From all over the world, Djo fans have been patiently waiting for the drop of his new album, “The Crux,” released on April 4. For those who are unfamiliar with Djo, they may recognize him from one of his most popular songs, “End of Beginning,” which was trending on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and helped his music career skyrocket.
Outside of Djo’s singing career, he is known as American actor Joe Keery. In his singing career, it’s hard to disassociate himself from the identity of “Steve” from the hit Netflix series, “Stranger Things.” Since this title is closely tied to his acting career, he took on the stage name “Djo” in an effort to separate his work.
While Djo continues to explore a retro theme and familiar 80s-inspired sound, this new album greatly differs from his last. “The Crux” explores new central themes about identity, self-reflection, loneliness and transformation while interconnecting them with each track. His previous albums, “Twenty-Twenty” and “DECIDE” focus on themes of navigating and self-discovery rather than loneliness, but are equally reflective and share a sense of emotional depth.
Quinn Hudson, a Djo fan and Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) student said, “I think Djo’s music was very thought-provoking and had very deep themes, and he explored a very light tone throughout the album.”
Throughout “The Crux,” Djo explores a new wave sound. New wave is a music subgenre that evolved from punk rock and blends punk rock, pop and electronic music to form a quirky, upbeat sound. Djo blends new wave and his familiar 80s theme to make something that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
Each song throughout the album is unique and inspires a new perspective. His most played songs throughout the album are “Basic Being Basic” with over 23 million plays, “Delete Ya” with over 14 million and “Potion” with over 7 million plays on Spotify. “Basic Being Basic” plays with authenticity and self-acceptance, with lyrics that aim to highlight coming to terms with your past, and enjoying the little things in life.
Izzy Vosper, another listener from HBHS, said, “I think ‘Basic Being Basic,’ their lead single, has a very similar sound to ‘DECIDE,’ their past album, but I really liked the 80s rock sort of sound.”
“The Crux” has been a captivating addition to Djo’s music, offering his listeners relatable themes, all while keeping a familiar and retro 80s sound. His progress and growth as a singer continues to inspire many and highlights his musical talent.
