In A World Like This Japan First Press CD

 In a World Like This released in Japan on 7/24/2013, 6 days earlier than global, First Press contains 2 benefits.
1. a Dress Sticker, 2. Campaign entry postcard with purchasing the first press single.

Album Commentary:

Backstreet Boys celebrated their 20th anniversary as a group, and April 22, 2013 became a truly memorable day. On that day, their name was immortalized on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, where a ceremony was held to honor them.

The Walk of Fame is an honor given only to artists who have made outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry. On that day, about 1,000 fans, family members, and staff gathered to witness the moment when the Backstreet Boys’ star-shaped plaque was embedded into the street.

The presenter of the ceremony was Max Martin, the legendary producer behind many of their biggest hits. He delivered a congratulatory speech about meeting the group and working with them. Then, holding back tears, each of the five members gave a message. Being there myself, surrounded by the same excitement, I could truly feel their heartfelt joy and it was a wonderful moment to experience.

For Backstreet Boys, “In A World Like This” is their eighth studio album, a special release celebrating their 20th anniversary. It is also the first album featuring Kevin Richardson, who returned to the group after a six-year absence, making it a particularly meaningful project.

We already had the chance to hear Kevin’s voice again in the Christmas single “It's Christmas Time Again,” released digitally at the end of the previous year. But holding this album in my hands and hearing all five voices together made me realize once again that Kevin had truly returned.

His deep and resonant vocal was back.

Before the Walk of Fame ceremony, a 20th anniversary celebration event was held at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, welcoming fans from around the world. The rooftop of the venue even had a stylish party space, including a Backstreet Boys Bar, giving the event a very premium atmosphere.

It had been a while since I last interviewed the five members together. Seeing Kevin again, he looked exactly the same as before and blended naturally back into the group. Even the word “long time no see” gave me the comforting feeling that a family member had returned. The interview was more relaxed and friendly than ever.

As the oldest member of the group, Kevin had once started questioning his identity within a boy band and felt emotionally exhausted. That was one of the reasons he decided to leave the group. He was looking for new inspiration outside of Backstreet Boys.

However, even while he was away, the members remained close. They would spend vacations together and kept in touch regularly. So his return felt like a very natural progression.

In spring 2012, before heading out on tour with New Kids on the Block, the members started talking about music again. After the tour ended, discussions about Kevin’s return became more concrete.

Kevin explained:

“It feels like visiting my family back home. I have an older brother, but even after becoming a father myself, I’m still the younger brother when I’m around him. Coming back to this group feels similar. The expectations we have for each other haven’t changed, but everyone has grown and evolved in their own ways. The four of them have grown a lot—Nick especially. They never closed the door on me returning, and I’m grateful for that.”

With Kevin back, the five members began working on their 20th anniversary album.

They first reached out to Max Martin, who had produced many of their biggest hits over the years. However, Max was extremely busy working with artists like Katy Perry, Maroon 5, and Taylor Swift, making it difficult for him to participate in the album.

Still, they kept in contact for nearly a year.

Finally, near the end of the album production, Max sent them a song.

AJ recalled:

“The album was almost finished, but we still didn’t feel completely satisfied. Then Max sent us a track. It didn’t even have lyrics yet, but the moment we heard the melody, we fell in love with it. It sounded exactly like the Backstreet Boys.”

That song eventually became the single “In A World Like This.”

When I met the members in April, the song had not yet been fully completed. Max had come to Los Angeles as the Walk of Fame presenter and they planned to finish the final recording together there.

The Max Martin–produced track became the final piece that completed the album. In today’s pop music landscape, it reminds listeners how significant the musical legacy of Backstreet Boys truly is.

The lyrics also express a very universal sense of love, offering comfort and healing in difficult times.

The album “In A World Like This” features a wide range of producers and songwriters. About 80% of the songs were co-written by the five members themselves.

AJ described the album in one word:

“Evolution.”

“Because we were involved in writing about 80% of the songs, it became a very personal album. There are pop sounds, R&B influences, and even some folk-style songs.”

Morgan Reid, who worked on “It's Christmas Time Again,” also contributed to the songwriting and is considered a promising songwriter to watch.

When AJ mentioned the word “folk,” I reacted strongly, so he clarified:

“American folk — kind of like Jason Mraz.”

The album also features songwriters and producers such as Martin Terefe and Sacha Skarbek, who had previously worked with Jason Mraz. Their involvement helped bring a new sound to Backstreet Boys.

For the song “Try,” British singer-songwriter James Morrison participated as a songwriter.

Nick recalled:

“When AJ sang it in the studio, we all raised our hands and said, ‘You can take it. Just sing the whole song.’”

Howie joked:

“It felt like the return of the Alexander James from the ‘Lay Down Beside Me’ era.”

It became a truly powerful track.

Another songwriter on that track is Kyle Riabko, a singer-songwriter and guitarist who had also debuted in Japan. He debuted at age 19 and is now 25, continuing his career as both a musician and an actor.

The song “Trust Me” features work from another artist familiar to Japanese audiences: Justin Nozuka, known for the song “After Tonight.”

His brother George Nozuka once performed as a support act during a Backstreet Boys Japan tour, and Howie even managed him for a period of time.

Brian described the song:

“We didn’t write it ourselves, but we all loved it. It feels like a bar song that everyone can sing together.”

Kevin added jokingly:

“Like eating fish and chips in a pub.”

The album also includes message songs.

One example is “Madeleine,” which addresses the issue of bullying in schools around the world.

AJ explained:

“One of our fans on Twitter took their own life because of bullying. Bullying has to stop. We want to tell anyone who feels like they can’t talk to anyone about it that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll get there. Find friends who deserve you, and learn to love yourself.”

Another very personal song is “Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)”.

AJ explained that the song was inspired by the children of the members — Eva, Nathan, Baylee, Holden, James, and Kevin’s upcoming child.

The message is simple:

Be true to yourself and show the world what you’re made of.

In the end, Max Martin added the final touch to an album that experiments with many musical approaches.

Even after 20 years, Backstreet Boys continue to challenge themselves while still maintaining the essence that made them who they are.

At the anniversary event, some songs that didn’t make the album were also played, but after much deliberation the final tracklist was set at 13 songs.

Nick explained the meaning behind the title:

“After 20 years, we realized that the people we were back then and the people we are now both exist. And we’re still here in this world — the same world we started in. That’s why this title felt right.”

Keiko Imaizumi
6/2013
Thanx to Yoko Kikuchi