slice of lime

SIDE A

‘Lonesome Is A State of Mind’

DJO introduces us to the sound of his third album with a soft and familiar synth sound, but it is quick to move into a different direction than his sophomore album, DECIDE. Keery loves to fill his songs with ear candy, packing every moment with instrumentation that moves his songs forward, and even it its stripped back nature there are tons of twinkles to add into the first track. The chorus continues to be one of my favorites off the album, the lovely detached feeling translated through the vocals. The song captures the feeling of being stuck while healing past the hurt that keeps you stuck. The ending guitar and late 60s airiness moves into bright synth, combining the odes to the past and DJO’s modern touch.
If you like rootbeer candies, the Counting Crows, and need a balm for loneliness then Lonesome Is A State of Mind could be your new favorite song.

‘Basic Being Basic’

The first released single for the album, Basic Being Basic is delightfully cheeky. The themes of exploring self in a modern time, something touched on in both of Keery’s previous albums, continues. He explores self through the efforts people take to perform to those around them. The criticisms of “what an empty epitaph that is” is cheeky without being about the criticisms. He continues to back up his songs with fun synths and thick layers of sound. This song belongs in an arcade, matching with the neon colors against black paint.

‘Link’

Centered around a recent college graduate and packed full of The Strokes energy and guitar tones, Link marks the first song in the track list that made me pause to take in Keery’s growth as an artist. We also begin to see some of the Police influence that he had referenced early in the marketing of The Crux. The guitars layer their edges together with the whiney rock star vocals that Keery takes on for this track. The continuation of ear candy, through police sirens at the end of the song, add to the frantic energy of the song. This song could easily play in headphones while walking around with sunglasses at night, the 80s influence thick.

‘Potion’

Inspired while Keery was learning Travis-picking, the Buckingham vibes are drenched throughout the swirling scape of Potion. A switch to some softer, 60s vocals from Keery continues to show a chameleon ability to create unique songs that convey such specific emotions. The sentiment behind the song is captured well through sound and lyrics, the kaleidoscope of yearning captured in the simple acoustic moments. Potion is perfect for frolicking through a field, laying in dew-damp grass and daydreaming. The third single released for The Crux, it is a beacon of the Beatles inspiration he adds throughout this album.

‘Delete Ya’

While being the most similar to the sounds heard throughout DECIDE, Delete Ya dips into 80s heartbreak and creates something catchy. Keery’s vocals are velvety against the smooth guitar, the choruses adding to the longing felt throughout this song. The layers in Delete Ya melt together perfectly, like reflection against glass. The guitar tones towards the end of the song are some of my favorite parts of The Crux altogether.
If you like synth-soaked songs, are recovering from heartbreak, and made a time capsule in middle school then Delete Ya might be your favorite track.

‘Egg’

An unsettling, out-of-body experience, Egg was a long-awaited song amongst his fans and is the stand out track of The Crux for me. The muted guitar in the background, the screams, and the thick bass all highlight the uncertainty and tension that build up Egg. Keery admits in a listening party that it originally had different verses that were more similar to a Blue Öyster Cult sound but got switched to the current ones. Capturing the surreal, Egg feels like the crux of Keery’s progression as an artist, taking the dense emotions in Twenty Twenty and DECIDE and building upon it here. Filled with self-perception and untangling lines of what makes up self, Keery shows off his lyricism skills without relaxing his grip on thick, beautiful melodies.

SIDE B

‘Fly’

With a classic 70s guitar tone, the brightness mixed with the electronic synth seems like The Crux sound compressed into 30 seconds. The guitar moves into a softer picking, his vocals muted like they are compressed through a phone. It switches into an all-encompassing bass, adding to the tension of the songs and the pull of wanting things. A softer track that shows resemblance to the sound and emotions of his first album, Twenty Twenty. Keery’s embraces instrumentation in Fly, playing a timpani throughout and giving it late night college radio station energy.

‘Charlie’s Garden’

Another stand out track on the album, I believe it will be the track that sticks with the most people after listening. The Beatles influence is baked into it, drizzled on top and frosted on all the edges of Charlie’s Garden. The addition of piccolo trumpet, and piano rerecorded 4 times to get the perfect tone allows this song to perfectly capture the honey like early Beatles sound. The song adds in some voicemails from co-worker and close friend, Charlie Heaton and tells a story about Keery’s reluctance to leave a moment of respite.
If you like the Beatles Sg. Pepper, your favorite color is yellow, and you need a song to pause and enjoy the moment with then Charlie’s Garden might be your favorite track.

‘Gap Tooth Smile’

Twangy and dense, forward and catchy, Keery continues the Cars influence into Gap Tooth Smile. He adds expansive guitars coated in fuzz and a crisp drum sound to lean into the garage rock energy. The song feels like puppy love, sweet and sincere and hopelessly catchy.

‘Golden Line’

Written for his parents, Golden Line is full of raw sincerity. The group vocals, including two of his sisters, flesh out the song well. Keery dips back into that Beatles sound to create a soft and lovely moment. Like rain falling on your face, the layers of piano and vocals are equally charming and aching.
If you like the Moody Blues, are feeling nostalgic, and need a song to play in the kitchen while you bake then Golden Line might be the track for you.

‘Back On You’

Starting this track with chorus vocals to then switch to fuzzy guitar tones and thick bass lines, Back On You is a song highlighting the love and community in Keery’s life. The track expands outward, leaving the mental scape that Keery often explores to highlight his love for his family and friends. The drums come in early on, reminding me instantly of Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis, and soon the Cars inspiration can be heard clearly. The drool-worthy bass is the star of this song, it makes you wanna dance.

‘Crux’

Seeing the title track as last, I knew this song was gonna be a gut punch. This is clearly the heart of the album, the tension building in Queen inspired keyboard and muted vocals. Keery pulls upon these 70s and 80s influence while adding his thoughts to them, he shows a skill to strip back complicated emotions around love and nostalgia to its simple components.