Coming as part of the Trolls Band Together soundtrack, *NSYNC drop "Better Place," their first single in more than 20 years, and immediately dominate social media as fans continue celebrating the boy band reunion.
As Thursday became Friday, the group finally released "Better Place," their new track that drops as part of the Trolls Band Together soundtrack. Justin Timberlake also stars in the film.
While there is no official video out yet, fans were still eager to soak in the vocals of Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass on the new track, which has a balance of slower, heartfelt moments and their signature dance beats.
It certainly sounds like a classic *NSYNC track that wouldn't be out of place on any of their '90s and '00s albums. Timberlake, as might have been expected, take lead on the chorus, but everyone is given their moment to shine through it's 3:33 runtime.
Fans have been able to enjoy sporadic *NSYNC reunions over the past couple of decades, like their 2018 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony and most recently when they united to kick off the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
At that point, they'd yet to announce there was new music coming. They handed out the night's first award to Taylor Swift, who knows all about creating viral moments and cryptic clues to tease fans into a frenzy, and she became that fan asking them what it means and if there was music coming.
Nailed it (again). 🔨 pic.twitter.com/Xe7Y1EE9VU
— *NSYNC (@NSYNC) September 28, 2023 @NSYNC
The boys played it cool then, but quickly started sharing funny videos of themselves goofing around backstage at the VMAs, recreating some of their goofiest old promotional photos, and even in the recording studio making this new clip.
They launched their official TikTok account, revived the band's Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) pages and, like Swift, started working their fans into a frenzy. Almost immediately, the band, the single and Timberlake himself began trending.
As the moment of arrival was closing in, Bass took to his Instagram to say the song "is a love letter to all of our fans who have been our incredible support system." He then teased a possible future with part of his message to his fellow band members, writing, "I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the journey we’ve shared and the one that lies ahead."
Now, those fans are celebrating this new release ... and hoping it's just a (new) beginning for the group! You can check out some of the group's celebratory posts, and fan reactions, below.
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Is Better Place by @NSYNC the #1 song in the country yet?
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) September 29, 2023 @druidDUDE
*NSYNC DID WHAT HAD TO BE DONE #NSYNC_Better_Place pic.twitter.com/r0m0wlnmP9
— jill! 🍊 | STREAM BETTER PLACE (@selfetish) September 29, 2023 @selfetish
when jc chasez said “i don't mind if the world spins faster the music's louder” in better place and the song got FASTER and LOUDER. genius. #NSYNC_Better_Place pic.twitter.com/LUzyHxL6Mc
— alexa | BETTER PLACE (@itsalexaloz) September 29, 2023 @itsalexaloz
the entire nsync fandom rn pic.twitter.com/dS6FfHZ2GK
— tatiana.. ♡ better place 9/29 (@nsynctwt) September 29, 2023 @nsynctwt
Me dancing around my living room like I don't have work tomorrow morning:#NSYNC #NSYNC_Better_Place #BetterPlace pic.twitter.com/iefnnNllv9
— ☆NSYNC girlie - Stream Better Place (@ssstarburst) September 29, 2023 @ssstarburst
"Just let me take you to a better place!"
— Gelel Kalar (@Gellyman226) September 29, 2023 @Gellyman226
NSYNC's first song in over two decades, and I am incredibly overjoyed having FINALLY listened to this. Was I planning on drinking an entire bottle of champagne to celebrate? No... but so worth it! #NSYNC #BetterPlace
"when we're together, you know that we do it better"
— A7mad_AL5ars (@AJMA7A) September 29, 2023 @AJMA7A
YES YOU DO & YOU ALWAYS DID #BetterPlace #NSYNC #justintimberlake#NSYNC_Better_Place #NSYNC_take_you_to_a_better_place pic.twitter.com/9DYNqBk7U5
.@NSYNC killed that. I don't know what I was expecting but this is so much better.
— kenly| BETTER PLACE 9/29 (@wewantnsyncback) September 29, 2023 @wewantnsyncback
I also want to say thank you to @jtimberlake for putting this together. The song is perfect❤️ pic.twitter.com/LaRpVtsyTT
BETTER PLACE HAS ME LIKE THIS RN IM CRYING #NSYNC_Better_Place#Better_Place#Trolls3 #TrollsBandTogether pic.twitter.com/sYe0xaglsh
— tatiana.. ♡ better place 9/29 (@nsynctwt) September 29, 2023 @nsynctwt
…and worth EVERY MINUTE.💗 @NSYNC https://t.co/tAY7xZ5anj pic.twitter.com/L2TGiqtEmi
— Angelique Jackson (@angelique814) September 29, 2023 @angelique814
#NSYNC #betterplace is out!!!
— kristina (@krstnajohnson) September 29, 2023 @krstnajohnson
has it been 20 seconds or 20 years? can’t tell… these guys still sound like perfection together.