Djo’s new album is at “The Crux” of success

The Crux—the highly anticipated new album from Djo, set for release on April 4^th—is the next page in Joe Keery’s sonic journal. Fresh off the heels of global recognition from his song “End of Beginning”, The Crux continues to build on Keery’s gritty, authentic sound cultivated on his first two albums, elevated by more sophisticated production. A perfect blend of honesty and playfulness, his lyrics reflect on the changes and challenges of young adulthood that ultimately guide him toward self-resilience and a deeper sense of community in this next phase of life. The unique, candid, and undeniably catchy songs on The Crux promise to keep Djo on the path to continued success.

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, Keery expertly incorporates the punchy, eclectic, and theatrical sound of 1970s prog rock into his already experimental, synth-driven style. He and co-producer Adam Thein introduce choral arrangements, saxophone, trumpet, and innovative song structures that push the boundaries of alt-pop, adding another layer of depth to Djo’s sound.

Leading the album’s rollout, “Basic Being Basic” has already captured fans’ attention. With expressive vocals, Keery delivers a tongue-in-cheek commentary on straddling the line of authenticity and fabrication. Using imagery and slang relatable to young people (especially those online), he brings to light how our digital personas are often an intersection of portrayal and over-curation. Infectious synths and a groovy bassline guide this lighthearted denouncement of the impact this has on our real-world personalities, opinions, and decisions.

At the heart of Keery’s music lies catharsis, and The Crux’s opening track, “Lonesome Is A State of Mind,” showcases his gift for transforming real, raw emotions into infectious pop anthems. This song has the potential to become the next “End of Beginning”—a track slightly left of the Top 40 while still hitting listeners’ sweet spot. Lyrically, it tackles the concept of solitude without loneliness and embraces the idea of being comfortable in your own company. As the album unfolds, Keery continues to share his life lessons, with some tracks taking on an acoustic, reflective tone like “Fly,” while others, like “Basic Being Basic,” offer a more reactionary, energetic look at the journey of self-discovery.

Working as an actor and traveling frequently, Keery wrote The Crux over a period of two years. He strings together personal experiences of young adulthood, focusing on the crossroads that arise from this period of life. The relatability of Djo’s lyrics make his songs both addicting and comforting, while his musical experimentation offers a pleasantly surprising twist for listeners. Themes of moving to new places, leaving the old behind, falling in love, heartbreak, loneliness, and the importance of community surface throughout the album’s toe-tapping (and occasionally melancholic) melodies. The Crux arrives on April 4th, offering a musical journey that’s both familiar and fresh, grounded in finding authenticity and laughter during life’s ups and downs.

Cover photo by Neil Krug

Upcoming tour dates:

*All North American, UK and EU tour dates w/ Post Animal

April 05 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall **SOLD OUT
April 07 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum *LOW TICKET WARNING
April 08 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre **SOLD OUT
April 10 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater **SOLD OUT
April 11 – Indio, CA – Coachella
April 15 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater Pomona **SOLD OUT
April 16 – Del Mar, CA – The Sound at Del Mar **SOLD OUT
April 18 – Indio, CA – Coachella
April 19 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren **SOLD OUT
April 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at the Complex **SOLD OUT
April 23 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom **SOLD OUT
April 25 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee **SOLD OUT
April 26 – Saint Paul, MN – Palace Theatre **SOLD OUT
April 28 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre  **SOLD OUT
April 29 – Toronto, ON – History **SOLD OUT
May 01 – Washington, DC – The Anthem **SOLD OUT
May 02 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner **SOLD OUT
May 03 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall **SOLD OUT
May 05 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel **SOLD OUT
May 06 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel **SOLD OUT
May 07 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel **SOLD OUT
June 01 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia **SOLD OUT
June 02 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy **SOLD OUT
June 03 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse **SOLD OUT
June 05 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town **SOLD OUT
June 06 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town **SOLD OUT
June 07 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town **SOLD OUT
June 10 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Poolen **LOW TICKET WARNING
June 11 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene **LOW TICKET WARNING
June 13 – Stockholm, Sweden – Annexet **LOW TICKET WARNING
June 15 – Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands – Best Kept Secret Festival
June 16 – Cologne, Germany – E-Werk ***SOLD OUT
June 17 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys **SOLD OUT
June 18 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja **LOW TICKET WARNING
June 20 – Scheebel, Germany – Hurricane Festival
June 21 – Tuttlingen, Germany – Southside Festival
June 23 – Paris, France –  Élysée Montmartre **SOLD OUT
June 24 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso **SOLD OUT
June 25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso **SOLD OUT
June 27 – Cardiff, Wales – Blackweir Fields (w/ Noah Kahan)
June 29 – Pilton, UK – Glastonbury Festival
July 01 – Dublin, IE – Marlay Park (w/ Noah Kahan)
August 01 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza Festival