98° Makes a Bold Return With “Stranger Things (Have Happened)”

There’s something truly thrilling about watching a group you grew up with step into a new era, and 98° just did that with “Stranger Things (Have Happened).” The surprise single arrives ahead of their upcoming album ‘Full Circle,’ and it’s clear that they’ve still got it. In fact, we don’t think it ever left, but now it’s layered with grit, polish, and a presence fit for a bold reintroduction.

What makes this single hit is the duality it’s laced with. It’s very much a nod to the Stranger Things era, oh yeah, that iconic television series you and everyone else binge-watched the moment each season dropped.

Chock-full of warped timelines and layered dimensions, this track also mirrors the band’s evolution, collectively and individually. Who they were then, and who they’ve stepped into being now. There’s not a single shred of them trying to compete with the past. They love what they’ve created for themselves in the present, and they’re owning it with a robust presence that’s apparent in “Stranger Things (Have Happened).”

Building a musical foundation on vintage synths that shimmer, and grounding it with harmonies that somehow still feel like the home we grew up in, we love how this track plays with nostalgia without drowning in it. It’s that familiar feeling of slipping into a tried-and-true pair of jeans, only to find they fit even better now.

Each melody is lush, each texture breathes life, and the lyrical undertones carry just enough ache to leave a mark. Romantic, sure, but grounded in the kind of vulnerability that comes from a colorful and heartfelt life lived out loud.

As the first taste of their forthcoming album ‘Full Circle,’ “Stranger Things (Have Happened)” is the comeback moment we wanted, but richer. A reintroduction that reminds us why 98° never needed to play by anyone’s rules in the first place. They’re redefining who they are on their own terms, and we’re here for every moment of it.

Keep reading for our exclusive interview with 98°, as Jeff Timmons dives into all our questions.

Welcome to BUZZMUSIC, 98°! We’re loving the new single. What’s the story behind “Stranger Things (Have Happened),” and why was it the perfect lead for the new album?

We thought that “Stranger Things (Have Happened)” was a perfect lead-in track on the album, because it represents all of the things that encompass the 98 Degrees signature sound, but with current AND throwback track production, which adds a nice freshness to everything. 

Is there a song on the album that still hits you hard, whether from writing it or what it brings up when you perform it?

It’s really hard to choose when it comes to the re-recorded hits. They all mean so much and have wonderful memories attached to each of them. As far as the new material goes, I would have to say that “Got U” is pretty energizing even though it’s a ballad. It sounds like a true 99 Degrees instant classic! 

If you could sit down with your younger selves at the start of 98°, what would they say about this album and who you’ve become?

I think if I were able to sit down with my younger self and discuss this album and where we are today, I probably would be shocked and surprised that we’re doing what we love, creating music and performing this many years later. It’s truly a blessing.

“Stranger Things (Have Happened)” feels like both a nod to the past and a new direction. What did you need to express with this track that you had never expressed before?

We’ve tried a number of different styles of music throughout the years; uptempo stuff, some edgy stuff, but we always resort back to the 98 Degrees formula, which is great melodies, harmonies, and lyrics. Those things are all present in the song, but what’s different stylistically for us are the ’80s sounding synths, which put the things we’re best known for over some '80s-esque track elements, which were unique and a lot of fun.

What can fans expect from the upcoming ‘Full Circle’ shows?

Our shows are always full of energy and surprises, with a little humor injected. That’s no different with this upcoming group of shows. We sing a lot of ballads, but bring the energy!