With his eighth studio album Ancient Child, Matisyahu closes one era and begins another — one rooted in spontaneity, self-reliance, and spiritual renewal.
“I think every album I’ve made has been slightly different,” he says. “From my very first album where I was just going on Friday afternoons to record music—the only time I could leave Yeshiva—to Youth, which was the first big record while I was touring and figuring it all out. Each one’s been its own experience.”
But Ancient Child isn’t just another evolution — it’s a pivot. “To me, this is like the last of that old era of putting out albums,” Matisyahu explains. “If I have something to say in the moment, why would I wait two years? I want everyone to hear what I have to say right then. Every song is important.”
Much of the record was written post-COVID, during a period of domestic stillness and creative reflection. “My wife was giving birth at home, babies were home, and new music was being made,” he recalls. “It was special.”
Where earlier albums were intensely personal, Ancient Child opens its doors to collaboration. “In the past, it was maybe ninety percent me,” he admits. “On this album, there’s a lot more change-up. My approach now is, why not? If something feels right, then it’s just my ego getting in the way if I’m like, ‘Oh, I didn’t write it, so I’m not going to include it.’”
Faith remains the record’s compass — not as dogma, but as creative surrender. “The tendency is to try and grab hold of something—even creativity,” he says. “But you have to let the song speak to you. My whole approach is the opposite of control. The song plays me.”
That sense of openness extends to his presentation. The album’s vivid cover and single art were created by British painter Andrew Cotton, whose imagery Matisyahu immediately connected with. “He tattooed me up with symbols that actually meant something,” he says. “He captured the vibe perfectly. The artwork, the merch, the show—it’s all connected. It all comes from within.”
For Matisyahu, Ancient Child represents liberation — from record-industry cycles, creative stagnation, and even time itself. “Moving forward, everything’s about immediacy,” he says. “Making music in the moment, living with the times. And it’s not being controlled by anyone other than myself. That’s a good feeling.”
Watch The Full Interview with Matisyahu talking about the new album “Ancient Child” below!
