Musiciam Payne showed unpublished songs to AJ McLean before his death: ‘It was a great job’

AJ MCLEAN It is one of the few people who heard part of the unpublished music in which Liam Payne was working before his death in October 2024. The member of the BACKSTREET BOYS developed a close relationship with the formerOne Direction during the recordings of the NetflixBuilding The Band. In a recent interview with the program Today, McLean talked about the tracks that Payne He showed him and that they follow unpublished.

“He was simply a witty, funny, funny person. He sent me an unprecedented material for me to give my opinion, and I had never told that,” he said McLean. “I found him very special to trust someone who was still knowing to hear and give his opinion.” He added, “I thought it was amazing job. And I hope the world, that the fans, can hear it at some point. It’s a beautiful, beautiful song.”

Payne Launched the single “Teardrops” In March 2024, a track that would be part of his second studio album. Another member of boyband, JC Chasezfrom ‘Nsynccollaborated in the song. “This album is literally the reflection of my last year. As I felt in each of those days is in each track. It’s a portrait of every day,” he said Payne before the single release.

I want to be able to help someone go through a difficult time, help someone celebrate something. That’s what I want to convey on this album, and I think this is the best part of my work.

“Teardrops” eventually became the latest musical release of Liam Payne. The singer died on October 16 at the age of 31, due to the injuries suffered after falling from the porch of the hotel room where he was staying. Less than two weeks after his death, the musician SAM POUNDS announced – and then postponed – the plans to launch the collaboration between the two, entitled “Do No Wrong”stating, “It’s not the time yet.”

The debut of Making the band Next week will mark the first posthumous appearance of Liam Payne. THE Netflix He had paused the production of the series due to the participation of the singer as a jury. The program will be launched in three parts throughout the month: the first four episodes will be available on July 9, followed by July three more and the final outcome on July 23.

“I already knew him before the program, but not as closely as we became,” he said AJ MCLEANwhich presents the series. “Obviously, we spent 12 to 14 hours a day together for about five weeks, you get to know a lot about someone.” Early this year, McLean said to Rolling Stone that “connected immediately” with Payne “Not only at the musical level, but at the human level,” adding, “We were both living parallel lives. There were a lot of funny kids jokes we changed.”

McLean described Payne As “articulated, very supportive, rigorously honest, in a compassionate way,” adding that he “always spoke with his heart.”

Last week, the sister of Liam Payne, Ruth Gibbinscelebrated its performance in Building The Band After the release of the series trailer. “I did not know if I should share this, but it seemed strange not to do, since I have been extolling the work and the achievements of Liam In the last 15 years, ”she wrote in Instagram.

My heart is broken that he never had a chance to see how amazing he’s in this program. He knew he had done a good job, we all told him that during the recordings, but watching now… wow.

She added: “You are a star, Liamhas always been and always will be. I felt a mix of emotions watching this, but one of the main ones was an immeasurable pride, as always. I miss you more every day. ”

This article was originally published by Rolling Stone USA by Larisha Paul on July 3, 2025, and can be checked here.

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