In news we all needed, last year JLS confirmed they were reuniting and going on tour but more recently they've announced they're dropping new music.
And now Aston has exclusively opened up to heatworld about being back in the studio with Marvin Humes, JB Gill and Oritsé Williams.
While promoting Virgin Atlantic's new initiative Airplause, which allows the nation to nominate someone who has helped them through lockdown so they can win prizes to top holiday destinations, Aston spilled the tea on JLS' new music... Well, kind of.
When we asked him what he can tell us about JLS' new songs, he joked, "At this moment in time? Absolutely nothing."
Okay, obsessed.
"We were in the studio the other day, trying to get a vibe going but it was really weird because I’m in [the booth] first, then someone else is in.
"You can’t really catch a proper vibe just because of everything that’s going on. Really and truly it’s a bit like the sooner this is all dealt with the better," he explained.
The singer went on to say, "We’re trying to get around it and make it work but, like everything this year, we’re trying to find a way to do it with these circumstances.
"It’s coming along, just with us following all the guidelines and rules. As soon as we are free to go in the studio properly we can be in the studio and get it done."
However there's one thing that Aston is looking forward to later this year and that's JLS' tour.
JLS: where are they now?
JLS: where are they now? - slider
1 of 8Oritsé Williams then
Oritsé was known for being the founding member of JLS, initially calling the group UFO aka Unique Famous Outrageous. This changed to JLS aka Jack the Lad Swing as another group was already called UFO.
2 of 8Oritsé Williams now
Six months after JLS splitting up, Oritsé took part in Stepping Out with then-girlfriend AJ Azari. They went on to win the show in September 2013, beating Brain McFadden and his then-wife Vogue in the final. He then took on a solo career and released his debut album Waterline in 2015.
3 of 8JB Gill then
JB Gill was definitely the heartthrob of the group, everyone fancied him tbh.
4 of 8JB Gill now
Since the group split up, JB released a debut solo single which he team up with DJ, Charlie Hedges. He also taken part in a few TV shows such as Celebrity MasterChef 2014, series two of The Jump in 2015, Who's Doing the Dishes? in 2016, and Dance Dance Dance in 2017 - coming third place with his wife. JB is currently a presenter on BBC's Songs of Praise.
5 of 8Aston Merrygold then
Aston was known for being the baby of the group - he is the youngest member and joined the group when he was only 20 years old.
6 of 8Aston Merrygold now
Aston started a solo career, releasing a single in 2015 but the album it features on is still unreleased. Two years later he took part in series 15 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Aston went out of the competition in week seven, coming tenth place with his partner Janette Manrara. However, he appeared on the Strictly Christmas Special and reunited with his partner, winning the show in 2018. Most recently, Aston has become part of a CBBC series Almost Never which aired in 2019. He then went on to do a tour of Rip It Up in 2019 - starring Jay McGuiness, Louis Smith and Harry Judd.
7 of 8Marvin Humes then
Marvin is the oldest member of the group, and the first member Oritsé found to join JLS.
8 of 8Marvin Humes now
Marvin has now gone on to become a DJ, TV presenter and a radio host. He has presented several shows - one of them being The Voice UK which he was on from 2014 to 2016, before the show moved to ITV. In 2019, Marvin got his own show on BBC with his wife Rochelle Humes, The Hit List, which has aired for three series. Definitely a show for all music lovers.
"The tour is our main focus, that’s what we’re most excited for especially now that it’s locked in now for October, November."
And if you're wondering what they'll be performing you'll be happy to hear that they're going to be singing all their iconic songs.
As for new music? Aston joked, "Well I'll say it depends if the new stuff does well. We’re never going to do something that no one likes.
"Hopefully people like it and then we can do it on tour."
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Aston also opened up about JLS working on new music and admitted they're open to working with literally anyone - even someone from TikTok.
"You could find the next unbelievable talent, slapping beats on TikTok and we love that," he explained.
"Let’s jump on something like that and it can turn out to be a crazy hit like Savage Love by Jason Derulo out of nowhere.
"We’re so open to working with a whole array of people."
During our chat Aston opened up about Virgin Atlantic's new Airplause campaign and revealed why he got involved.
"It’s to give back to selfless people that have been doing their best to keep people’s fitness, mental health, morale, spirits and everything up during lockdown – just off their own back.
"And because it’s been the most horrific, hard year for a lot of us, it’s for people that have gone out their own way to really look out for other people and most importantly really – strangers."
He explained, "We’re looking out for the communities, humanity itself. It’s just been the strangest, awful year for a lot of people. A little bit of kindness during these times will just go a long way."
Aston also opened up about who has helped him during lockdown and he admitted it's those closest to him.
"For me over lockdown personally, it’s just been amazing to have family around me. That’s driven me mostly.
"Just waking up every morning and having that laughter and love from the kids and Sarah. It’s hard to be in a mood or be disheartened or negative in this household because there’s so much laughter. It’s really helped me personally get through this year."
As part of its new Airplause initiative, Virgin Atlantic is calling on the nation to nominate a friend, relative or neighbour to earn flights to top destinations such as the Caribbean, India, Israel or the USA as soon as it’s safe to hit the skies.
If you want to get involved and nominate someone you can by visiting Virgin's Airplause initiative.