Matisyahu has released his newest album Light already this year and it is just as good, if not better than his first album that came out in 2006. It is evident in Matisyahu’s first few tracks on his new album Light, that his craft, and style of music has evolved. All music changes from album to album, and after listening to both of his, there is a profound difference in his sound. However, even though his music has changed (not too dramatically by the way), his message remains constant. I have noticed that Matisyahu is very inspired by overcoming obstacles and self-empowerment. These ideas are very much embedded in his music. 
The first track of the album titled “Smash Lies,” is proof of his meaningful messages. The main line in the song that is repeated is “Dream away!” It speaks of dreaming big and not letting the little things (smashing lies) hold you back.
The song “One Day,” Matisyahu’s newest single, is a song about how that one day the world will be without war, starvation, and other viruses such as these, that have infected out world. After listing to this Reggae ballad, I have found that he has added a splash of the essence that you can find in all of Bob Marley‘s music. These must have been a key factor in determining that this song would be the single.
A good part of the album Light is made up of R&B-Reggae as apposed to Matisyahu’s last album that was primarily Rap-Reggae, and I like it. He did still manage to keep his rap in his record, but the fact that he ventured out into R&B for this album is impressive. Especially because he did a hell of a job. My personal favorite song on the album is “On Nature.” It is oh so very good. I will leave it up to you to check the song out!
Tracklisting:
01. Smash Lies
02. We Will Walk
03. One Day (New Album Version)
04. Escape
05. So Hi So Lo
06. I Will Be Light
07. For You
08. On Nature
09. Motivate
10. Struggla
11. Darkness Into Light
12. Thunder
13. Silence
Tour dates:
Oct. 17 – Flames Central / Calgary, CAN
Oct. 18 – Commodore Ballroom / Vancouver, CAN
Oct. 19 – McDonald Theatre / Eugene, OR
Oct. 20 – The Catalyst / Santa Cruz, CA
Oct. 21 – House of Blues / Anaheim, CA
Oct. 22 – The Fillmore / San Francisco, CA
Oct. 24 – Kick Gas Festival / San Diego, CA
Oct. 25 – Marquee Theatre / Tempe, AZ
Oct. 27 – The Fillmore / Denver, CO
Oct. 29 – Peoples / Des Moines, IA
Oct. 31 – Pabst Theater / Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 2 – The Pageant / St. Louis, MO
Nov. 3 – House of Blues / Chicago, IL
Nov. 4 – Foellinger Auditorium (University of Illinois) / Champaign, IL
Nov. 5 – Slowdown / Omaha, NE
Nov. 8 – House of Blues / New Orleans, LA
Nov. 10 – The Lincoln Theatre / Raleigh, NC
Nov. 11 – Fillmore / Charlotte, NC
Nov. 12 – The Handlebar / Greenville, SC
Nov. 14 – Music Farm / Charleston, SC
Nov. 15 – The Orange Peel / Asheville, NC
Nov. 16 – Buster’s / Lexington, KY
Nov. 17 – The Norva / Norfolk, VA
Nov. 18 – The National / Richmond, VA
Nov. 19 – House of Blues / Myrtle Beach, SC
Nov. 21 – Sonar / Baltimore, MD
Nov. 22 – The Palladium / Worcester, MA
Nov. 23 – Higher Ground / Burlington, VT
Nov. 24 – Northern Lights / Albany, NY
Nov. 25 – Sixth & I Historic Synagogue / Washington, DC
Nov. 28 – The Borgata / Atlantic City, NJ
Nov. 29 – Le Medley / Montreal, CAN
Nov. 30 – The Phoenix / Toronto, CAN
Dec. 1 – Webster Theatre / Hartford, CT
Dec. 2 – House of Blues / Cleveland, OH
Dec. 3 – Bogart’s / Cincinnati, OH
Dec. 7 – St. Andrews / Detroit, MI
Dec. 8 – The Armory / Rochester, NY
Matisyahu: website | myspace | interview | @ crossroads
