Until recently, Joe Keery was best known for portraying lovable jock Steve Harrington in the global Netflix hit Stranger Things. Lately, though, he’s changed that perception by finding success in the music world as Djo. In March, a Brit Award nomination came for hazy online sleeper hit End of Beginning and, in May, his third studio album ‘The Crux’ arrived to critical acclaim. Now, he’s re-upped that record with a deluxe edition that is, essentially, a whole new record.
As is often the case with such a short gap between records, the temptation to question why these songs didn’t make the cut earlier is strong. But Keery answers it confidently by being at the top of his game once more — the harmonies are accomplished, mature and intimate, still playful at points and, most importantly, carrying a deep infectiousness.
There’s a lovely mix of ‘60s psych pop and ‘70s glam-rock inspiration throughout, with pronounced influence drawn from Wings, David Bowie and Television and common ground existing between these songs and recent work by Keery’s vintage rock contemporaries The Lemon Twigs and Declan McKenna.
An understated, breezy pop vibe surrounds the record’s opening half. Carry The Name matches jaunty pianos with lovelorn lyricism and a general ‘Abbey Road’-era Beatles feel, while the wistful It’s Over is a gorgeous slice of Scott Walker-esque baroque pop.
But it’s really the second half where the album fully comes to life. Blues-rock bop Try Me contrasts Keery’s smooth vocals with dirty psych-rock guitars, while the acoustics on Thich Nhat Hanh are pretty and Led Zeppelin-esque. Better yet, Grime of the World stands out with propulsive riffs and driving percussion.
Awake ends the album with a left turn as Keery channels the quiet emotive power of Nirvana’s Something in the Way, building to a crescendo of grungey guitars and pounding percussion for a magnificent closer. With Stranger Things ending shortly, perhaps Keery will now make music a full-time thing. More of this, please.
Djo Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed September 24 2025 - ROCHESTER New York - Rochester Institute Of Technology - Gordon Field House (USA)
Sat September 27 2025 - NEW HAVEN Connecticut - College Street Music Hall (USA)
Tue September 30 2025 - ASHEVILLE North Carolina - Asheville Yards (USA)
Wed October 01 2025 - ATLANTA Georgia - Coca-Cola Roxy (USA)
Thu October 02 2025 - NASHVILLE Tennessee - Pinnacle at Nashville Yards (Concert Venue) (USA)
Sat October 04 2025 - AUSTIN Texas - Zilker Park (USA)
Sun October 05 2025 - HOUSTON Texas - White Oak Music Hall Lawn (USA)
Tue October 07 2025 - KANSAS CITY Missouri - Grinders - KC (USA)
Thu October 09 2025 - IRVING - Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (USA)
Fri October 10 2025 - AUSTIN Texas - Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (USA)
Sat October 11 2025 - AUSTIN Texas - Zilker Park (USA)
Mon October 13 2025 - OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma - Criterion Theater - Oklahoma City (USA)
Wed October 15 2025 - PHOENIX Arizona - Arizona Financial Theatre (USA)
Fri October 17 2025 - SACRAMENTO California - Channel 24 (USA)
Sat October 18 2025 - BERKELEY California - Greek Theatre Berkeley at Cal Performances - Complex (USA)
Mon October 20 2025 - LOS ANGELES California - Greek Theatre Los Angeles (USA)
Tue October 21 2025 - LOS ANGELES California - Greek Theatre Los Angeles (USA)
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