When most people think of reggae they think of Bob Marley and all things dreadlocked and high-inducing. For those not well-versed in the genre, it is hard to draw the distinction between reggae and dancehall and Rastafarian stereotypes. One thing clearly synonymous with the genre is politically charged messages. Reggae's newest star, Matisyahu, features a different hairstyle than Marley, but rhymes with the same passion. Most commonly discussed about Matisyahu is his strict adherence to Hasidic Judaism. His stage getup consists of traditional headwear and payoth (uncut sideburns). Matisyahu's new album, Youth, however, will give listeners something to talk about other than his kosher lifestyle.
Matisyahu's talent, rather than his appearance, becomes the focus upon listening to his latest effort. He claims to combine "the sounds of Bob Marley and Shlomo Carlebach, yet [remains] wholly original," and his second studio album proves Matisyahu has a unique take on the genre. Starting his musical life as a Dead-Head and Phish follower, it was actually his religious awakening that led him to his hip-hop/reggae sound. After he found faith in Israel, he returned to the States. Strangely enough, Matisyahu found his individualistic sound in Oregon. Youth is very much a spiritual and musical journey made up of equal parts religious faith and passion. With beats and powerful lyrics, Matisyahu has made a religious-themed album that is entertaining for all listeners.
The songs "Jerusalem" and "Late Night in Zion" exemplify Matisyahu's prowess of conveying devout, yet not preachy, songs. He declares his faith and desire to remain close to his community with lyrics exclaiming that if he forgets Jerusalem then his right hand might as well forget what it is supposed to do. He manages to cry out to the world in "Youth" and "King Without a Crown" for people to be moral and to look within themselves. He exclaims that "youth are the engine of the world" and we should all take more care in our lives.
Matisyahu is a master at mixing styles. His take on reggae includes bits from his jam-band-loving past, dancehall and hip-hop. Inspired by Marley, Sizzla, Capleton and Nas, Matisyahu uses his rhyming skills in English with the occasional Yiddish and Hebrew expressions to make a unique sound that will appeal to reggae fans and those not as familiar with the genre. Not only does Matisyahu's rhyming style and lyrical quality remain constant, but his beat-boxing does as well. Despite many similarities in theme, each song manages to sound different from the next. Through use of guitar or incorporation of a traditional African beat, it is variation that is a subtle rather than harsh contrast, which furthers the album's cohesive rather than monotonous sound.
The songs are not all about religion, but all of them are passionate. Passion, a quality lacking in most modern music, abounds in Youth. While his music is often based in expression and exultation of faith, Matisyahu's music can apply to all people, not just those of one specific religion. Matisyahu strived for universality in Youth and succeeded.
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