New Kids on the Block Reflect on New Album 'Still Kids' & 'Not Wanting to Let Each Other Down'

Last week, New Kids on the Block made their long-awaited return with Still Kids, their first full-length album in 11 years — and a project that reinvigorated the sounds of the longtime pop quintet. During a conversation with Billboard News, Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood discussed how NKOTB's first album in over a decade slowly but surely came together.

“Donnie kind of started it,” McIntyre, who wrote about half the songs on the Still Kidshe said Advertising sign, “And we had success with a single, a one-off. The last song we had was [2022 single] “Bring back time”, big reaction there. And that kind of started, “Maybe let's do some more music.” Donnie started writing and Jordan started recording vocals. … It took a long time! There was a lot of passion and I heard a lot of passion. But there was a lot of give-and-take and room to feel what this would become when we all got involved.”

Instead of flying to a location and working together on the album, the New Kids messed around Still Kids remotely — and instead of allowing that recording process to result in a disjointed project, the guys said they pushed themselves to deliver their best material to the rest of the group.

“There's a sense that we don't want to let each other down,” Wahlberg explained. “There's an urgency that I think you can hear sometimes in the voices, wanting to get the best out of a performance. I think that's on this record, even in the writing.”

Next month, New Kids on the Block will kick off their Magic Summer 2024 tour, which will also feature Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The latter appeared in Still Kids highlight “Download”.

Before the tour kicks off on June 14th, watch the group discuss their relationship with bands that have come before and after them, playing their ongoing breakups on the road, the changing landscape of the music industry and, of course, their favorite Boston Celtics.