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I knew Djo as an actor before I knew him as a musician. Djo, also known as Joe Keery, initially rose to fame for his role as Steve Harrington in the extremely popular TV series “Stranger Things.” I have been a fan of the show for many years, but I wasn’t aware of Keery’s music until more recently. 

Djo is a music artist classified in the indie-pop, synth-pop, and psychedelia genres. When I listen to Djo, I feel as though I’m being transported to a different world. Each song has its own individual sound and expertly immerses the listener in the storyline/ feeling of the song. 

I rave about Djo often, but I wanted to shed some light on his 2025 album “The Crux.” “The Crux” is a well-crafted project that has a very diverse sound while simultaneously being very cohesive. The album is a great representation of Djo’s abilities as an artist, and it deserves to be revisited. 

Some of my favorite songs from “The Crux” by Djo include “Basic Being Basic,” “Link,” “Potion,” “Delete Ya,” “Charlie’s Garden,” and “Gap Tooth Smile.”

Starting with “Basic Being Basic,” the song got popular for its synth-heavy and upbeat sound. That, combined with Djo’s frank lyrics, makes the song extremely catchy. Based on the beat alone, I found myself playing the song on repeat. 

“Basic Being Basic” is about looking into the habits of society and noticing its pattern of unoriginality. Djo states what he’s noticing as well as how he doesn’t want to be “basic.” He does so in a straightforward manner that catches the listener’s attention. 

I liked this song because being authentic and original is a value I hold strongly. My favorite line from “Basic Being Basic” by Djo is “What an empty epitaph that is (that’s basic).”

Moving on to “Link,” this song feels more akin to the rock genre. This is due to the focus on the electric guitar elements incorporated in the beat. It reminds me of what the rock genre was like in the 80’s. 

My main reason for liking “Link” is the theme behind it. Djo sings about doing things the right way, but still feeling as though something is missing. He uses the metaphor of a chain link trying to break free, similar to how one can break away from the mold. 

“Link” really resonated with me in that way because I don’t like the notion of being a follower. My favorite line from “Link” by Djo is “I got a feelin’ that a break is gonna happen, maybe right now, right now.” 

Next on my list is “Potion.” Similar to “Basic Being Basic,” I simply couldn’t get enough of this song. “Potion” is a softer ballad, with the acoustic guitar heavily emphasized throughout the song. The gentle tone in which Djo sings perfectly fits the message of the song. 

“Potion” is about never giving up on finding love despite the trials and tribulations. The song as a whole is very tender and heartfelt, which makes it easy to relate to. There’s a comforting nature in knowing someone else feels the same way you do. 

My favorite line from “Potion” by Djo is “I’ll try, for all of my life, just to find someone who leaves on the light for me.” 

Similar to “Potion,” “Delete Ya” is one of the slower songs on the album. However, the beat revolves more around bass and drum elements. With that, the song is better classified as indie. “Delete Ya” is very smooth in both the way Djo sings and the natural progression of the beat. 

“Delete Ya” is about wanting to forget that one person because no one else could ever compare to them. The song is an outpour of emotions, which I love. 

My favorite line from “Delete Ya” by Djo is “I’m locked, she’s the key, I’m a boat that’s sinking, guess who’s the sea.” 

Next is “Charlie’s Garden.” This song, at its core, is joyful. The beat is very bright and poppy. Djo added a couple of different components into “Charlie’s Garden” that make the song feel refreshing. Some of these include fun synths, a trumpet solo, and lively piano chords. 

Not only is the beat in “Charlie’s Garden” radiant, but the theme is too. The entire song is about Charlie Heaton, Djo’s friend and former co-star. Djo would often hang out in Heaton’s garden, hence the title. Heaton even has his own speaking part in the song. The base theme, being friendship, is really sweet and made me love the song all the more. 

My favorite line from “Charlie’s Garden” by Djo is “One more day in Charlie’s garden, oh.”

Last on this list is “Gap Tooth Smile.” “Gap Tooth Smile” is the essence of 80’s rock, even more so than “Link.” Everything from the electric guitar to Djo’s voice reminds me of the notorious Freddie Mercury. It makes the song incredibly nostalgic and easy to jam to.

“Gap Tooth Smile” is all about loving someone for who they truly are and cherishing them. Djo paired such a passionate message with an intense sound, and it works wonderfully. 

My favorite line from “Gap Tooth Smile” by Djo is “Freddie said it right, ‘cause she’s my killer queen, and I tell her all the time, yeah.” 

Overall, I truly love “The Crux” because it feels as though the audience gets to know Djo personally through such creatively curated tracks. Each song has something to say, and I love meaningful music.

5/5 Spinnaker Sailboats

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