Atwood Journal’s writers unpack Djo’s daring and introspective third album ‘The Crux,’ exploring its sonic playfulness, lyrical vulnerability, and emotional evolution as Joe Keery steps additional into himself, navigating solitude, id, and the seek for reality via music.
Featured listed here are Atwood writers Anu Sarode, Ashley Littlefield, Claire Meyer, Dimitra Gurduiala, Miranda Urbanczyk, and Olivia Martinez!
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To start out, what’s your relationship with Djo’s music?
Miranda Urbanczyk: Discovering new music is a passion of mine, which results in nice treasure. There are such a lot of musicians which can be ready to be discovered. Earlier than Djo was introduced as Joe Keery’s musical undertaking, I had seen the title on my Spotify suggestions. I by no means clicked on his music, and genuinely couldn’t inform you why. It’s simple to cross by new artists once you’re within the midst of studying the songs of a number of musicians. As soon as I discovered that Joe Keery was Djo, I instantly acknowledged the artist’s title and dove proper into his discography. Ever since that second in 2022, he has been on my common rotation of music.
Anu Sarode: Informal! To inform you the reality, I don’t know an excessive amount of about Djo himself past that he’s an actor in Stranger Issues and that I’ve heard his music “Finish of Starting” lots on the web (which I like). You possibly can see in his reside performances his love for the music, and I’ve lots of respect for that.
Olivia Martinez: I first encountered Djo’s music on Spotify when his music, “Chateau (Really feel Alright)” was placed on my Uncover Weekly playlist again in 2019. I saved the music and included it in a number of of my very own playlists all through the next 12 months or so. Finally, I noticed an image of him and made the affiliation along with his character, Steve, from Stranger Issues, realizing that he was really the actor, Joe Keery. Rewatching the Stranger Issues, I noticed that Steve is definitely my favourite character. I’m glad that his expertise as each an actor and a musician is being acknowledged on such a big scale proper now!
Ashley Littlefield: Djo is taken into account a brand new artist I found earlier this 12 months. It was cool to see that he had a efficiency at Coachella on the Mojave stage. Joe Keery, an actor and musician greatest identified for his function in Stranger Issues, has sparked my curiosity about his work. As soon as I started listening, I observed a uniqueness that stood out in his third album, The Crux. Djo opened up my common palate for listening, and it’s refreshing to listen to new music from such a multi-facted performing artist.
Dimitra Gurduiala: It’s fairly humorous, really. I’ve at all times identified who he was due to TikTok, with out ever watching Stranger Issues (it’s on my watchlist, although). “Finish of Starting” was actually all over the place, I regarded for him on Spotify, after which I used to be pleasantly stunned. Not solely as a result of I noticed Djo’s fairly good certainly, but additionally as a result of plainly a while in the past I had saved his 2019 single “Mortal Projections,” with out having any concept about who he was or was about to change into. Glad I had the prospect to re-discover him!
Claire Meyer: I might additionally think about myself a fairly informal listener with regard to Djo. Like many others have stated, I first realized about Joe Keery from Stranger Issues, and would say I most likely know him from his performing greater than his music. However his sound/model of music may be very, similar to what I usually hearken to, so I’ve been slowly (and possibly unconsciously) absorbing it over the previous 12 months or two – just about since “The Finish of Starting” blew up on TikTok. I grew to become a extra acutely aware listener main as much as this album, along with his singles popping up in my Launch Radar on Spotify.
What are your preliminary impressions and reactions to The Crux?
Miranda Urbanczyk: Initially, I used to be completely in shock and disbelief upon my first hear of The Crux. This album was nothing I anticipated it to be, in the very best method. Whereas I knew it will be nice regardless, Keery stepped into a brand new sound that I completely adored.
Anu Sarode: Oh man, nice stuff. There’s a lot taking place on this document. He takes his voice to lots of totally different locations and there’s a very heat, kinda 70s undertone to every thing. I had a beautiful time listening. It jogged my memory of being a young person.
Olivia Martinez: I’m actually glad anytime an indie musician places out music that feels enjoyable. Trendy artists usually take themselves too severely with a view to seem “genuine,” however I believe that The Crux illuminates Djo’s authenticity via vibrancy and sonic range versus monotony. That is undoubtedly extra fascinating to my ears.
Ashley Littlefield: The album unfolds as a story, starting with the sensation of being caught in a selected mindset introduced on by solitude and uncertainty. Because the document progresses, it steadily builds on hope and transformation, whether or not via relationships or private ambitions. The music evolves in direction of a extra profound interior reality and self-acceptance via the journey it undertakes to succeed in its vacation spot, marked by development.
Dimitra Gurduiala: Beloved it. I anticipated one thing mild and enjoyable, so I used to be amazed at how profound it turned out to be. It made me ponder about loneliness, my expectations for the longer term and far, rather more. It additionally made me dance although, lots certainly! Though it was launched in April, to me it feels very very similar to a summer season album.
Claire Meyer: I used to be additionally shocked at how enjoyable and free it felt. It’s a kind of albums the place if you happen to don’t actually hearken to the lyrics you’d suppose each music is glad. It’s undoubtedly an enormous tonal and thematic shift from his earlier releases. Dimitra stated it feels extra summer season than spring, however I believe it suits the transitional interval of late spring/early summer season fairly effectively; there’s a breeziness to it that seems like early summer season, however there’s nonetheless a little bit of storminess inside that reminds us not every thing is so sunny.
How does this album examine to Djo’s first two albums, DECIDE and Twenty Twenty – what are probably the most putting similarities or variations?
Miranda Urbanczyk: The Crux opens the door to vulnerability with its delicate, passionate, and highly effective lyrics. Keery is now not sure to alter-egos as he totally embraces and expresses what weighs on his coronary heart. His albums previous to this current launch, DECIDE and Twenty Twenty centered on fame and different navigation Keery confronted. Keery takes a special strategy with The Crux whereas concurrently staying true to himself.
Olivia Martinez: With every album that Djo releases, he appears to additional embrace his expertise for writing catchy hooks. I recognize that many songs from The Crux are enjoyable to sing together with and have been getting caught in my head, with out dropping any of Djo’s inherent inventive integrity. When given management of the aux, that is an album I can confidently play within the automobile, no matter who I’m driving with. Every observe has an instantaneous hook, which is a worth cherished by most music listeners.
Ashley Littlefield: Crux has a softer tone all through the document. Resolve options extra 80s-inspired drum pads and synths, with textured vocals including a futuristic contact to the album. Twenty Twenty has a smoother cadence and groove to his debut. Crux and Twenty Twenty are related in sound, however with Djo’s newest, developed and emotionally resonant timeless staple.
Dimitra Gurduiala: It certain is coherent to Djo’s inventive id. Like Miranda talked about, The Crux appears to be extra centered on the weak facet of the artist, even when musically it could possibly be outlined as extra enjoyable than DECIDE. Twenty Twenty can also be fairly nice, despite the fact that you possibly can undoubtedly discover (each lyrically and musically) that Djo’s matured rather a lot. I’d say that his preliminary works really feel extra experimental and various than The Crux, however it lastly appears he has a greater view of who he’s and who he desires to be.
Claire Meyer: You possibly can inform that with every album launched, (D)Jo(e) is rising extra comfy as a solo artist. I like how Miranda put it, that along with his different releases Djo centered on fame and navigating it. Nevertheless it seems like on this album, the main target has shifted extra inward. I nonetheless suppose that how he’s navigating fame is being explored, however it seems like he’s extra desirous about exploring himself and his relationships, and by proxy, how fame has affected them. To me, this album feels much less synth-heavy than his earlier releases have been. It feels extra exploratory in sound and thematically.
Djo teased The Crux with “Primary Being Primary,” “Delete Ya,” and “Potion.” Are these singles trustworthy representations of the album?
Miranda Urbanczyk: Whereas all three singles are great, “Potion” was the one one which felt actually representational of the album. First impressions are vital, and on this case mislead me. “Primary Being Primary” was the primary music I heard from the LP, which led me to consider The Crux would come with extra upbeat anthems. Nevertheless, I really favor softer songs comparable to “Potion” and instantly fell in love with the album upon first hear. On this method, despite the fact that my first impressions led me astray, it felt much more rewarding listening to an sudden sound.
Anu Sarode: Nicely, what I appreciated most about this album on first hear was what number of totally different vibes and tones he’s capable of hit and nonetheless have the tracks sequenced so the songs move properly into one another. So I believe they’re about as faithfully consultant as they could possibly be for an album with such vary.
Olivia Martinez: I believe these songs have been good representations of the album. Each “Primary Being Primary” and “Delete Ya” seem to be apparent upbeat singles, whereas “Potion” offers a style of the extra bare-bones acoustic tracks. They concurrently sparked anticipation and expectation for The Crux, which is strictly what good singles ought to do. As soon as the remainder of the album was launched, my expectations have been met with a cohesive total vibe and in addition exceeded by intelligent and thrilling moments I by no means would have predicted.
Ashley Littlefield: Completely! “Primary Being Primary” is a enjoyable, satirical commentary on the present language used to make the mundane humorous, whereas welcoming it into conversations to make clear it in a optimistic method via adverse feedback in hindsight. “Delete Ya” is a reflective, nostalgic tune that yearns to show again time and rethink previous selections. “Potion” is a softer perception, that includes brilliant acoustic guitar that provides hope and a candy give up to the straightforward moments we endure all through life.
Dimitra Gurduiala: Sure, I’d say so particularly for “Delete Ya,” despite the fact that I believe probably the most consultant music of the album is “Lonesome Is a State of Thoughts.” It’s additionally true that this one is the opening observe, although, so I don’t complain an excessive amount of about it not being a single. Other than this, “Potion” is gorgeous and “Primary Being Primary” is kind of upbeat and manages to catch the listener’s consideration, that are good elements for a single observe. They characterize the assorted souls that type the album, the nostalgia and hope that include it.
Claire Meyer: I believe the singles chosen gave an awesome sneak peak of what to anticipate from the album as an entire. They every hit on a special tone in the course of the album. “Primary Being Primary” and (form of) “Delete Ya” hit on the extra upbeat, catchy, enjoyable facet of The Crux, whereas “Potion” touches on the softer, extra introspective facet of issues. I agree with what everybody else stated about every single having a candy sense of nostalgia in it.
The phrase “crux” refers to crucial level at difficulty. Why do you suppose Keery may need settled on this title for this album?
Miranda Urbanczyk: The Crux acts as a seek for the reality, a want for true connection. Whether or not Keery is being trustworthy with himself, or navigating via life- the reality modifications an individual. When actuality modifications in a cut up second, what to be true acts as the inspiration of life. Juggling all of those feelings without delay concurrently connects with the which means of “crux,” offering a representational title for such a fancy album.
Anu Sarode: Maybe he felt that the problems he wrote about for this album have been of specific consequence in his life. There’s lots of reflection on self and people round him.
Olivia Martinez: The lyrics of the album appear to give attention to life modifications and private development, two themes which can be often united by one central crux. Once I hear from begin to end, the music “Egg” stands out as a sonic turning level each single time. Particularly, there’s a second on the finish of the prechorus when the beat drops out and is changed by solitary eighth notes performed by an digital keyboard. This second feels not solely important, however like a climactic arc of the album as an entire. Listening again, I discovered that the lyric throughout this second is “Don’t you would like you can be anyone else?” Possibly that is totally misguided, however that easy query may doubtlessly be a form of thematic crux, or “important level requiring decision resolving of an consequence,” of the document.
Ashley Littlefield: Crux jogs my memory of the burden people carry and the emotional affect of how we select to hold the moments we have now forward. The title is a straightforward illustration of how others can even relate to the which means of following an interior compass. The modifications in tonality all through the album can shift the listener’s perspective on the lengthy highway forward.
Dimitra Gurduiala: Being weak is just not simple, in any respect. It requires energy, braveness, however most of all – it requires love. There are a lot of people who find themselves afraid to do something due to their fears, which is comprehensible and completely regular. We’re afraid to get our coronary heart damaged, to expertise loss, to develop. All of those fears are carried like a heavy weight on the center, equally to a crux. All people carries their very own crux, what actually issues is the way you determine to take care of it, to reside as an alternative of surviving with concern. That is precisely what I get from listening to The Crux.
Claire Meyer: All through the album, Djo is exploring himself and the way he pertains to the world round him – his pals, his household, and so on. He bares all, leaving himself weak for the listener to really study him. In some ways, it seems like Keery is making an attempt to determine the crux of his private struggles. At different instances, it seems like he views fame because the crux that prompted him to really feel disconnected from the remainder of the world. There’s additionally an acceptance close to the tip of the document that makes it really feel like embracing his vulnerability was the crux of this complete train. I actually like what Olivia stated about viewing “Egg” because the crux to The Crux, it gives a novel perception that I’m keen to contemplate the following time I hear via!
Keery has stated he was grappling with the transience of his different job and being untethered and away from family and friends whereas penning this document. How do you are feeling these themes manifest on these songs?
Miranda Urbanczyk: Feelings and experiences are a musician’s gas when songwriting. It solely is sensible that Keery channeled these emotions of loneliness and wrestle when creating this album. It’s seen in his uncooked lyricism, placing his coronary heart on showcase for all to dissect.
Anu Sarode: Within the last observe of the identical title, he repeats many instances, “Get again to your coronary heart.” Which sort of makes good sense for a man lacking his family members.
Olivia Martinez: “Fly” appears to encapsulate this assertion very effectively. Keery sings, “I adopted each winding highway, and the trail it took me to. Now I don’t look again in anger, do you?” twice all through the observe. It have to be tough as an actor and musical artist to have to decide on between your craft and your relationships. On this music, he expresses the need of getting made the choice to “fly,” but additionally implies a small trace of regretful doubt each time he sings, “do you?”
Ashley Littlefield: Songs like “Lonesome Is A State of Thoughts,” and “Fly” maintain a heartfelt craving to be some place else apart from the place he predominantly stood within the current second or the place he noticed himself most days, being bodily unavailable to family and friends, but removed from being emotionally tethered and stored from the center he has to share with these away from him.
Dimitra Gurduiala: You possibly can undoubtedly really feel Keery’s struggles via the entire album, particularly with “Lonesome Is A State Of Thoughts” and “Egg,” the place he wonders concerning the idea of id, concern and being perceived from the skin. This one’s a private favorite, and in addition probably the most highly effective music on the document for me.
Claire Meyer: To me, it seems like there’s some dissonance between the themes and the tone of the music. On tracks like “Lonesome is a State of Thoughts,” whereas Keery is lamenting about feeling so alone, I’m making an attempt arduous to not dance. The juxtaposition between the lyrics and the instrumentation make the document really feel a bit untethered to actuality to me, reflecting how Keery felt about himself throughout this time. The goofiness and lightheartedness of tracks like “Primary Being Primary” and “Delete Ya” additionally play into that whereas nonetheless making an attempt to get on the crux of his relationships with these round him.
Which music(s) stand out for you on the album, and why?
Miranda Urbanczyk: “Fly” instantly struck a chord with its bittersweet storytelling of therapeutic. A course of that Keery selected to clarify as “flying away,” an try to rise above the harm within the midst of reflection on the previous. “Falling again to her // Might be simple to do” “However I have to fly // Fly away from her.” As a substitute of wallowing in resentment, Keery used his lyrics to encourage listeners to take the excessive highway and “fly away.”
Anu Sarode: I just like the final music of the album, “Crux.” It’s a really efficient nearer, and has an actual sense of hope.
Olivia Martinez: As a fan of The Beatles, I used to be immediately obsessive about “Charlie’s Backyard,” which is clearly impressed, at the very least partly, by that basic McCartney type. I want extra music gave the impression of this! I like the telephonic bit, inserted between the primary refrain and second verse. The playful change in tempo hooked me instantly, as effectively. Lyrically, I recognize the reference to “Charlie’s Backyard” and “Delete Ya,” by which Keery at one level sings “group up with Charlie, take these youngsters for a journey.” I consider each of those moments discuss with his friendship with Charlie Heaton from Stranger Issues, which is a candy and amusing element.
Ashley Littlefield: “Lonesome Is A State of Thoughts” lyrically, for me, visually units a scene of solitude via the road, “I’ve shot this image earlier than.” It’s about discovering readability via quiet moments, even when it could appear we’re alone, however in actuality, it’s a frame of mind. One other standalone observe that carries a gorgeous acoustic ballad is “Potion.”
Dimitra Gurduiala: As I discussed earlier than, “Egg”‘s considered one of my favorites. I might additionally add “Hyperlink” (particularly for the ultimate half!) and the lovey-dovey “Potion,” I’m a sucker for love songs.
Claire Meyer: “Lonesome is a State of Thoughts” additionally actually caught out for me. It was an effective way to dive proper into the album and provides us a fast rundown on the place Keery was mentally when he began creating this document. “Charlie’s Backyard” additionally jogged my memory of The Beatles, however possibly as a result of I considered “Octopus’s Backyard,” and “Golden Line” additionally felt very Paul McCartney a la Abbey Highway to me, it had a weight to it whereas nonetheless protecting a little bit of brevity. “Fly” additionally stood out to me for the turmoil Djo goes via within the lyrics.
Do you will have any favourite lyrics up to now? Which strains stand out?
Miranda Urbanczyk: “Delete Ya” is stuffed with visualizations and analogies that actually seize the dominating emotions of dependence throughout the observe. Lyrics together with, “I’m locked, she’s the important thing” and “I’m a ship that’s sinking guess who’s the ocean” act as a intelligent strategy to embed feelings thoughtfully all through the music.
Anu Sarode: I’m undecided if this can be a stretch, however there’s a line in Egg: “Again to the egg, it’s crimson and gold” which very a lot caught my ear as a Wings extremely fan — this line reads like a reference to 2 superior albums Paul McCartney put out with the band within the late 70s: Again to the Egg and Venus and Mars. I did hear some Beatlesy moments, like on Charlie’s Backyard.
Olivia Martinez: That is petty, however I like when he disses Vera Bradley in “Primary Being Primary.” There isn’t a deeper motive for this apart from the truth that I actually hate Vera Bradley.
Ashley Littlefield: “I take a stroll in Hollywood” in “Delete Ya.” I’ve an infatuation with metropolis streets in Los Angeles, particularly the fondest of recollections in Hollywood. There have been loads of days after I’ve mirrored on what it means to develop, however with out understanding the place you’ve been via the method of development, you must expertise transferring via the feelings tied to particular locations.
Dimitra Gurduiala: “My future’s not what I believed / I believe I believed it mistaken” from “Lonesome Is A State Of Thoughts” hit fairly near house. We reside in unsure and scary instances, stuffed with expectations so low that generally any little mistake seems prefer it may result in a disaster – particularly if you happen to’re fairly melodramatic like me. What’s the way in which out of this terrible feeling? Tacky as it could sound, sure, for me it’s love. And that’s why considered one of my favorite lyrics from The Crux can also be “Life can carry you down / The world will be so merciless / However I nonetheless belief in love,” from “Golden Line.”
Claire Meyer: “Falling again to her / Might be simple to do / However I have to fly / Fly away from her” and “I’m packin’ up my issues once more / When will the motion finish? / This chapter is thru” actually caught my consideration whereas listening. Each strains are from “Fly,” the place Djo grapples with wanting to maneuver on whereas nonetheless trying again at previous relationships. They each spotlight the expansion he was going via on the time, and the change mandatory to maneuver ahead.
The place do you are feeling The Crux sits within the pantheon of Djo’s discography?
Miranda Urbanczyk: If I needed to rank his three albums, The Crux would are available second place. Twenty Twenty will perpetually really feel iconic to me, it was Keery’s first LP below Djo, and in addition the rationale I fell in love along with his music. DECIDE has some hits, and contains my favourite Djo music, “Change.” Nevertheless, I discover myself gravitating in direction of Twenty Twenty or The Crux most frequently.
Anu Sarode: It’s undoubtedly up there with the highest. Djo did one thing particular with this album.
Olivia Martinez: I get the sense that Djo didn’t essentially count on his music to be so profitable on prime of the already main success of his performing profession. The Crux seems like an admission that he has outgrown his days as a small indie artist and wish to take the chance of his virality to place some actually assured, enjoyable, and wacky music into the world. I hope he continues this surge of boldness along with his future releases!
Ashley Littlefield: The Crux, as a brand new listener, is a reflective work that enables listeners to resonate and deal with the uncertainty introduced of their lives, shifting their mindset. The album options added curiosity with melodic parts, a lyrically narrative strategy, and a poetic composition that authentically explores the trail to interior reality.
Dimitra Gurduiala: I’d place it on the highest, for certain. It’s introspective, it’s assured, it’s younger and but mature. For now, probably the most full document amongst his.
Claire Meyer: I might additionally place The Crux on the prime of the Djo pantheon. I believe it exhibits development from each Djo and Joe. It feels very true to Keery as an individual, whereas nonetheless remaining Djo as a musical act. It’s contemporary whereas remaining paying homage to the place Djo got here from sonically and his prior releases.
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Watch: “Delete Ya” – Djo
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