"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.