Joe Keery is a jack of all trades — many might recognize him as Steve Harrington from Netflix’s “Stranger Things” — but others know him as “Djo,” the actor’s psychedelic musician alter-ego. Djo’s first album “Twenty Twenty’’ made a mark on the neo-psychedelic rock scene in 2019 and his second album “Decide,” released on Sept. 19 this year, was long-awaited. Keery was part of Chicago band Post Animal before embarking on his journey as a solo musician, and while he still keeps his rockin’ roots on “Decide,” Djo’s synth sounds mixes the harsher side of psych-rock with ‘80s new wave alternative pop inspired beats. There is something more serious and instrumentally mature about this record, as compared to his older tunes — “Decide” is undeniably a game-changing piece of artistry in the grander world of melodic psychedelia. Djo’s haunting and unsettling tunes “Is that all it takes’’ and “Slither” — which emulate bad trips — balance well with the more danceable, groovy and euphoric beats featured in “Gloom,” “I want your video” and “Runner.” The artist’s lyrics are overwhelmingly idiosyncratic, as he combines hallucinogenic writing that shines through bursts of synthwave energy. Djo includes personal storytelling with playful notes that repeat strings of lyrics for emphasis as he philosophically questions the state of the world, his memories, his life and his inhibitions. Each song transitions beautifully from one to the other, so listening to “Decide” feels like a single 36 minute long song. For those who enjoy artists from The Doors to Tame Impala or King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Djo is the perfect love child between the original era of emerging psych-rock and contemporary sound-experimentalism.
Live Events Schedule:
Oct. 2: My Chemical Romance with Youth Code and Taking Back Sunday, Moda Center
Oct. 2: Julia Jacklin and Katy Kirby, Revolution Hall
Oct. 3: Eloise and Sophia James, Polaris Hall
Oct. 4: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Roseland Theater
Oct. 7: Florence + The Machine and Japanese Breakfast, Moda Center
Oct. 12: Luna Li, Doug Fir Lounge
Oct. 14: Superorganism, Wonder Ballroom
Oct. 20: Alvvays and Slow Pulp, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
Oct. 21: Dayglow and Ritt Momney, Roseland Theater
Oct. 22: King Princess, Roseland Theater
Oct. 31: Allen Stone, Doug Fir Lounge
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.