Guest Review – Josh Weir
If you’re as chronically online as I am, you may have seen a resurgence in the usage of the word ‘nonchalant’. I personally hate this. I am firmly of the belief that nonchalance, indifference, and apathy are all gross failings of the human character. I know, bit extreme of an intro for an album review, but I want you to keep this sentiment in mind throughout this review – nonchalance is the death of heart.
With that being said, the album I want to highlight as a vehicle for this topic of conversation is the new cut The Crux, released at the start of April, by Djo. This, to me, is a record that speaks depths about the human condition, highlighting themes of love, vulnerability, growth, yearning, and most poignantly for me, the nature of connection.
I live in Leeds at the moment, and upon an impromptu trip to visit the boys at Waxing Lyrical HQ, Newcastle, I decided to start my journey off by listening to the album, as I saw it pop up and thought to myself: “You know, I’ve heard bits and pieces from this guy on TikTok and Instagram, but have never fully done my due diligence.” Upon first listen, I had an absolute blast listening to this record. Tracks like Link and Back On You brought me the energy I needed to prepare to have to put up with Joe’s ramblings, while some more contemplative tracks like Fly and Golden Line allowed me to have a ‘calm before the storm’ sort of moment. It wasn’t until I decided to listen to the record later on the next week, and really dig into it, did I realise what a surface level encounter I had with the album the first time around.
One thing that I think is great about Djo as a musician, is how plain it is to see who his influences are. From the Lindsey Buckingham style guitar in Potion, to the lovechild between The Beatles and The Electric Light Orchestra that features on the track Charlie’s Garden, I have no problem stating that Djo has excellent taste; however, the truly impressive part is that you can hear all of these influences, but when you take a step back it is, unequivocally, Djo. Now that is how you build character.
A feature that I have truly come to appreciate on this album is the subtle choices in production that help to support the delivery of the messages contained within. Take the first track, Lonesome Is A State Of Mind – the vocals in the verse, where the lyrics are more pessimistic, have the bass ever so slightly reduced, helping to sell the image the lyrics paint aren’t really heartfelt, as the actual quality of the delivery lacks support and depth. Another great way this is done is the soundstaging in Fly, where Djo does an amazing job at creating a vast, open sound that helps to sell the song’s message of growth and embracing the journey.
The final track of the album is really at the centre of my sentiment shared at the start of this review. Crux is a song about one thing for me – heart. Having heart is truly one of the best things I could ever say about a person. It takes courage and vulnerability, because true heart is fragile, but it is what makes us all unique. True connection, heart to heart, is what makes life worth living.
This album helped me realise that feelings of vulnerability and social conspicuousness stem from insecurities of individuality. Djo does an excellent job at highlighting this, and not dismissing it, but showing that you should take pride in your uniqueness. Never be nonchalant – have some character for goodness’ sake.
Waxing Lyrical 