But don’t get it twisted, this isn’t just your bog standard, extended version of an album. Djo has unleashed twelve brand-new songs that flip his original release on its head, offering a grittier and cohesive track list that seamlessly blends together different genres and influences, from 70’s guitar riffs to 80’s synths.
Keery describes the release as a ‘companion piece for ‘The Crux,’ whilst also allowing him to create an "expansion of the world of ‘The Crux’ that stands on its own as a unique body of work" - and that’s exactly what it does.
Kickstarting with opener ‘T. Rex Is Loud’, listeners are immediately greeted with gentle guitars and soft vocals to ground them back into Keery’s world. With that said, it doesn’t take long for things to switch up a gear, and what starts as a subtly captivating and tender melody gradually builds in energy through the introduction of twangy guitars and playful percussion. This concept can be seen repeated throughout the album, almost mirroring the tumultuous process of navigating emotions in real time. With a cathartic close to the track, Djo begs, "Please tell me things get easier". ‘T. Rex Is Loud’ combines all of his strong points and acts as the perfect opener for the album.
‘Love Can’t Break The Spell’ follows on from this perfectly. Entering with a similar warmth of acoustic guitar, soon joined by soothing vocals, it eventually progresses into a dreamy, folk-inspired track that’s perfectly brought to life by harmonica and keys.
There’s often an element of surprise when it comes to Keery’s music. Despite solidifying himself in the indie genre, he’s no stranger to experimentation in his melodies and accompaniments. Whilst his fans know to expect the unexpected, listeners who have only heard the viral ‘End of Beginning’ could be taken by surprise by the third track, ‘Mr. Mounteback’.
It stands out with heavily autotuned vocals and completely electronic makeup, which does leave you wondering if this is the influence of a 2024 'Brat' summer. At just over five minutes, it’s the album’s longest track, and bound to be the most divisive.
Slipping back into familiar territory, ‘Carry The Name’ is a track somewhat reminiscent of ‘Charlie’s Garden’, as seen on ‘The Crux’s’ original release. The fun number combines vintage-style instrumentation with an upbeat chorus that offers a theatrical flair, perfectly brought to a close with a subtly flamboyant finish.
As the midsection of the album approaches, ‘It’s Over’ quickly takes a vulnerable turn, as Keery explores heartbreak and yearning for a past relationship he knows there’s no going back to. Its subtle instrumental makeup feels nostalgic, elevated by shimmery decorations and delicate percussion. Like something straight out of a film soundtrack, you can almost picture it playing during a pivotal break-up scene as rain lashes against the windows.
‘Purgatory Silverstar’ follows on from this nicely, starting slowly with a mysterious allure. Flipping halfway through into what sounds like a completely different song, structurally this song shouldn’t make sense, but somehow it does. ‘Who You Are’ comes after as another one of the album’s more vulnerable and reflective songs that once again swells from a gentle beginning into something bigger.
Coming in with an almost lonely and barren introduction that quickly picks up the pace, is ‘Grime Of The World’. The guitar-driven track packs a punch with a gritty and unfiltered epic feel to it, carried by upbeat percussion and a tight bass. There’s even a few unexpected synth solos for the ultimate epic 80’s atmosphere.
This energy carries over into the following ‘Try Me’, which immediately starts fast-paced with upbeat drums and bass, contrasting sharply with his lyricism exploring heartbreak. As it’s made clear, approaching the end of the album doesn’t mean things are slowing down, and Djo proves this point even further in the next song ‘They Don’t Know What’s Right’.
The penultimate track, ‘Thich Nhat Hanh’ is a dreamy blend of strings and delicate vocals, deepened with a subtle, rich bass in the background. A mix of gentle instrumentation and textures creates an otherworldly atmosphere as Keery sings the lyric ‘the light will never die’. Wrapping things up is ‘Awake’. A haunting start that later transforms into a sudden burst of grunge-filled guitars and drums, the first twelve tracks are brought to a cathartic close.
Taking listeners on a journey through heartbreak, identity, and nostalgia, ‘The Crux Deluxe’ solidifies Djo’s artistry while offering an even deeper understanding of the original album. His original release has been reconstructed into a bold and striking work that’s a perfectly timed autumnal release. The leaves are crunchy, the sun is setting earlier, and 'The Crux Deluxe' is your soundtrack.
Emily McIntyre
@emilym.cintyre
Image: CJ Harvey
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