In the past, the term “side project” usually entailed a half-hearted effort by a popular artist to duplicate previous successes.

Such is not the case for Matt Pryor and The New Amsterdams.

Pryor, better known as the frontman for the pop-oriented punk band The Get Up Kids, has evolved from an angst-filled indie posterboy into a seasoned singer/songwriter. The New Amsterdams has given Pryor a chance to show a more mature and emotional side of his songwriting abilities.

Pryor, a Midwestern native from Lawrence, Kan., says this freedom in style is something he hasn’t been able to fully achieve through The Get Up Kids.

“I’m older now, so I’d think it would be more mature,” he says. “It all feels very natural to me.”

Since the band’s formation in 2000, Pryor, along with guitarist Alex Brahl, drummer Jake Cardwell and bassist and fellow Get Up Kids bandmate Robert Pope , have recorded two previous albums, “Never You Mind” and “Para Toda Vida.” Dealing with love, friendship and the perils of fame, Pryor adds these themes to simple guitar melodies to create an honest, stripped-down style of music.

Although his matured writing is very different from his other project, Pryor isn’t concerned about how long-time fans will respond to a more insightful approach to songwriting, compared to the fast-paced, high-energy Get Up Kids material.

“I think the ones who are into the mellower Get Up Kids stuff will like it,” Pryor says. “The ones who are into the punk rock stuff just won’t buy the record.”

Regardless of how fans react, Pryor says the band’s latest album is aimed at a much broader audience than before. As a result, he is being exposed to new listeners who may have never paid attention to him in The Get Up Kids.

“We’re trying to [attract new listeners],” Pryor says. “I think we’re definitely attracting older people.”

Pryor has a unique approach to writing his music and “Worse for the Wear,” the band’s third full-length album, is a good example. Pryor adds unique elements to the music, including a pump organ and Mellotron synthesizer in “Vignette” and “Slight Return,” the album’s opening and ending tracks, respectively. However, Pryor says these less-than-common instruments don’t take away from the music’s overall purpose.

“You can be creative and pop-oriented,” Pryor says. “You can do whatever you want and still be you.”

Pryor says the songs on “Worse for the Wear” are reflections on experiences he had while touring the country. Songs like “Hover Near Fame” depict his feelings about Hollywood celebrities and how ugly their lifestyles are when the cameras aren’t around. Other songs like “From California” are ballads about past heartaches and love overcoming all obstacles. The record, which Pryor describes as “acoustic-driven rock ‘n’ roll [with] maybe a little country,” is chock-full of Midwestern-flavored emotional pop tunes that explore many of Pryor’s emotions.

With “Worse for the Wear” now on store shelves, The New Amsterdams have hit the road to support the new record. The band’s Midwestern tour will stretch from August into October. Pryor says he is looking forward to the laid-back atmosphere of the live shows.

“I have a band on the tour and I have a few songs by myself. We try to do a bit of both,” he says. “Whereas the Get Up Kids show might be a raging party, this is like a really good hang … it’s always special.”