Some may know Joe Keery, and most will know Steve Harrington, the 80s heartthrob, bully-turned-babysitter from ‘Stranger Things’, but he’s much more than a baseball bat full of nails and End of Beginning.
The Crux is the third studio album by Joe Keery, under his musical alias, Djo, It was released independently under AWAL on April 4, 2025, and served as the follow-up to his previous album, Decide (2022), which features breakout hit End of Beginning, which is currently sitting in the number one spot on the streaming charts. Keery co-produced The Crux with his frequent collaborator Adam Thein at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
The Crux deluxe, the expansion to The Crux, was later released on September 13, 2025. The album was released to favorable reviews from music critics, praising the vivid soundscape and cohesive storyline created by Keery, through the motifs within the album itself, and its promotional materials, such as its vivid album cover depicting the fictional Crux Hotel and the concierge, a mouse named Jack.
The title of the album is fitting for Keery, as the term “crux” generally refers to the most crucial, central point of an issue, and in this context, it reflects his focus on self-discovery and addressing the existential “human struggle” of balancing the past and future, notes NME.
Here is The Hoofprints review of a few highlights from the deluxe album:
Carry The Name
A mellow soundscape theorized to be inspired by Keery’s relationship with his character, Steve Harrington, and his identity intertwining with his throughout the years. Mirrors many motifs from other songs on the album, as it was originally cut and reworked to fit onto the deluxe.
Is it all the same? / To carry your name / That’s not that bad / For another day / I carry your name
★★★★☆
Purgatory Silverstar
At first, you think the song will be another slow tune, until it picks up pace and Djo finds his signature absurdist lyricism and rhythm. It’s a seamless transition, that you don’t even notice until after the song is over and you’re trying to recollect after the emotional whiplash.
This is Purgatory Silverstar / Only me, myself, and radio / Deep space, dеad weight / Body-breaking lonelinеss
★★★★☆
Egg *
A one of a kind demonstration of a standout, introspective, synth-rock epic. Both soaring and gut-wrenching, Egg sees Keery exploring themes of self-actualization and the desire to escape his identity, along with contrasting internal insecurities with outward appearances.
Can one be great? Can one be kind? / When history shows, they’re not intertwined / So what will you choose, your heart or your pride? / Could you really be so self-satisfied?
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Gap Tooth Smile
An upbeat and earnest pop-tune, and is unapologetically playful, capturing love with genuine sincerity. Keery notes of the song, “It’s a song that’s just from the perspective of a person looking at their partner and being like, ‘Oh my god, wow, I am so lucky’”.
Frame up on my baby, she’s my superstar / Big heart, all smile / Come on pretty baby, let’s last a while / 29! 29! 29!
★★★★☆
Back On You
Opening with a choral tune composed by Keery himself, Back On You details the close relationship between him and his three sisters, and the camaraderie between he and his friends through the emotionally resonant track disguised as a simple pop tune, discussing his appreciation for the support system around him, and how he can always lean on them.
Things get hard / You don’t know what to do / Well I’ve got friends / Who never spin the truth / And they can trust in me / Yeah, I’m leaning back on you
★★★★★
Overall: 5 hooves
(Egg will change your life)
