jacobojm

DECIDE

Djo (2022)

7.2/ 10

“I was there as a Djo-nas brother from day one! I remember when his first single Roddy dropped in 2019, and I remember putting the puzzle pieces together that Djo was in fact the actor for my favorite character from Stranger Things. Did that subconsciously impact how much I liked his music, maybe? But I think Joe Keery stands on his own as a musical artist. Afterall, this isn’t even his first project (shoutout Post Animal). After the success of his debut, Twenty Twenty, I eagerly awaited the sophomore album and when that moment finally arrived, it lived up to the hype. I was on a trip with friends in Denver, sitting in a makeshift AirBnB in our host's basement. I packed my good headphones just to be able to stream the album on release. So there I was, on the bed in a dark, musty smelling basement ready to rock n roll. While his debut album was sonically all over the place, DECIDE brought cohesion in sound and in theme. The album is fueled by layered synths and some bumping bass. Each song slides into the next rather seamlessly, building momentum with each track, making the most of the 35 minute runtime. Djo is not subtle in his messaging, getting introspective and reflecting on ideas of change on an individual level and societal change and its relationship to technology. Runner grapples with the idea that people never change, but one has to try - a thought that comes to a head in the song Change as the metamorphosis takes place. I can’t talk about the album without talking about End of Beginning, the song that skyrocketed Djo in popularity. The song stands out amongst the rest of the album sonically, and I think that’s part of what led it to stick with audiences. It’s the album taking a breath and encouraging the listener to do the same. Taking those themes of change and holding your hand as you recognize what's taking place. Returning to a familiar place that you’ve loved and realizing that it’s not “Chicago” that’s changed…it’s you. And that’s okay. The other major message on media consumption and the hold that the algorithm has on us has only aged better with time. As Go For It states “communication breaks, then trust starts to fade.” What was relevant in 2022 is even more relevant in 2026, as the rise of AI and questioning what’s real takes hold. Movements to disconnect from the algorithm and touch grass become more popular. I myself decided to go for it and deleted social media apps from my phone so that I can choose when to engage with it rather than habitually and mindlessly opening an app to doomscroll. Djo welcomes us to decide how to proceed - concede with the times or dare to make a change. Overall, Djo takes some swings and hits homeruns (Change, End of Beginning, Slither) and other times he strikes out (I Want Your Video, On and On). It was still one of my favorite releases of 2022 and something I return to often. A “great hang” as Pitchfork put it. Favorite Tracks: End of Beginning Change Gloom Slither”