Separately, they’re four individuals. Each one undeniably talented. Each one poised. Each one built to entertain. Together, Big Time Rush — comprised of Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson, James Maslow and Carlos PenaVega — becomes something far more. Yes, when the members of this beloved boy band unite, it’s as if everything else melts away; an unspoken connection instantly ignites. “We can glance at each other and with the smallest look, we’ll understand what’s needed or how great something was or what we need to do next,” says Schmidt, describing such a rare connectivity between the foursome. Adds Henderson, speaking specifically to the magic the members of the acclaimed group creates when they hit the stage for one of their undeniable live performances: “Onstage is a time where we can be almost completely fluid. It does really take you out of whatever’s going on at the moment and you can just be free. It’s a feeling like no other.”
This unity, this unique and special ability for musicians to coalesce so naturally with one another, goes a long way in explaining why Big Time Rush was and always has been something that needed to be protected and cherished and treated with the utmost respect. And yet life has a way of taking us all on a winding path to the present. To that end, Big Time Rush too have been on a journey to arrive at where they now stand — united, excited and thrilled to move forward in their mission to spread joy, happiness and, of course, superb music, to their longtime legion of fans.
Following a whirlwind multi-year run that culminated with 2013’s 24/Seven LP, Big Time Rush’s members spent roughly eight years apart, each indulging in his own artistic muse. Then, in 2020, together they made the bold decision to reunite. It started with an exquisite acoustic version of “Worldwide.”And judging by the overwhelmingly positive reaction from their fanbase, it became clear there were hordes of people — many of whom had long loved Big Time Rush, and then so many others who were just starting to discover the band — who’d hoped this moment might someday come. Now, with a thrilling new album, Another Life, set for release on June 2, and extensive touring on the horizon, Big Time Rush have never been more amped about what lies ahead.
“The exciting part is we’re doing things we’ve never done before — from selling out Madison Square Garden to the type of music we’re making,” says Henderson. “This is definitely a very new time for us. We’re so hungry and so excited. There’s so much potential.”
“This is very much a comeback,” notes PenaVega with a smile. “As long as our fans want us to do it, we’re going to keep doing it. We really mean that.” “To see the fan’s reactions really solidified that we should be doing this,” adds Maslow. “It’s so cool to see the impact we’ve had on the world.”
While nodding to their incredible past accomplishments — which includes the eponymous hit Nickelodeon TV show that jettisoned them to worldwide notoriety, and which to date remains extremely popular on streaming services; Billboard-charting LPs that spawned beloved hit singles including “Boyfriend,” “Worldwide” and “Windows Down,”; buzzing arena tours; and so much more — Big Time Rush’s new music brings the band decidedly into the future — both with its inventive sound and the band members collaborating with one another like never before.
“I think collaboration is key,” explains Schmidt of the four musicians uniting their creative forces alongside producers Adam Korbesmeyer, Will Ventres, Nick Furlong, Bryan Todd and Maffio during what they describe as Another Life’s intensely inspiring writing and studio sessions. “We were able to get reacquainted on our own terms and on our own time without any pressure,” explains Henderson. “Almost each track off this new album has been an ah-ha moment for us,” he adds. “Places we’ve gone in songwriting that we had not previously touched on before. Trying new things in the studio and working with new sounds we’d never done.”
“Not only did we grow up in the eight years we were apart, so did our fans,” notes Maslow. “So, our music really needed to reflect that.”
To that end, Big Time Rush have already started to treat fans to their bold new sound: from “Can’t Get Enough,” all sleek synths and handclapped-backed harmonies, to their latest single “Waves,” a sexy minor-chord thriller replete with some of the group’s finest vocal performances to date, Another Life is undoubtedly a daring new era for the band.
And, of course, there’s so much more to come: from “Weekends,” the group’s nod to classic R&B, to “I Just Want To (Party All the Time)” a banger of a wink to the 1985 Eddie Murphy song. And then there’s “Work For It,” the band’s spin on hyper-pop; as well as “Ask You Tonight,” a harmony-drenched love song that pays homage to the boy bands they grew up on.
“We wanted to make sure they all work together,” Schmidt offers of Another Life’s 10-song tracklist. “But each song is very, very different as far as the root of it.”
And Big Time Rush are also sharing parts of themselves via their music like never before: “For us it’s always about trying to be as upfront and honest as possible,” Henderson says of the band’s desire to break down the walls between the artist and fan. “That’s inherent now. If you want to write music that follows your lives, it’s a disservice to not be vulnerable and open.”
It makes sense: not only does the band have fans who grew up on their music, but many of them are now bringing their own children along for the Big Time Rush ride. PenaVega, who has children of his own, says there’s an unmatched joy he gets in seeing a new generation of fans discover the group’s music. “My kids’ favorite song on the album is “I Just Want To (Party All Night)” and they literally dance their freaking butts off to it,” he says. “It’s so much fun to see them running around and having a good time. To me, as a dad, that is the best thing.
“The world is in such a crazy place and we just want to bring a good time, happiness, love and hope,” PenaVega concludes proudly. “I really think with this new album we’ve been able to do exactly that.”
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