By Kourtney Gierke, Staff Writer

[AWAL; 2025]

Rating: 6/10

Key Tracks: “Potion,” “The Crux,” “Egg”

Built on chaotic imagery and an upbeat indie sound, Djo’s third album The Crux screams eccentric authenticity. Djo – the alias of actor and musician Joe Keery – keeps evolving and getting better with each record, but the ideas and lyrics do not. The Crux was promised to be a concept album of a hotel with guests all at different crossroads (or cruxes) of their lives. It’s a great concept, and the album’s maximalist cover of Keery hanging out of a window really exemplifies this theme. The problem? You can’t get that concept from 90% of the lyrics. Don’t get me wrong, most of the songs on this album are great and even some of Djo’s best work, but by promising something larger than what you actually made will inevitably lead listeners to disappointment.

Production is undeniably great on this album. Djo does a great job of seamlessly blending electronic music with acoustic guitars and pianos into a cohesive indie rock genre. A children’s choir opening “Back on You” and an ethereal orchestral accompaniment in the back of “Golden Line,” evolves the album by incorporating unique sonic elements into his already established sound. He goes further with enveloping acoustic elements, adding more authenticity to his music.

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For being the lead singles, “Basic Being Basic” and “Delete Ya” are the most lackluster and empty tracks on the album. “Basic Being Basic” is like a CAKE meets LCD Soundtrack parody, mocking basic people who are obsessed with looks and are scared of being basic. If it were a bit more creative, the message could’ve come across better, but it remains as just a “cool different indie bro” making fun of girls just like him. At least “Delete Ya” has a bit more substance and some catchy lines, but nothing too memorable. Both tracks are…basic.

“Potion,” on the other hand, is distinct from Djo’s typical sound. He’s established an electronic indie rock sound in his past two albums, but “Potion” reels it back to a sweet acoustic love song. Lyrically, this is one of his best tracks, comparing himself looking for love to a witch needing their potion. The refrain sings that he will try all his life to find someone who leaves on the light for him, showing that all he really desires in love is to be understood and cared for.

One of the strongest songs on The Crux is “Egg.” For such an enigmatic title, “Egg” matches perfectly to the album’s expectations. The song opens up with imagery of a dark night downtown and walking by a stranger as Djo wonders if he could be somebody else. The song grows in intensity with shriek-like sounds and increasingly loud drums as he wonders if he’ll let fear take him. “Egg” is the perfect soundtrack to a late night existential crisis drive, metaphorically describing conforming back into the “crimson and gold” shell of who he used to be. 

Where “Link” describes the emptiness someone feels after graduating top of their class, and “Lonesome Is A State of Mind” shifts the perspective on the dread of feeling alone, the mold of exploring different perspectives from people’s lives start to show. In other tracks, such as “Back On You” and “Charlie’s Garden” we see Keery explore his own personal relationships with his friends and siblings, even if it may seem corny and superficial at times. Connection is a key theme throughout the album, and something that Djo is quite dependent on, whether it be romance, friendship, or family. This leads to Keery’s own personal crux, which concludes the album.

Djo starts “Crux” with the line “There’s a crux to everything” as he explains his own: “The connection is real / And I live for the rush / Let it out from inside me / Get it back to your heart.” The piano reprises the previous track “Golden Line,” about still believing in love. Despite the album lacking in the core concept at times, The Crux beautifully sums up the album.

Imperfect at times? Yes. Still a great sounding, unique album? Also yes. It’s clear Djo has great ideas that just need to be fleshed out better before release. All we can hope for is an even better release next time.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/1xQGeKOIMZrPBUlDJuqZGQ?si=832iIqP4RlO65hP6cfkBPg