Switched on Pop The architecture of the album with Djo (Joe Keery live at NYU)
Sep 15, 2025
Joe Keery, famed for his role in Stranger Things, brings his musical prowess to the forefront with his project, Djo. He discusses the creative evolution of his album, The Crux, sharing how personal experiences and practical constraints shaped its unique sound. The conversation dives into themes of authenticity and emotional depth, particularly in tracks like 'Lonesome' and 'Charlie's Garden.' Keery reveals the album's hotel metaphor, representing a search for stability amid life’s displacements, all while engaging listeners with eclectic influences and heartfelt storytelling.
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Album As Hotel Metaphor
- Joe Keery frames The Crux as a cohesive 'hotel' representing displacement and crossroads in his life.
- The album's structure mirrors real movement between places and relationships, not just a marketing concept.
Opening Line As Domestic Anchor
- The record opens with the plainspoken line, "My dog is at my house again, but I live somewhere else."
- That domestic detail signals literal displacement and emotional lonesomeness in Joe's life.
Plain Lyrics, Big Emotional Arc
- Joe uses simple, matter-of-fact lyrics inspired by Paul McCartney to let listeners interpret emotional detail.
- The song moves from quiet verse to bombastic outro, reflecting healing and progression.
