Dracaena Fragrans / Cornplant sudden change in growth, color, smell – good or bad?

Hoping some cornplant afficionados can help me out here.

This cornplant has been calmy chugging along for about 2 years, and recently I moved it to a new pot (same size), retained 90% of the soil, and the conditions (lighting, water) have stayed mostly the same, probably more light than before.

I also moved to a new fertilizer (3-1-2, previously 1-1-1) but this guy doesn't get much fertilizer as it is.

For a few weeks, growth stalled, which I understand if it was growing out more roots in the new pot.

But when growth restarted, it looks very different, and I can't tell if this is a stressed plant or positive change.

1. New growth appears to be thicker, but no leaves have grown to prior length yet
2. Significantly more variegation
3. The stalk appears to be much thicker, but it also seems like it's bolting up and will have longer internodal distance.
4. There is now an odor at night coming from where the new growth is, enough to smell across the room, but not "sweet" at all, not rot either.

I've only ever seen one type of growth from this guy so I can't tell if this is good or bad.

My assumption is that it's good, I'm just surprised at the dramatic change.