Show summary Hide summary
- How the Stranger Things finale reignited interest in Joe Keery’s music
- ‘End of Beginning’ climbs the streaming charts again
- From Post Animal to Djo: the story behind Keery’s solo work
- Why the song connects now: themes, timing, and social media patterns
- What the streaming rebound means for Keery and his audience
When Stranger Things closed its final chapter, many viewers stuck around to process the cliffhangers. For a surprising number of fans, those final credits also led them to Joe Keery’s music alter ego, Djo. The actor’s indie-rock project has quietly built a following for years, but the series’ finale sent one song skyrocketing back into public view.
How the Stranger Things finale reignited interest in Joe Keery’s music
Steve Harrington’s last on-screen moments felt like an era ending. Fans used social clips and year-end montages to underscore that mood. Soon, one Djo track became the soundtrack for those posts.
Nas slams music industry over disrespect: teases new music, vows to address it
1992 vocal performances: 3 jaw-dropping moments that still amaze
Keery’s acting and his music have always intersected in fan spaces. But the series’ conclusion created fresh discovery paths. Clips of emotional scenes paired with the song helped push listeners toward streaming services and social feeds.
The result: renewed streams, playlist adds, and a wave of users searching for Djo for the first time.
‘End of Beginning’ climbs the streaming charts again
The 2022 track “End of Beginning” first found viral life before it was even released as an official single. After the song went viral in 2024, it was later issued as a single and topped global streaming lists.
This surge repeated in early 2026. On Spotify, the song reached No. 1 on the Global Chart and reclaimed the top spot in the U.S. with 1.38 million streams. It also interrupted Taylor Swift’s long run at No. 1, ending her 78-day streak.
Music observers point to timing and context. The song’s theme of closure and new starts fit neatly with the show’s finale and fans’ year-end reflections. That alignment helped the track travel quickly across platforms.
From Post Animal to Djo: the story behind Keery’s solo work
Before performing as Djo, Joe Keery was part of the Chicago psych-rock outfit Post Animal. When Stranger Things grew into a global phenomenon, he stepped away from the band to avoid overshadowing their identity.
Since 2019, Keery has released three Djo albums. Each record expanded his sound and audience in small, steady waves.
- 2019 — early solo material and the Djo project launch
- 2022 — the album Decide, which includes “End of Beginning”
- Subsequent releases and singles that balanced indie rock and synth textures
Keery’s choice to keep music and acting somewhat distinct allowed Djo to develop an independent reputation. That independence helped listeners judge the music on its own merits after the show ended.
Why the song connects now: themes, timing, and social media patterns
“End of Beginning” deals with transitions, choice, and the sense of closing one chapter. Those ideas resonate broadly at year’s end and after major cultural moments.
Social platforms accelerated the song’s spread. Short-form video apps like TikTok gave the track repeated placement in emotionally charged montages.
How the track is being used online
- Year-end highlight reels and recap videos
- Fan edits of the show’s final scenes
- Personal clips about endings and fresh starts
Keery has acknowledged the role of Stranger Things in the revival while noting the song had already built momentum through social sharing. He pointed out that the track had found fans earlier, and the latest wave feels like a new chapter for the song itself.
What the streaming rebound means for Keery and his audience
The renewed attention brings practical benefits. Greater streams translate into more playlist placements and increased exposure for live shows. It also introduces Djo to listeners who may never have connected the dots between Keery’s screen work and his music career.
For many fans, the discovery has been surprising and immediate: the actor they know is also a musician with a catalog worth exploring.
Photo credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
