Multi-hyphenate musician and instrumentalist Djo, also known as acclaimed actor Joe Keery, released his highly anticipated third studio album, The Crux, on April 4, via AWAL. The collection of 12 songs is a deeply honest snapshot of his emotions over the past few years that features a rich soundscape achieved through the musical resources at his disposal at the historic Electric Lady Studios. He reunited with former bandmates from Post Animal and longtime musical collaborator Adam Thein to build the world of The Crux. Singles "Basic Being Basic," "Delete Ya," and "Potion" introduced fans to the '60s-inspired pop sounds of the album. Poignant lyrics, layered production, and varied vocal tones bring Djo's signature modern edge. The cover art features a cast of kooky characters and explores the concept of sonder—the feeling when one realizes that everyone has an equally complex life—which foreshadows the journey of identity and self-expression Djo embarks on throughout the album.
The optimistic first track, "Lonesome Is A State of Mind," is exactly what it sounds like: a proclamation that being alone does not mean one must be lonely. Lyrics like "I know I've heard that song" at the beginning transform to "Tell me what's that song?" toward the end, which chronicles Djo's shift from feeling lost in a monotonous routine to rediscovering the joy in the unknowns of life post-heartbreak. The first few seconds of the song harness Mort Garson's Mother Earth's Plantasia, with the intimate tone of his voice-memo-esque vocals making it sound as if he is singing directly to the listener. The line "Time it takes an edge / Grinds it clean / Turns a scar to a seam" explores themes of acceptance and the notion that healing is not only possible but an inevitable facet of the passing of time.
Making Mellow Magic
The standout track, "Charlie's Garden," is straight out of The Beatles' Abbey Road, with a jubilant brass section during the bridge reminiscent of "Penny Lane." The track is inspired by the time he spent filming Stranger Things with costar Charlie Heaton in Atlanta. Djo sings, "That work just won't do itself / That can wait another day / One more day in Charlie's Garden," to explain how he uses this space as a fantastical escape from life's responsibilities. Word choices like "sleepy" in "Take a cup / Drink the sleepy away" and bright piano chords foster a sense of whimsy and play.
A reoccurring sonic theme of The Crux is Djo’s dedication to building atmosphere, whether that be through instruments, background sounds, or vocal layering. The song "Fly" explores the importance of leaving a relationship that's run its course even if it feels easier to stay: "Falling back to her / Could be easy to do / But I / Must fly." The deep piano notes and whistling wind set the winter scene while he sings "I'm running through the snow again / When will spring come again." The sonic landscape provides comfort as if one has found refuge in a warm blanket inside a log cabin amidst a blizzard. The soothing soundscape abruptly changes to a single dry vocal with only a Travis picking guitar melody in the back, evoking a sense of isolation. The production decisions bring inspiration from decades past to the present, where Djo has full access to modern technology that enhances the emotional themes.
"Golden Line" takes the '60s inspiration in a new direction, with swinging harmonies and melodies during lines like "Life can bring you down / The world can be so cruel," reminiscent of The Beach Boys and Carpenters instead of the pop rock sound of The Beatles.
Photo Credit: Neil Krug / Photo Credit: CJ Harvey
"Back On You" is the second-longest track on the album and still bursts at the seams with tenderness and appreciation. The ethereal opening portion features the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, a unique moment unlike the rest of the album, which captures the listener's attention and places them at a recital in an auditorium. Gratitude for his sisters is front and center, with lyrics like "I count my lucky stars that I have them / Cause everyday they are a lifeline / An inspiration to be a better man" painting a picture of their relationship. Djo credits his eldest sister for introducing him to The Beatles, another example of how he sonically infused the importance of family into the album by pulling inspiration from the band. It is clear why he selected this track for the name of the tour, the Back On You World Tour, as it is also a heartfelt declaration to the fan community he has created through his music. The chanting elements during the chorus convey the idea that it takes a village and a strong support system to make it through. He sings, "You can count on me / I mean it back on you," as a sincere promise.
It's Time To Rock
The hint of swagger and grunge in his voice on "Back On You" extends to the two classic rock tracks "Link" and the cheeky "Gap Tooth Smile." "Link" is a celebration of authenticity and rebellion against the norm. Lyrics like "I just graduated / Top of my class / The farthest from last / So why do I feel so bad?" and "You must do what's right / I always do what's right / Black and white / I think I see a different side," tackle the idea that one must find their own definition of success despite expectations. It is a freeing feeling to be a link "breaking out of the chain." Crunchy OB-X8 synths, guitar riffs, and siren sounds make this high-speed track something straight out of a fast-paced heist scene, like in Keery's own Marmalade.
Unafraid to Reference
"Egg" is a particularly intriguing track. There are moments where a cacophony of chatter and background noise mirror the inner dialogue of someone dealing with fear in their decision-making. The storyline also parallels scenes from Coralie Fargeat's Academy-award-winning body horror film The Substance. The film explores beauty standards, aging, and the effect of internalizing societal ideals. Lyrics like "I'm crawling out of my skin / Saw me through the eyes of the world," "Don't you wish you could be somebody else," and "Your entire life is wiped clean from the bathroom window," describe similar moments in the film that primarily takes place in a cold and industrial bathroom. Not to mention, the opening scene of the movie demonstrates how the substance works by performing the injection on an egg. Fans can expect edits of this song with scenes from The Substance and Severance's Helena egg-eating scene to begin circulating the internet soon.
Djo brings the album to a moving close with the (almost) title track "Crux." The slower tempo allows fans to reflect on the album and take in the lyrical arc. The crux of this track is in the line, "Get back to your heart / Only if you give it back again." After grappling with his own heartbreak, Djo now has the confidence to give advice to the listener on how to deal with theirs. The vintage vocals end the album where it began, with an intimate quality that pulls the listener in. The fluttering repeated outro feels like the final drone shot of a movie right before the credits start to roll, fostering an introspective moment where the story comes to a close.
It is clear that Djo is unafraid to reference while making each element his own. His genre-less exploration of sound enables him to pull inspiration from rock, pop, neo-mellow, electronic, and more with a cohesive through line. Following Boston would give our stay at The Crux Hotel a 5-star rating.
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