Categorized | Albums

Matisyahu – Shattered

I thought the novelty of a rap and reggae mix from a Hasidic Jew would wear off, but with each new release from , I continue to be impressed by this Pennsylvanian’s smooth fusion of inspired music.

Most recently, has released a four song EP called Shattered. The title alone has a dark connotation, and the first song, “Smash Lies”, seemingly supports this as the lyrics talk of disenchantment with the world with its “daily grind.” As the music spirals down the scale, all hope seems lost.

However, the depressed spirit seems to have a change about midway through the EP. After the steady cymbal crashes of “So Hi So Lo”, the album appears to hit an emotional low when declares in “Two Child One Drop” that “I am a murderer.” At this point the music breaks into double time and a new light seems to breakthrough the bleakness.

The EP closes with the brighter, “I Will Be Light”, which is a quite pretty, but less of a song and more of a coda to the album. This song is necessary for the completeness of the album, but it doesn’t seem like it could stand on its own. Instead, this EP is more like one long song that tells the story of rising above the shattered pieces of a broken world.

’s Shattered is available now.

Tracklisting:
01. Smash Lies
02. So Hi So Lo
03. Two Child One Drop
04. I Will Be Light

: website | myspace

Written by: Bethany

Related Posts

This post was written by:

Bethany Smith - who has written 745 posts on popwreckoning.


Contact the author

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

2 Responses to “Matisyahu – Shattered”

  1. Jamie says:

    Shows how well you know Matis – he introduced Light at Langerado in March 2008 and it was the highlight of his show. Although it may never be a hit single with the general close minded public, it can absolutely stand on its own to people who know anything about music and can appreciate what he is saying.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. [...] Matisyahu: website | myspace | Shattered review [...]


Leave a Reply

Advert

What's new on PW:

Posting tweet...

disclaimer

All media content contained within PopWreckoning is meant to enhance reader appreciation for the art and medium. Please support artists you discover here by purchasing albums, attending shows and buying merch.
Contact us should you wish for certain media to be removed from PopWreckoning.

Concert Calendar

July 31, 2010
Tokyo Police Club @ Record Bar, Kansas City MO

August 2, 2010
The Vans Warped Tour @ Sandstone at Cap Fed, Bonner Springs KS

August 3, 2010
Lady Gaga @ Sprint Center, Kansas City MO

August 3, 2010
Happy Birthday!! @ Replay, Lawrence KS

August 6-8, 2010
Lollapalooza @ Grant Park, Chicago

August 10, 2010
Gogol Bordello @ Uptown, Kansas City MO

"PopWreckoning is better than Pitchfork." - Shawn Fogel

PopWreckers

Publisher ::
Nick Davis (KC)

Editor-in-Chief ::
Joshua Hammond (KC): email

Managing Editor ::
Bethany Smith (KC): email

Contributors ::
Mary Chang (DC)
Melissa Cowan (Kansas City)
Annastasia Gallaher (Seattle)
Jon Gitchoff (St. Louis)
Marc Z. Grub (Toronto)
Tatum Hengel (Oregon)
Patrice Jackson (Kansas City)
Tracy Nunnery (San Fran)
Casey Osburn (KC)
Reni Papananias (NYC)
Amanda Sorell (Lawrence)
Dese'Rae Stage (NYC)
Thomas Starks(Seattle)
Abbie Stutzer (KC)
Sara Swiecki (LA)
Abby Williamson (Seattle)
Todd Zimmer (Kansas City)