Speaking Louder than Before, Jeremy Camp’s fifth studio release, has “a more clear-cut purpose and vision of what I’m meant to do,” according to Camp. That, along with Camp’s mission to reach the youth, is the basis behind the album. So does the album reach the motive? Yes and no. Speaking Louder than Before is strong in purpose but may lack the edgy sound the youth seek.

The album’s still radio-friendly pop/rock, but reaches past the norm on popular anthems “Speaking Louder than Before” and “I’m Alive.” “There Will be a Day,” the first single off the album, includes a dramatic ballad that ponders the second coming of Jesus and the state of the world. Other popular tracks include the theatrical “I Know Who I Am” and the noisy, “Giving You All Control.”

Say what you will about Jeremy Camp and Speaking Louder than Before. The artist is clearly growing up and he’s trying to take his music with him. At times the album stays true to what we’ve come to expect, while other times it shifts back to the youth.