Matisyahu, “Hold the Fire.”

While the material may have been composed prior to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, it’s difficult to not listen to the lyrics of shapeshifting musician Matisyahu through that the prism of the war that’s sparked passionate protests around the globe from both sides. While the singer may no longer be Hasidic, his Jewish faith remains central to his spiritual musical and creative core.

Matisyahu’s latest five-song set, Hold The Fire, digs into his stylistic blend of reggae, rock and hip-hop. The lead track, “Fireproof,” is an ode to perseverance in troubled times and a rallying cry to keep the creative fire alight in the face of struggle. Referencing Moses and the burning bush (hence, standing up to destruction or evil but not succumbing to it), it’s a sort of mission statement for the record.

“I’m overwhelmed from the altitude/ I take a breath and feel gratitude/ I shift my attitude when I was walking on the avenue,” he sings on the EP opener.

The message is one of peaceful positivity and resilience, and there’s a universal relatability to the words he sings despite some of the overtones of faith and culture.

The trippy “End of the World” is melodic but also has a hip-hop sensibility in the musicality and arrangement. The personal adversary about which the West Chester, Penn.-born musician speaks ranges from drugs and alcohol to troubled relationships and anger. Still, on tracks like “Fool’s Gold,” the message is delivered in a way that dials in a positive message.

“You call me righteous/ But I’m just the likeness/ It’s a fool’s gold,” he sings.

The tracks are tightly packed, most clocking in at around two minutes and change, but still manage to effectively deliver the goods. Reggae-heavy tracks like “Love Supplier” fuse rhymes with an infectious melodic chorus, a change of pace from some of the other material on the EP.

The closer, “Lifeline,” digs deeper into a pop-influenced sound with a singable chorus. The synth-heavy track has an anthemic quality, especially once the harmonized chorus hits.

While the backdrop of Hold the Fire might be heavy—in a way similar to 2022’s self-titled album—there’s ultimately a message that shines through that’s uplifting and relatable; one on which Matisyahu probably hopes listeners can find common ground amid the current deep division.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.