People Interview with NKOTB

NKOTB's First New Album in 11 Years 'Captures the Spirit of Being a Kid,' Says Joey McIntyre (Exclusive)

New Kids on the Block. 

AUSTIN HARGRAVE

"I'm proud of the album, but I'm most proud of the teamwork of the album," Donnie Wahlberg tells PEOPLE about the band's release of 'Still Kids'

On their new album, the New Kids on the Block are celebrating the paths that led to some their most meaningful connections.

"It just taps into all of our journeys," Donnie Wahlberg tells PEOPLE about Still Kids, the group's first full studio album in 11 years. "There's so many levels to [the music] but I think, at the end, it all speaks to the collective journey for all of us — the New Kids and our fans."

That journey started when the five members of the band — Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre and brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight — first sang together as teenagers in Roxbury, Mass. in 1985. Something clicked, although it would take years of door-knocking and tiny, local shows before the world took notice. The release of their second album Hangin' Tough in 1988 propelled NKOTB to become one of the biggest musical acts in the world, selling millions of records, performing in sold-out arenas and stadiums, and causing a teenage fan frenzy that was often compared to that of Beatle mania.

"It’ll never not blow my mind that here we are, decades later, and we're still doing what we love in front of millions of people," says Jonathan, 55. "That's why calling the album Still Kids is so perfect because we still have all the same enthusiasm and excitement for it all, just like when we were kids."

Danny, 55, echoes the same sentiments. "We feel so young and blessed to still be in the music business, still be relevant and having success. We really do feel like we’re still those young guys giving it our all every minute of every day."

The album — a collection of retro, synth-pop songs laced with ’80s nostalgia, modern beats and a blast of K-Pop energy — features 12 tracks, including the dance-beat single "Kids" and ballad "A Love Like This." But unlike previous releases, this album was recorded almost entirely remotely, and often from different locations around the country.

“We were never all in the same studio but we were still able to creatively come together as one, and the album really captures the spirit of being a kid,” says Joey, 51, who co-wrote six of the new songs. “It is tricky, but there are benefits to virtual as well. People can sit with [the music], take it in and have their own reaction in a safe place. I wouldn't call it easy, but nothing worthwhile is easy, right?"

For Jordan, 54, the new experience of recording separately was one he was ready to tackle. "We've been able to make a whole album and not have to travel much," he says. "I actually recorded one song at Jon's house upstairs in a spare bedroom. The producer was in L.A. on FaceTime on my phone and we just did it on my little computer. He'd be like, 'Oh, yeah, try that again,' or, 'Try to do a twist here or a twist there,' and I would sing and record it. I was doing all the things myself on the computer, just like record, erase, splice, boom! And it worked out well."

The results are a collection of songs that, the band says, tell the stories of their history as a group and their relationship with their devoted Blockhead-fan army.

"I think of it as a look back at the journey. One song will take fans back to being a kid again with the New Kids, and the next song will tap into the life struggles we've maybe been having as adults and individually," says Donnie, 54, who also co-wrote several of the new songs. "I'm proud of the album, but I'm most proud of the teamwork of the album."

It was also an opportunity for some firsts, including collaborations with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Taylor Dayne — and a chance for Jonathan to sing lead on the track "Better Days," which Joey wrote specifically for him.

"Joe sent me the track and said, 'I want you to sing this song because it reminds me of you and your husband and your relationship,'" says Jonathan, who married Harley Rodriguez in 2022. "I was like, 'Wow! That means the world to me.' So I listened to the song, and was just in tears. Oh, it makes me tear up even right now. I mean, how do I say no to that?"

That song, the band members each say, is a sentimental favorite for them too, and the one they're most excited for long-time fans to hear.

"The best compliment is the ones from your colleagues," says Joey. "Jordan Knight is a man of few words most of the time, mostly because Donnie and I can't shut up. But to get that compliment of, like, 'Hey, man, I love that song,' is the best thing I could ever dream of."

The New Kids are taking the new music on the road for The Magic Summer 2024 Tour, a reimagined and updated version of their record-breaking 1990 stadium tour. They will be joined by opening acts Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff on a string of North American shows. They'll kick off the tour at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on June 14 before wrapping up in Noblesville, Indiana on Aug. 25.

Despite the schedules and time away from family and friends, the members say they're still excited and motivated to perform together.

"Our bodies get a little older every year, but I think as long as we keep that spirit of being young and open and excited about life, we can still feel like kids even when we're 95 years old," says Jordan.

For more on the New Kids on the Block's story, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.