"The record is called Departure for a number of reasons," says Jesse McCartney, whose multi-platinum 2004 debut album Beautiful Soul launched his career as an international singing star. "There have been departures in my career, in my personal life. I've learned a lot since doing my first couple of records. I think I've landed in the most comfortable place I've ever been musically as the style of music, my vocals and the lyrical content of the songs on this album. I co-wrote several songs on the new album, and learned a lot from the producers I worked with. In the process of writing for my own project, I wound up writing "Bleeding Love" with Ryan Tedder for Leona Lewis. Departure has a little more of mature sound than what my fans previously heard from me but this is the road that I'm on right now and it's the road that I believe they'll join with me!"
With star writers and hit making producers such as Sean Garrett (Usher, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, Pussycat Dolls, Chris Brown), Tricky & The-Dream (Rihanna, Mariah Carey), J.R. Rotem (Britney Spears, Sean Kingston, 50 Cent, Rihanna) and The Clutch (Omarion, Timbaland, Ciara, Bobby Valentino), Departure has an edgier pop/urban sound than Beautiful Soul and Jesse's sophomore album, 2006's Right Where You Want Me reflecting Jesse's growth as a songwriter and young man. "When it was time to do my third album, I wanted people to see another side of me. I wanted the record to have a little retro hint sonically but with a my own contemporary feel - I listened to the music of Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince a lot before we started the album. I knew I had to present myself in a fresh way so I was open to other people's ideas and suggestions, especially since I was working with such great writers and producers."
As the co-writer of many of the album's songs, Jesse chose to share the experiences he's had since Beautiful Soul made him a household name throughout the U.S. and in a dozen or more countries, from Italy to Japan. "I recorded my first solo album when I was 16. A lot has happened since then and this new album reflects my experiences growing up over the past couple of years and various stages of family and personal relationships. I bought my first home. I've been fortunate enough to tour all over the world which meant being away from my family and friends for very lengthy times. I've experienced all the ups and downs of relationships people my age go through. That's why I think fans who've grown up with me will relate to the songs on Departure, many of which do have an autobiographical feel."
