When Team DIY were first lucky enough to hear the new album from Djo a few months ago, the first thing that struck us was the scale of its musicality. Much like the most joyful of musical magpies, ‘The Crux’ sees Joe Keery diving headfirst into a sonic wonderland – nodding to everyone from The Strokes to The Beatles – all while clearly loving every minute. That’s one of the reasons we realised he was the perfect cover star for our April 2025 issue. So, if you’re more familiar with the star because of Stranger Things, or last year’s hit ‘End of Beginning’, prepare to be welcomed into his new technicolour world with open arms.
“I had mostly just made music at home on my computer, so I was really inspired by properly recording analogue instruments in a studio,” Joe explains, on recording the album in the iconic confines of Electric Lady Studios. “I had new access to this great new resource, so I wanted to emulate the records that were inspiring to me when I was growing up, to kinda pay homage to those albums by fully utilising the studio.” Both the inquisitive child and the adult muso within him, you sense, were in their absolute element during recording. “What would 14 year-old me like?” he enthuses. “AC/DC, T-Rex, the classic glammy-rock is what I loved. ‘Gap Tooth Smile’ is a song I feel like I almost wrote for myself as a young guy – I think I would’ve been proud of that one.”
Elsewhere in this month’s issue, we’re introduced to Lucy Dacus’ romantic period via her gorgeous fourth record ‘Forever Is A Feeling’, we talk fighting for friendship with Sunflower Bean as they get ready to share forthcoming new album ‘Mortal Primetime’, and talk reflection and moving on with Jensen McRae. We also dive into Black Country, New Road’s newest chapter, talk coming through the other side with Momma, and get the lowdown on the forthcoming new album from experimental London octet caroline, ooh-er.
Over in this month’s Neu – aka a one-stop shop for all things new music – we get better acquainted with music’s fastest rising star d4vd ahead of the release of his long-anticipated debut album, and catch up with US outfit Wishy, and South London’s finest Alien Chicks, the latter of whom have a lot to say about public transport. Plus, we also catch up with the incredible Obongjayar in our latest In Deep profile, relive Antony Szmierek’s memorable London headline show, and give you the DIY verdict on the new records from Bon Iver, Viagra Boys, Prima Queen, recent cover star Self Esteem as well as loads, loads more.
To dig into all of that and more, just click the button below to grab a print copy of our April 2025 issue, order via our online shop, or check out the digital edition below. See you on the flipside…
