Get Original, Aren’t You Tired of ‘Basic Being Basic’? Djo’s Latest Single Explores The Need For The Unpredictable, Unique and Authentic

"You're so basic" and "That's so basic" are bitter sentiments that have rattled the 21st century to describe something as unoriginal or fake. To be "basic" is to buy into fads, products, behaviours, and so on that make someone look like something and someone they aren't. It's an anecdote that Djo (also known as Joe Keery out of his musical persona) deeply explores in his first single, 'Basic Being Basic', off his upcoming album, 'The Crux'. 

In a typical Djo fashion, the song is wrapped in what feels like a warped collection of early 90's sounds. A vinyl record being scratched on a DJ deck woven throughout, a funky electronic piano and synthesizer pulsating, and a drum line consisting of a hit hat and bass drum. It's a fun and refreshing sound, unlike his previous projects such as 'DECIDE', which used many darker-toned synths, heavy bass, and psychedelic pop and rock that derives inspiration from the late 70s and early 80s alternative pop. 

Now, with the turning of tone and slight twist of sound in his indie genre- alternative-synth-pop/rock, this latest single is changing the direction of what to expect from his next release. For example, he blew up on social media with 'End of Beginning', a heartfelt song that speaks of the feeling of reminiscing about a place you have outgrown and how nostalgia can wave through you and ground you when you return to it. 

To now, 'Basic Being Basic' calls out the addiction to trends we see on social media and in life. A bit of irony there. Despite the song being "fictional", it does tell a "non-fictional" story of how quickly people have lost themselves to being something that fits the season, the moment, the "it" thing that gets the most likes, "being basic". The bridge highlights very online moments like" cheugy-phobe / Vera Bradley's back in Vogue / It's a flash photograph" showcase the way that trends, fast fashion, recalling of "older" cool aesthetics (yes, this is about flash film photographs), really depicts the way that he understands the way that internet culture keeps us locked in place at times. 

It doesn't feel like he is talking to anyone directly, but more so observing and thinking about the actions he is making and others have made to avoid being seen as "basic" from the first verse of what almost feels like disbelief in what he is seeing, gawking a bit. It may not necessarily be something physically in front of him but what he sees on his phone. A call out to "basic" actions, such as someone taking photos of their food to post online only for likes. "Get food, barely eat / Every bite just kept me glued to my seat". 

Throughout the second verse, he ponders his thoughts about himself, namely how he views himself versus how the external world may view him. "I don't want your money, I don't care for fame / I don't wanna live a life where that's my big exchange." It doesn't mean that he doesn't want to be known for his work, but the need for internet recognition to do something that fits the norm and to satisfy the way people want him to be, love, sing, and act can not and will not be "basic". 

The chorus is a fun moment as he wants the listener to consider whether they are scared of being seen as buying into a basic lifestyle such as certain clothes, sayings, diets, relationships and actions that seem to attract temporary joy.

He is asking rhetorically to anyone listening to the song: "How are they living their lives; does it reflect them? Does the way that they are living feel ironic? Are they even happy?"

It feels like the way he sings the chorus leans into a sarcastic tone when he says, "That's ironic 'cause it's reading like you're even more basic / It's not funny, it's so funny". An emphasis on the "it's not funny, it's so funny" feels sarcastic as it's not funny. This is how people live their lives, but, weirdly, people are so worried about riding this line of being "fake" and "real" that it is funny to watch disingenuous actions pan out. 

The entirety of the song is begging individuals to be original. It points out people's risks if they do not allow themselves the time to take chances and show the world who they are. Why would you want to be "basic", not be the wholly funky and quirky person you are and feel insignificant under a lie? As Djo says, "What an empty epitaph that is (That's basic)". 

This is just the beginning of what will come from the eclectic and talented musician and actor. 2025 is a big year for Keery; we are excited and eagerly await his third album and the final season of his long-running character, Steve Harrington, in Stranger Things. It's the year of Djo, don't you know? 

Tyra Baker

@got_tyra

Image: ‘Basic Being Basic' Official Single Cover