “Panic”—made it onto the album.

Nick spoke passionately about these songs:

“The really artistic tracks are ‘Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon’ and ‘Panic.’ I’m very satisfied with them. ‘One in a Million’ and ‘Any Other Way’ incorporate reggae and ska elements. Challenging ourselves is the real joy of making an album.”

“Panic,” like “One in a Million,” was another surprising new approach.

“Starting work in Nashville was perfect timing,” says A.J.
“For a whole month, we wrote songs as one team, played video games sometimes, and truly enjoyed the process of making the album.”

“You Can Let Go,” with its country touch, reflects the atmosphere of Nashville and shows how relaxed and focused the group was during recording.

In the past, their recording schedules were fragmented by intense workloads, solo projects, and charity work, making it difficult for all members to spend long stretches together in the studio. This time, relocating entirely to Nashville and concentrating on recording provided the ideal environment for the four members to relaunch themselves as the Backstreet Boys.

Unbreakable was shaped with the help of multiple producers—Dan Muckala, Emanuel Kiriakou, Billy Mann, John Shanks (who worked on “Helpless When She Smiles” and Howie’s lead vocal track “Trouble Is”)—but ultimately, those influences were only guides.

The Backstreet Boys brand, built over 15 years, continues to be refined by the members themselves—not only musically, but through spirit and passion.

“Our belief as the Backstreet Boys? Musically, it’s definitely vocal harmony—good music, good melodies, and vocal harmony,” says Howie.

“That’s the musical side,” adds Brian,
“but what matters most is that we’re happy with each other. That happiness fuels our passion and allows us to make great music. Mutual respect is essential.”

“Our belief is… eating,” jokes Nick.
“Staying energetic, joking around as four guys—that relationship is important.”

“With experience comes learning,” says A.J.
“Accepting new environments as a team and enjoying change matters. Being a team means you can embrace challenges without fear.”

The album took another month to complete after the LA interview. After carefully selecting tracks and finalizing the sequence, the band added one final song at the very end—“Treat Me Right,” written by A.J. and *NSYNC’s JC Chasez, who also handled vocal production and arrangement. While it shouldn’t be reduced to a simple collaboration, JC’s involvement evokes nostalgia for the ’90s pop scene.

With total worldwide sales of 75 million—and over 6 million in Japan alone—the Backstreet Boys are a once-in-a-generation super group. Yet numbers alone cannot capture their true greatness. Their music has a mysterious ability to weave itself deeply into each listener’s life, becoming something constant and unwavering.

The excitement their music brings—and the gratitude owed to them for continuing to deliver beautiful harmonies and remaining true to who they are—cannot be overstated.

“We were young guys who dreamed of success, but we never imagined it would reach this level,” Brian reflects.
“People used to ask if we’d still be called ‘Boys’ when we got older. But thanks to our fans, the Backstreet Boys became a brand. And for the next 15 years, we’ll still be the Backstreet Boys.” The other members nodded in agreement.

9/25/2007
Keiko Imazumi