What does This Is Us sound like?

A polished blend of heartfelt ballads and upbeat dance tracks, merging nostalgia with contemporary pop sensibilities. Rooted in contemporary R&B and dance-pop. Start with "Straight Through My Heart".

Is This Is Us a good place to start with Backstreet Boys?

Yes, This Is Us is recommended as a starting point for new Backstreet Boys listeners. A polished blend of heartfelt ballads and upbeat dance tracks, merging nostalgia with contemporary pop sensibilities. This Is Us arrived in a transitional phase for the Backstreet Boys, marking their return after a four-year hiatus since their 2005 album, Never Gone. The group aimed to modernize their sound while still appealing to their loyal fan base, showcasing their commitment to evolving as artists amidst shifting musical landscapes.

Who is This Is Us for?

This Is Us works well if you're into steady mid-tempo sing-alongs, heartfelt anthems for gatherings and uplifting vibes for road trips.

How many songs are on This Is Us?

This Is Us has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 17 years ago this October

This Is Us

Backstreet Boys · 2009

40 min · 11 tracks · contemporary R&B

A polished blend of heartfelt ballads and upbeat dance tracks, merging nostalgia with contemporary pop sensibilities.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Straight Through My Heart Start here — Opening the album with an infectious energy, this track combines catchy hooks with themes of vulnerability, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
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Bigger — This anthem encapsulates personal growth and resilience, showcasing the group's harmonies against an uplifting backdrop that resonates with listeners.
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Shattered — With its emotional depth and introspective lyrics, this ballad highlights the group's vocal prowess and adds a poignant layer to the album's narrative.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends nostalgic themes with modern production but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half shifts to slower ballads, creating a noticeable contrast.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, typical of the group's style, with prominent use of synthesizers and programmed beats.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
heartfelt anthems for gatherings
uplifting vibes for road trips
easy listening for casual moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced music
seek experimental soundscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows the group's continued relevance and modernized sound after a hiatus.
Themes: heartfelt ballads· 2000s pop resurgence· aspiration and resilience
Career context: This Is Us arrived in a transitional phase for the Backstreet Boys, marking their return after a four-year hiatus since their 2005 album, Never Gone. The group aimed to modernize their sound while still appealing to their loyal fan base, showcasing their commitment to evolving as artists amidst shifting musical landscapes.
Stylistic neighbors: NSYNC· 98 Degrees· O-Town