Two and a half years after their major-label debut, Relient K released their sixth studio effort, Forget And Not Slow Down.

Relient K, known for singles such as Be My Escape and Who I Am Hates Who I've Been, reunited with former record label Gotee, specifically sister-label Mono vs Stereo (which Relient K now manage), to release the new album.

When listening to the opening song (which also serves as the title-track), there is an immediate sense that something has changed. To say that they matured would disrespect past endeavors, but clearly Forget And Not Slow Down is different from Relient K's previous albums.

Musically, Relient K seems to veer away from the flashy pop/rock genres they're known for, to more of a heartland-rock sound, combining characteristics of bands like Augustana with those of Sherwood.

This newfound sound may seem familiar. Lead singer Matt Thiessen, who also serves as the band's primary songwriter, pianist and guitarist, says this is because they were going for a 90s sound, similar to Counting Crows and Foo Fighters.

"A lot of bands use MIDI and synthesizers - fake instruments. We have too," said Thiessen. "But on this record, everything you hear is really played."

This shows, as the music is much more organic and raw.

...Relient K seems to veer away from the flashy pop/rock genre they're known for, to more of a heartland-rock sound...

Although the band doesn't completely abandon the catchy hooks that brought them to prominence, Forget And Not Slow Down proves to be more experimental.

Specifically in the song Sahara, guitarists Matthew Hoopes and Jonathan Schneck reach an alternative rock sound rivaling Incubus. The song features guest vocals from Aaron Gillespie (Underoath, The Almost), as well as Tim Skipper (House of Heroes).

The album as a whole doesn't get heavier, and many of the songs will sound like the old Relient K, but with a new twist. Tracks like Candlelight, and Therapy feature Thiessen on recognizable driving keys. They even reach a jazzy sound in Over It.

Lyrically, the album certainly shows a new chapter of growth, as Thiessen sheds his witty and clever lyrical habits that were able to make listeners giggle. The messages in Forget And Not Slow Down are simple, and to the point.

The songs loosely center around Thiessen's breakup with his fiancée. Despite this, the album is consistent with Relient K's positive nature.

"The songs that tend to be the fan favorites in the past are the ones about making mistakes but ultimately moving past them," Hoopes said. "And this record has a lot of that feeling."

Even in the darker song This Is The End/(If You Want It), where Thiessen describes his heartbreak at the hands of the devil (which he compares to a Medusa-esk woman), he concludes that he is "worth what I'll convince myself to be."

Relient K offers its first real change as a band with Forget And Not Slow Down. Musically and lyrically, the band switches gear to a more mature sound and list of song topics. However, their uncanny ability to simplify universal struggles and worries so all listeners can benefit, will prove to make this an important album in their discography.