We first met Nick Carter, the sweet, blonde, blue-eyed member of the Backstreet Boys. Now that he is a bit older, we find him digging a little deeper to show us a side we’ve never seen before.

Nick Carter is getting up to his own things these days. It’s his chance to break out and share a more personal side of himself while still doing the thing he loves – music. Making music that comes from his heart is something this 22 year-old has been yearning to do for quite a while.

On his debut album, ‘Now or Never’, Nick brings a cathartic pen to paper to release what he says he’s been holding inside for a long time. His deepest thoughts and confusions, as well as his passions come across in the album’s songs. Although he hasn’t reached his potential as a writer, he is very excited about the prospect of exploring his artistic side.

Help Me the first single is a fun ditty that we can all relate to. In it Nick sings about his confusion and appreciation of life and relationships while he begs the questions we all ask ourselves every day.

The tender ballad Do I have to cry for you allowed him to experiment with writing for the first time. Girls In The USA and I Stand For You, works its way into a passionate and raw plea for some middle ground in a less than normal relationship.

Confession is a very sweet and pleasant sonic journey that expresses honest affection towards a new love. Its bouncy guitars and textured beats is candy to the ears.

Nick truly loves American Rock and its influence shows up on the guitar-driven anthem I Stand For You which he co-wrote with a band called KNS.

He continues his compassionate side on the ballad Heart Without a Home (I’ll Be There), while the song I Got You is compelling and is full of a lush landscape of chimes, beats and subtle guitar wisps.         

‘Now or Never’delves into some deep topics, it doesn’t take itself way too seriously. It has the ability to transport you to the open road for a long drive while you sing every song at the top of your lungs. It reflects the freedom and passion that it is meant to reveal.

Worth a dekko only for the man’s singing.

Rating: *****

Reviewed  By Verus Ferreira