Singer-songwriter and actor Joe Djo, also known under his stage name Djo, released his third studio album “The Crux” on April 4, 2025. Sonically and lyrically, “The Crux” navigates audiences through a liminal space between painful reminiscence and the embrace of nostalgia. Featuring a wide array of melodies, the album quickly transitions from emulating 90s synth late-night drives to bittersweet discourse with the past. With these twelve new songs, Djo has redefined his music, with an array of differing sounds and themes.
As the album opens with its first track, “Lonesome Is A State of Mind”, the audience is greeted with Djo’s soft vocals alongside a soothing and simplistic acoustic melody. The lyrics follow a young boy with bright prospects for his future, who later finds himself disillusioned by the lonesome, repetitive and cyclical nature of his adult life. Midway through the song, the instrumentals undergo a complete transformation, building up and morphing into an unrecognizable upbeat track. Just as the rhythm switches, the lyricism morphs with it, turning into an optimistic anthem of picking yourself off, brushing yourself off and realigning your life. This strong opening track is Djo’s reflection of the younger versions of himself, looking back at his life and ultimately deciding to better it. A cheerful track, “Lonesome Is A State of Mind” asserts that lonesomeness is just what Djo claims it to be, a state of mind, and change can be made if only one takes initiative to do so.
From the initial beat, “Basic Being Basic” immediately establishes itself as a nostalgic track, championing the use of 90s retro synth in its production. Catchy, with simple lyricism and a monotone delivery, the track initially comes off as a lighthearted judgemental dig at a past lover for being superficial. However, upon further examination, “Basic Being Basic” is a nuanced personal reflection on superficiality, and the idea of seeming ‘basic’ as a prominent figure in the public eye, amalgamating money and fame. The lyrics are recited in the form of a mental spiral, or a continual reeling of thoughts. In a touching sentiment, Djo conveys his longing to live life authentically, dissenting materialism and searching for genuine connections with others. Although the lyrics are straightforward, following a tell-don’t-show philosophy with lines like “I don’t care for money, I don’t care for fame, I don’t want to live a life where that’s my big exchange,” the catchy beat and backtrack make it an enjoyable song nonetheless.
Featuring rhythmic guitar riffs and drum beats, “Link” follows Djo’s apparent success in life, yet highlighting his deep dissatisfaction for the societal norms he has fulfilled. Where Djo has made strides in both his music and acting careers, he still expresses a want to do more with his life and “Break out of the chain” to become a true individual. The track is more upbeat than many of the others on this album, seemingly the ideal backing track for a movie’s dance montage. The hopeful lyrics sync up wonderfully with the song’s sound, offering hope for a better tomorrow.
“Potion” is the most whimsical track on the record, perhaps of Djo’s entire discography. With high-pitched yet soft vocals and gentle acoustic guitar, this song emphasizes Djo’s yearning for a true and deep emotional connection, one untouched by the materialistic ways of the modern world. The feeling that today’s romantic scene has become tainted by fast-paced dating culture is touched upon as Djo sings of wanting security and comfort in a partner, one to stand by him through and through. The third single released on “The Crux”, “Potion” holds great potential to become a fast fan favorite.
Following the success of the track “End of Beginnings” from Djo’s second studio album “Decide”, Djo’s music has become synonymous with moody, nostalgic and reflective tracks fit for late night drives with the windows rolled down. “Delete Ya” is no exception. The track follows Djo as he navigates the complexities of a breakup – the regret, the mourning of the relationship’s potential,and the attempt to forget the past in a world where he is continually reminded of his past lover and life. Featuring lyrics packed with melancholy, the song stays true to Djo’s habit of conveying raw emotion in his tracks.
Djo explores introspection with “Egg” as he sings thoughtfully of insecurity of oneself, highlighted with the lyric, “deep down inside, there’s always that fear that I’m not enough.” The track starts off simple, with only one calm and relaxed voice, but the message of the song is conveyed thoroughly by the last thirty seconds as the instrumentals pick up in volume and the vocals begin to layer themselves. Djo does an excellent job portraying rising anxiety and self-doubt through all aspects of the song.
“Fly” starts off with a 70’s-esque guitar instrumental, similar to the likes of Led Zeppelin. The sweet guitar tapers on and off as the audio switches between soft and loud, both dream-like nonetheless. In this smooth track, Djo faces an internal struggle to leave a relationship in pursuit of a fresh start. There are brief moments of heavy beats that force the listener to resonate with the lyrics, placing us right into his shoes through the song’s sound. While technically the longest song on the album, it leaves the listener wanting more, surprised five minutes went by so quickly. A track about facing the hard realities of life, whether you want to or not, “Fly” is poetically beautiful and mesmerizing.
Reminiscent of the backing of an opening scene to a 2000’s film, “Charlie’s Garden” is an enlightening song about enjoying the simple pleasures in life, and taking time to enjoy them rather than focusing all of your energy on obligations and responsibilities. Featuring multiple faux-voicemails from what seems to be a casting agent, “Charlie’s Garden” reflects the stress Djo undergoes through his acting career and how he finds solace from the negativity of such an intense profession. This track has rightfully earned its place among the most popular of the album, providing the ideal song to play when driving with your friends, feeling the sun on your face and knowing there’s no homework waiting for you at home.
“Gap Tooth Smile” is a love song for the ages; while not of the typical sound of a romantic track, that makes it all the more special. The quirkiness of the vocals and instrumentals reflect the eccentric nature of the girl Djo sings about. Filled with sweet remarks of his love’s smile and style, Djo sings, “That’s my future looking right back at me,” a tenderness that isn’t the usual culprit in his songs. Fans are finally allowed to rejoice and play the track on streaming after months of waiting for its official release after Djo debuted the track live at one of his shows last January. “Gap Tooth Smile” is a uniquely retro song, fit just right for all the self-proclaimed manic pixie dream girls out there to add to their MP3 player playlists.
Containing a mix of both his high-range and low-range vocals, “Golden Line” reflects the love and pride given and received in a relationship. With an array of instruments, the most prominent of which being a simple piano, the lyrics of dedication and passion pair excellently together. One of Djo’s sweetest and most beautiful tracks, “Golden Line” stands out for all the right reasons.
With a variety of heavenly vocals in the background, “Back On You” begins with a chorus that takes the song to another level of music. These transcending church-choir-esque sounds eventually build to a more upbeat rhythm, and Djo includes a solid bass and drum line to match the intense style that the lyrics are shouted in. In response to a crowd-like chant, Djo joins his sisters in singing about the strength of their familial bond. Towards the end of the track, the chorus becomes synonymous with the guitar, blending into a harmonious melody.
In comparison to “Back to You”, “Crux” has a much calmer sound, seemingly pulled straight from a 2010’s romcom soundtrack. Djo employs piano as the main instrumental throughout “Crux”, setting a soft, yet dramatic tone. This song is an amazing ending to “The Crux” as a whole, summarizing the overall album with a flourish. The build up that then descends into a gentle and passionate beat that encompasses everything the record hoped to be and succeeded in becoming.
