The Long Awaited Return of Joe Keery is Here, The Crux due out April 4th
Words by Matt Keenan
What do Joe Keery and oxygen have in common? Well, we need both of them to live. Keery is back with his musical project Djo to announce his long awaited new record, The Crux. The new record is set to be released April 4th on AWAL. Djo released DECIDE in 2022, which featured the immensely popular hit "End of Beginning,” and ever since fans have been awaiting a triumphant return from the effortlessly talented and creative Joe Keery and Djo.
To hold you over until the release of the new record, Djo has released the first single “Basic Being Basic.” With its Oberheim OB-X8 synths and falsetto refrain, its final verses shrewdly skewer the (often online) tropes of modern day posturing. “It’s kind of a shot fired to anyone who's trying to be of the moment,” says Keery.
You can check out the official lyric video for the new single below.
The Crux was co-produced by Keery and his long-time collaborator Adam Thein. Unlike Keery’s previous albums, which were primarily centered around synths - The Crux spotlights lush guitars and instrumentation reminiscent of late 60’s and 70’s pop. It's a project full of loss and yearning, but also one full of wit and gratitude. While making the album, Keery settled into the legendary Electric Lady Studios, in his adopted home of New York City. The Crux not only showcases his ambitious scope, but also his skills as a deft multi-instrumentalist and songwriter (all songs were written by Keery or in collaboration with Adam Thein).
What begins as a meditation on the dissolution of a relationship winds its way back to self-resilience, and a celebration and recognition of the importance of nurturing community. These themes are reflected in both his lyrics and in the collaborative spirit of the music, with contributions from his family and lifelong friends lending the album a warm energy mirroring the bonds at the record’s core.
Djo has also announced a major 2025 global tour. The Djo - Back On You Tour will feature Post Animal as support on all North American, UK and EU tour dates. In addition to his previously announced appearance on Australia and New Zealand’s Laneway Festival in February, he’ll embark on a North American, UK and European tour throughout the year. The North American dates kick off in Portland, OR at Revolution Hall on April 4th and conclude with a two-night stint at Brooklyn Steel in New York City on May 5th and 6th. He’ll begin the UK and European dates in Dublin, Ireland on June 1st. Highlights include appearances at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Best Kept Secret Festival, Hurricane Festival and Southside Festival with more dates to be announced soon.
You can find the tour poster below, and be sure to listen to “Back Being Basic” wherever you listen to music now.
