With songs like “Me and Jesus” and “Life is Good,” Stellar Kart is well known for their energetic pop-punk style. They’re catchy. They’re bubblegum. They’re youthful. With the release of their third album, Expect the Impossible, Stellar Kart is expected to add sophistication to the individual sound that they’ve already established.

Stellar Kart delivers a spirited introduction through the enthusiastic songs “Innocent” and “Automatic.” Both songs follow the same archetypal Stellar Kart song- perky punk melodic vocals, and upfront lyrics. In “Innocent,” there is a yearning for a simpler, untarnished love and in “Automatic,” a yearning for one to love God as if it’s a natural reflex.

The third track will no doubt inspire a chorus of listeners to wisely point out, “It’s 'Me and Jesus' Part 2!” While “Jesus Loves You” does present almost the same message and the same musical style, one can’t ignore the sincerity in lead singer Adam Agee’s voice as he cries the only words left to say to somebody who continues to reject the truth.

Expect the Impossible stagnates a bit with the next two tracks. While “The Right One” and “Sunshine” capture the same joyfulness and catchy music as any other Stellar Kart song, they’re just that, any other Stellar Kart song. Both have a good message and both demand the listener to sing along, but they’re just ordinary.

“Pray” offers a solid effort in delivering a change of pace. It starts off softer than “Jesus Loves You” and builds to the same sincerity as Agee belts out the chorus to a subtle orchestral background.

With “Pray,” Stellar Kart introduces the second half of the album as having a bit more variety than the strictly simple power pop. “Shine Like the Stars” is sure to be a favorite with it’s heavier, tightly produced sound. Computerized effects and more orchestral samples encompass this song, prompting the listener to simply “shine like the stars/wherever you are.” It’s mature, yet still catchy and still undeniably Stellar Kart. “Eyes” follows with even more variety. 80’s style synthesizers kick off and envelope the track, adding flavor to what would be another typical Stellar Kart song.

The album draws to a close with the compelling “I Give Up,” with strong guitars that add more punch to this power pop song. The emotional “Letters” ends the project. The somewhat mournful tone of Agee’s voice and the sedated yet escalating drum rolls make “Letters” a bit too somber a tone to end on, but it’s a strong, positive effort nonetheless.

Producer Ian Eskelin has stated that the most unique aspect of Stellar Kart is “Content, content, content.” While the band does offer sincere lyrics with the most direct messages (“I want to love you like it’s automatic,” “Even if you don’t know the right words to say/pray”), the message will ultimately be lost if Stellar Kart continues to reuse the same style and same formula in their songs. Expect the Impossible isn’t exactly a big step forward from Stellar Kart, but there are elements of maturity and variety present in the second half of the album which will leave many fans eager for the next project.