Rating: 8/10
Indie-pop artist Djo released his third studio album, “The Crux,” on Friday. The album consists of 12 songs and is 45 minutes in length.
Djo is the alias of “Stranger Things” star Joe Keery, who began his musical career in 2019 with his first album “Twenty Twenty.”
Since then, he has continued to evolve his music style and sound while exploring his identity as an artist.
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“The Crux” is described as an adventure through a fictional hotel, exploring themes of love, change and identity.
In the past, Keery made an effort to separate his life as an actor and a musician. To create a different persona for Djo, he has tried wearing a wig, sunglasses and a jumpsuit. However, for “The Crux,” he finally seems willing to merge his two identities.
“It felt like, for the presentation of the album, going back to the wig and the glasses was a really fun conceit, but it just wasn’t right for this project,” Keery said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I’m happy that it’s a front-facing thing where it’s really about me and my life, and the most authentic way to represent it, I thought, was to just kind of face it full-on.”
One of the biggest standouts of the album is its instrumentals, specifically the piano, bass and synthesizer. They form the foundations of many of the album’s best tracks and give it a distinct sound.
The album’s opening track, “Lonesome Is A State Of Mind,” is exactly what it sounds like — a song about recovering from the loneliness that comes from the end of a relationship.
“Lonesome is a state of mind/ No, I won’t be lonely anymore,” Keery sings confidently.
The song perfectly sets the tone for the album and prepares the listener for the themes that are explored.
“Basic Being Basic” details the end of a relationship due to one person’s obsession with appearances over genuine love. The vibrant synthesizer and vocals make the track a fun listen as Keery digs into the faults of his ex-partner.
“Link” is one of the album’s more forgettable tracks despite its racing guitar. The lyrics detail how the singer struggles to feel happy despite success. However, the song ultimately feels like it glosses over the lyrical or emotional themes.
Fortunately, the next track, “Potion,” brings a more unique sound and subject matter with its acoustic guitar and lighter vocals. The song is hopeful as the singer talks about the search for romantic love and how it is far more genuine than money and fame.
“Glitz and glamour doesn’t age like wine does/ I … I’m countin’ on love,” Keery sings hopefully.
“Charlie’s Garden” delves into unique territory, depicting Keery’s close friendship with his “Stranger Things” co-star Charlie Heaton.
The song expresses the relief he feels when spending time with his friend while taking a break from his work.
The song even features spoken-word segments from Heaton, asking Keery when he can return to work as an actor, fueling the wistful nature of the track.
“How can I convince myself/ Convince myself to stay?” Keery sings. “That work just won’t do itself/ That can wait another day.”
“Back on You” is easily Djo’s strongest outing on the entire album. Beginning with a segment of a choir singing the opening lyrics, the track does not let up lyrically or sonically until the end with a rock-solid guitar and drum beat and biting vocals.
The song is a love letter to Keery’s three sisters, who are all featured vocally on the track.
“I’d lay my life down on the line for you, that’s the truth, yeah/ Sisters made a better brother,” Keery sings.
The final song “Crux,” titled after the album, is a fitting way to close the album with a piano ballad emphasizing the importance of being vulnerable and in touch with one’s feelings.
While not every track delivers fully, “The Crux” represents an important step in Djo’s journey as an artist and performer, tapping into themes that allow him to show his emotional vulnerability and continue to improve his sound.
