Djo’s New Album: A Journey Through The Crux

On April 4th, Djo, aka Joe Keery, released his third studio album, The Crux. In preparation for this release, he spent the last few months playing festivals and beginning his first-ever world tour. It was an ongoing project while he was fulfilling his acting projects. The process took him to many different places around the world and many different emotional states.

This new album features his family, friends, and long-time collaborators. This personal touch gives a warm aura that encapsulates the feeling of love and appreciation. You can seek comfort in each song, and it’s like you’re being wrapped in a hug from a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Let’s break down each song and discuss why we are loving The Crux!

Lonesome Is A State Of Mind

The album opens with a synth beat, an acoustic guitar, and hard-hitting lyrics about the struggles of being lonely. With a fairly upbeat tune, the thought-provoking lyrics stick with you after listening. You follow the story as Djo sings about running out of time, the fear of getting older, and getting back your independence. The tone of the album is set with the ending lyrics, “No, you’re not lonely when you’re hanging with yourself,” and the road to acceptance has begun.

Time, it takes an edge
And grinds it clean
Turns a scar to a seam

Basic Being Basic

We’ve had a while to sit on this one, as it was released as the first single for the album in January. What a perfect first single it is! It gets straight to the point: “I think you’re scared of being basic.” He brings in the same synth-heavy sound from his previous album DECIDE, changing it up with spoken-word verses. Djo sings about how ironic it is to be basic if you’re trying so hard not to be. Sometimes it’s okay to admit you’re basic.

I guess I’ll thank you and spite your name again
The past’s the past, and I’ll outlast the hate to find real love that’s not pretend

‘Link’

With a strong guitar, the song begins fast and heated. It’s like a mix between Thin Lizzy and The Cars with a little bit of Billy Idol. The lyrics reflect the theme of the internal struggle with change that Djo has sung about thus far. The anxieties of adulthood, and still feeling like you haven’t quite figured things out yet. This one has anthem written all over it, especially when the chorus shouts, “Hey! A link is breaking out of the chain.”

Cat’s cradle of a lifetime
Is it really like this?
Am I just another gel man?

‘Potion’

The final single from the album was released just the day before. It sounds like a fairytale, with sounds we can imagine in a fantasy game. “It’s like your favorite pair of blue jeans,” says Keery, “I’d been working on Travis picking when I wrote this song, so it’s kind of like if Harry Nilsson and Lindsey Buckingham had a baby.” And those influences come through very strongly on this one. On this acoustic and falsetto-led track, Djo is particularly front and center. He’s tackling vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums, percussion, and Mellotron.

Mr Magic and the trapdoor ladies
Big walk, no talk
Glitz and glamour doesn’t age like wine does
I’m countin’ on love

‘Delete Ya’

This was the second single to grace our ears, and we weren’t expecting the emotional rollercoaster we were about to listen to. A beautiful mix of sounds like The Police and The Cars meet lyrics that will pull your heart in two. ‘Delete Ya’ sounds like something pulled straight out of the 80s, with a synth-pop guitar and rhythm. Djo sings about trying to break free from a past relationship and how it’s easier said than done. We all wish we could just erase somebody from our lives.

Oh, God, I wish I could release ya
Wind it back and never be with ya
Then I’d be happy just to meet ya

‘Egg’

Nobody was expecting this song to be what it is now that we’ve all heard it. It goes through a transformation as you’re listening, like turning a blind corner, not knowing what comes next. ‘Egg’ is about the internal conflict you have and how you wish you could be somebody else. Djo wonders if the fear will take him, if he’ll sink back into himself, not knowing what to be next. It’s a rollercoaster ride of going back to who you are; the egg, the shell of who you used to be, and who you are going to be. The sound on this track channels music from DECIDE, like a mixture of ‘Figure You Out’ and ‘Change.’

Can one be great? Can one be kind?
When history shows, they’re not intertwined
So what will you choose, your heart or your pride?
Could you really be so self-satisfied?

‘Fly’

Djo slows things down on this track. It begins with a hazy melody and haunting introduction of yearning to get some warmth back in your life. Perhaps a time when you were at your happiest, not being weighed down by the gloom of the colder months. The lyrics speak about how you must get away from what may be holding you back, in this case, a past lover. He sings that it would be so easy, but he knows he must escape this cycle. By the time spring comes again, he will be ready to bloom.

I followed every winding road
And the path it took me to
No, I don’t look back in anger
Do you?

‘Charlie’s Garden’

As soon as the track opens with that piano tune, you immediately think of The Beatles or Supertramp. A very 60s/70s inspired sound with a British influence, likely from his friend and co-star Charlie Heaton, which this song is about. A sanctuary Djo found amongst all the chaos while filming in Atlanta for Stranger Things. Charlie features in the song in voicemails with an American accent, mimicking those that Djo would get around filming schedules changing. ‘Charlie’s Garden’ is where he found his solace during this period of his life.

The fire’s on
It takes a day for the water to boil
Thank me now
For when the sun’s down we’re gonna be warm

‘Gap Tooth Smile’

Djo channels his inner Freddie Mercury on this classic rock track, quoting him in the lyrics, “Frеddie said it right, ’cause she’s my killеr queen.” This song is about the feeling of being in love with someone. We got a taste of this at the live shows back in February, and from what we could see, it was one of his favorites to perform. It’s a different sound from the other songs on the album, but it shows the diverse musical range that he has.

It’s not fair, it’s love
God, I count my blessings from the one eyed dove
It’s her hair, her style
But I fell in love with her gap tooth smile

‘Golden Line’

Channeling The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees, and even some Billy Joel, Djo starts with an angelic piano and interdimensional harmonies. Featuring the string instruments of a Violin, Viola, and Cello, this song is what I’d imagine heaven sounds like. Djo has stated that he wrote this song about his parents and his relationship with them. The soft airy sound showcases the vulnerability of the lyrics and how he feels about them.

How can I repay the due?
The way you know me, love me, pull me through
Yes, it’s true, I do it all for you

‘Back On You’

The Brooklyn Youth Chorus opens up this powerful track, which has never been done before in Djo’s music. Their sound is perfectly utilized in this song, adding to the deeper meaning of it. All of Joe’s bandmates from Post Animal, as well as his sisters, all feature in this deeply emotional song about the connection of family and friends. ‘Back On You’ is a love letter to everyone in your life, no matter how near or far. This tune has you thinking about loved ones, old friends, and the people who supported you when you needed it the most. It’s a reminder to tell the people in your life that you love and appreciate them.

When life’s plan
Isn’t shinin’ through
You understand
You help me see it through
So, you can count on me
I’m leaning back on you

‘Crux’

Closing the album with a song about facing important decisions delivers the final message: you have to get back to your heart. Despite everything in your life changing, it’s important to get back to the things that you used to love. Those things are the key to getting back to who you are inside. It has a message everyone can relate to, and it’s a perfect way to end the album.

There’s a crux to everything
Not everybody’s contemplating it
Only you unsatisfied
I wonder who is on this island with me?

The Crux is Djo’s most impressive work to date. He has gone beyond what we expected and continues to take it to the next level in his live performances. We can see that this is a pivotal moment in his music career, and we are so excited to see it go even further. Listen to The Crux on all streaming platforms, and check Djo out on tour! Tell us over on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram what your favorite songs are!