When *NSYNC reunited for the first time in years at the VMAs this week, Taylor Swift gave the proper response: First, pure shock and delight, and then the question, “Are you doing something? What’s gonna happen now?” As in, what exciting news will follow this joint appearance from the iconic boy band? Perhaps a reunion tour? Or a new album?
The answer is neither: They’re releasing a new song (their first in more than 20 years!) for the upcoming animated movie Trolls Band Together. The track is called “Better Place” and you can hear the first snippet in the trailer below before it officially drops on September 29.
From the seconds-long tease, it sounds like a feel-good dance tune, true to the family-friendly movie franchise. If it ends up being anything like Justin Timberlake’s Trolls hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” it will surely make its rounds in radio stations, weddings, and CVS stores everywhere.
The collab might seem surprising (those who were hoping for more might say disappointing), but it checks out considering Timberlake stars in the films opposite Anna Kendrick. This threequel feels especially on-theme as it centers on the reunion of a boy band consisting of Branch (Timberlake) and his brothers, voiced by Eric André, Troye Sivan, Daveed Diggs, and Kid Cudi. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for an *NSYNC revival. (Their song “I Want You Back” also appears in the trailer.)
While further reunion news remains in our dreams for now, this isn’t the only time Timberlake, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, and JC Chasez have come together in recent years. There was the Walk of Fame ceremony in 2018 and even the 2013 VMAs, plus JT has said he and the bandmates are in an “ongoing group chat.” Here’s to hoping there’ll be more appearances in the future.
If you want to see a fictional boy band get back together again, you can watch Trolls Band Together when it hits theaters on November 17.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.