Hi My Name is Alex drops on November 27th
Best known to the world as AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, multi-platinum recording artist Alexander James McLean steps forward under Alexander James to release his epic and powerful new solo EP, Hi My Name is Alex, out November 27th.
After three decades of worldwide fame, sold-out tours, and countless hit records with one of the most successful pop groups in history, McLean’s new project marks a bold reintroduction — one that strips away the stage persona and reveals the man behind the music: Alexander James. “AJ has been my armor for a long time,” McLean shares. “Alexander is who I really am — a father, a friend, a survivor, and someone who’s finally comfortable being honest, being myself. This EP is Alex”
With the Backstreet Boys, McLean helped define a generation of pop music, earning multiple Grammy nominations, worldwide sales topping 190 million albums, and global hits. Beyond music, McLean became a familiar face on television, most recently as host on Netflix’s breakout hit, Building the Band, as well as mentor and judge on The Fashion Hero: A New Kind of Beautiful. He’s also appeared on Dancing with the Stars and won season two of RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race as Poppy Love.
But the new EP is not just a continuation of the music formula that he’s been known for — it’s a rebirth. Written and recorded during a period of deep personal reflection and with an incredible team of writers and producers, including Grammy-nominated Rob Grimaldi (Teddy Swims, Blackpink, BTS, Noah Cyrus, etc), this EP is a perfect six-song sonic journey. From bangers like the newly teased “Can’t Love You Anymore” and “Thinking Bout Us” to Alex’s vibey, introspective take on losing love and why we self-sabotage, “The One That Got Away”, this EP from beginning to end is an absolute must listen.
The track “Arizona” serves as a centerpiece and was born from the time that inspired Alex to come back to himself — a raw, reflective song inspired by his time in recovery in Arizona. It was there that McLean began to separate AJ McLean, the performer, from Alexander James, the person. That start of clarity allowed him to come into himself fully — not only as a man but as an artist — and opened the door to a new creative freedom. The result is a sound that reclaims the infectious pop energy fans have always loved while fearlessly branching into new sonic territory, embracing vulnerability, soul, and experimentation.
“That time in Arizona changed everything for me,” McLean says. “It’s where I started learning who Alex really is. Once I did that, the music opened up — it became bigger, deeper, and way more honest.”
The EP arrives ahead of a full-length album, slated for early 2026 and as the project approaches its release, McLean is poised to show the world a new chapter — one that honors the past while courageously stepping into his truth.
