By Paul Salfen
The late afternoon sun spills over the emerald hills of upstate New York, painting Matisyahu’s home in a warm, amber glow. Outside, the GRAMMY-nominated artist talks introspectively about his new release, Ancient Child. Tomorrow, October 3, 2025, his eighth studio album, Ancient Child, will burst into the world—a 12-track tapestry of reggae’s soul, hip-hop’s swagger, and afrobeat’s pulse, stitched together with threads of Jewish mysticism and a father’s fierce love. In a recent conversation with Paul Salfen, Matisyahu’s voice carried the weight of two decades of music, his words dancing between memory and hope as he shared the story behind this transformative project.
It all began with “Son Come Up,” the spark that ignited Ancient Child. “It was the first song I wrote, and it felt like a prophecy,” Matisyahu said, his voice soft but resolute. “I’d been circling this idea for 20 years, ever since I plunged into Kabbala and Chassidut.” Featuring his eldest son, LAIVY, the track is a prayer set to a hypnotic blend of rhythms—a father’s plea for his children to rise “like the sun” and cast their light into a fractured world. At 20, LAIVY and his younger brother, Duvbear, are carving their own musical paths, and Matisyahu’s lyrics brim with pride and vulnerability. “I pray for them as they move through dangerous situations,” he said, “hoping they’ll shine brighter than I ever could.” Listen to “Son Came Up”
The album’s title, Ancient Child, is a paradox that pulses through every track. Matisyahu’s mind drifts back to his teenage years, to a wild cousin named Adam who lived in a world of treehouses and psychedelic tapes. One day, Adam played him a recording of a child proclaiming himself the Messiah, speaking of redemption with eerie conviction. “In Judaism, the Messiah is ancient, born at the dawn of creation, yet unborn, like a child,” Matisyahu explained, his eyes alight with the memory. This concept—wisdom wrapped in innocence—became the album’s soul. Songs like “Pro-Cess,” “Anxiety” (featuring BLP Kosher), and “Crosswinds” weave personal and spiritual reflections, grappling with identity and destiny in a post-October 7th world. The music defies genre, a kaleidoscope of reggae, hip-hop, rock, and more, drawn from the “universe of music” Matisyahu has absorbed over 20 years.
Salfen steered the conversation to 2005, when Matisyahu’s Live at Stubb’s erupted from Austin’s smoky barbecue joint, launching him into stardom with the Gold-certified “King Without A Crown.” Matisyahu chuckled, recalling a faded photo of three-year-old LAIVY outside Stubb’s, green headphones dwarfing his tiny frame as he recited Kabbalistic verses for the live album. “Now he’s 19, performing his own songs,” Matisyahu said, his voice thick with pride. “It’s like the circle’s complete.” That full-circle moment echoes in Ancient Child, with LAIVY and Duvbear featured on “Son Come Up” and “Rockin Tempos,” their voices blending with their father’s in a powerful metaphor for legacy. “It’s the sun rising,” Matisyahu said, “my sons stepping into their own light.”
Creating Ancient Child was a journey of reconnection—to his Jewish roots, to his role as a father, to the raw emotion of music itself. “This album is about history, identity, destiny,” he told Salfen, “seen through a child’s humility and the wisdom of generations.” The album’s artwork, crafted by visual artist Andrew Cotton, mirrors this depth with vibrant paintings that accompany each single, available as limited-edition prints that capture the music’s spirit.
As Matisyahu prepares for the Ancient Child Tour, kicking off October 11 in Buffalo, he’s determined to breathe life into these new songs. “I’m having the band learn every track,” he said, a shift from his usual mix of hits like “One Day” and “Sunshine.” This time, he’ll play six or seven new songs a night, letting them evolve under stage lights. “You need to perform a song 20, 30 times to hear its true voice,” he said. With longtime collaborator Aaron Dugan opening, the tour will weave through cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Orlando, delivering the electrifying, soul-stirring performances that have defined Matisyahu’s career.
The conversation turned to a defining moment from 2005, a “Hail Mary” at Bonnaroo that still makes Matisyahu grin. A lifelong Phish fan, he’d dropped out of high school to follow the band, and now he had a chance to meet his idol, Trey Anastasio. Ignoring his manager’s advice, Matisyahu blurted out, “Can I sit in with you tonight?” Anastasio hesitated but invited him to rehearse Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” Hours later, Anastasio called him back, having listened to Live at Stubb’s with his band. They played “No Woman, No Cry” and Matisyahu’s “Close My Eyes” together, a moment that felt like catching a spiraling pass in the endzone. “It was like the ball was right there,” Matisyahu said, “and all I had to do was grab it.”
Inspiration doesn’t always come easy, though. Matisyahu spoke candidly about performing through sickness or doubt, moments when the stage felt like a battlefield. “You can’t fake it,” he said. “Fans will know.” Instead, he turns to improvisation, diving into the music like a lifeline. “It’s about creating a space for expression, for spirituality,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. That spirit will shine in December’s Hanukkah shows, where a massive disco ball dreidel—crafted by a lighting designer from My Morning Jacket—will spin above the stage, scattering light like a prayer. The shows will feature two sets: one revisiting Live at Stubb’s for its 20th anniversary, the other showcasing Ancient Childalongside fan favorites like “Miracle” and “Happy Hanukkah.”
As the conversation closed, Matisyahu’s focus was razor-sharp: to live fully in the moment of Ancient Child. “I’m holding back the urge to write new songs,” he admitted, a smile in his voice. “Right now, it’s about these songs, this tour, this creation.” For fans, it’s a chance to witness an artist at his peak, spinning stories that illuminate the soul and point toward a future radiant with hope.
Ancient Child is available for pre-save on all major streaming platforms. For tour dates and tickets, visit matisyahuworld.com/tour.
Ancient Child Track Listing
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Pro-Cess
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Anxiety (feat. BLP Kosher)
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Sound Foundation
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Crosswinds
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Son Come Up (feat. LAIVY)
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Rockets (feat. Duvbear)
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Find A Way
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Smoke & Mirrors
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Wake Up
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Balance
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Ritual
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Rockin Tempos (feat. Duvbear)
