When was the last time a Hasidic Jewish reggae star caused such a commotion? Oh, right, never. That’s what exciting about Matisyahu: he’s like nothing that anyone has ever encountered before.

Part of the reason why Matisyahu exploded was due to Live at Stubb’s capturing him on stage – it was here, under the bosom of Phish, that he was able to engage with people directly. It also helped dilute his religious message somewhat. For the follow-up studio album, Youth, Matisyahu must have felt some level of pressure to maintain the energy found on his live album. Part of the problem is Bill Laswell’s production; rather than simply letting the band play, there’s a lot of studio trickery found on it.

There’s no surprise to find the excellent “King Without a Crown” here, coming in last. It’s the best ‘song’ in his arsenal, and although the guitar solo on the studio vision isn’t as thrilling as that on the live release, it doesn’t dilute the quality of the track. Likewise the title cut is a great song first, and a song of empowerment second. What is apparent throughout Youth is just how important his religion is to Matisyahu, as each track is coloured by his experience of being a Hasidic Jew.

So, really, what separates Matisyahu from any other heavy-handed religious musician? In truth, not a great deal – except for the fact that where Creed delivered their message with bombastic rock, Matisyahu uses the bouncy reggae template. It’s more aurally pleasing, but it’s no less didactic, as on “Dispatch the Troops” or “Late Night in Zion”. Nevertheless, Matisyahu is an entertainer, and Youth can’t help but fascinate anyone interested in why he is now such a big deal in the music world.