You probably remember hearing the song “End of Beginning” on your Instagram and TikTok feed back in 2024. This viral tune, which even placed on the top charts, was only the beginning for American musician and actor Joe Keery, better known by his alias, Djo.
Best known for his role as Steve Harrington in the Netflix original series “Stranger Things”, one thing is for sure—Steve rocks great hair and somehow always has a bat in his hands. Debuting his acting career in 2016, Joe Keery initially played a secondary ‘bad boy’ character, but over the past four seasons, Keery has now become a fan-favorite of the show.
Keery’s rise as an actor didn’t just make him a familiar face—it paved the way to a bigger spotlight for his music. When fans connected that the “Stranger Things” actor makes music, and that the popular “End of Beginning” was his song, a whole new audience discovered that Joe Keery does it all.
His popularity jumped even higher when he appeared in the music video for “Loser” by Tame Impala—one of the most well-known names in modern psychedelic rock and a notable influence in his music. Seeing them on the same screen signaled that his music persona was earning much-deserved respect.
His first album, “Twenty Twenty,” jumped straight into psychedelic rock with an electronic and dreamy feel. Then “DECIDE” was filled with metallic synths, electronic beats, and a strong groove. The third album, “The Crux,” takes bits of the past—’70s and ’80s retro sounds, funky bass, and acoustic layers—and mixes them with modern indie psychedelia to create songs that feel nostalgic but excitingly new.
Djo takes inspiration from some of the biggest names in rock and psychedelia. You can hear the whispers of Pink Floyd’s dreamy, rock sound, The Beatles’ unclassifiable sound, Talking Heads’ funky and energetic style and Tame Impala’s indie psychedelic vibe. These influences don’t overpower his music—they give you a familiar sound while reshaping it into a range of his authentic and raw passion.
When no one expected it, Djo surprised everyone and released his second album of 2025 “The Crux Deluxe,” with 12 new tracks. Some may say that it is an extension of the first album, but some even say that it can be considered a whole new project.
Across both records, Djo leans into intelligent self-reflection. He wrestles with loneliness, identity, upbeat love, and the sting of heartbreak, especially in “The Crux”.
When I first listened to “The Crux” album, I was very much in awe. No album has made me feel so relaxed yet nostalgic for the flow of experimental variety it carried. I can say the same with “The Crux Deluxe,” which stirred something more inside of me. Some songs started oddly, but if you want to expand your taste in music, you have to give the song a chance to develop into an awesome masterpiece. Together, the albums show how his sound mirrors the vulnerability of life itself: chaotic, gorgeous, and deeply human.
In “Lonesome Is A State of Mind,” it hints at its theme in the title, contrasting a soft, playful sound with heavier lyrics: “Yeah, the future’s over, don’t drag me anymore, I’m done / Thought you were on my side,” as Keery faces isolation and uncertainty. Later, “Fly” leans into hazy psychedelia, with the line: “Fallin’ back to her / Sounds so easy to me / But I must fly / Fly away from her,” capturing his need to move on. The last track, “Crux,” is a bittersweet yet emotional song; its line: “Get back to your heart / But only if you give it back,” recaps the journey from his most meaningful emotional dwellings.
At this point, Joe Keery shouldn’t just be remembered as “just the guy from Stranger Things”—his music stands on its own. Rather than leaning on his celebrity, he’s earning his place among artists who’ve built credibility beyond their acting careers through his music. That is the magic about a creative mind—it has a way to explore the unknown and unique sounds of one’s own complicated yet normal world. The storytelling, the production, the lyrics, the sound, the cohesiveness of it all—every track has Djo’s own personality.
He may still be better known for his screen work, but that fame also meant more people discovered Djo early and were eager to hear what he would release next. Listen to his latest albums. There will be some songs that are catchier than others, and there will be some that might not be—don’t let “End of Beginning” be the only song you tie to him.
