Paintbrush is the first collection of all original songs from the young Israeli and Palestinian musicians

After releasing their debut album Home in 2017, the Jerusalem Youth Chorus finally dropped the follow-up, Paintbrush, this week. Comprising 10 songs, the record is the first from the Israeli and Palestinian collective made up entirely of original songs. Written over the past year, the tracks reflect the global and local hardships people have faced and they do so in a mix of musical traditions and styles.

Established in 2012, the JYC programme was started to provide young Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem a way to share stories, speak their truths and spread a message of peace, justice, inclusion and equality. “We create a space for young Palestinian and Israeli singers to experience a different reality,” said JYC Founder and Artistic Director Micah Hendler, “one of togetherness, understanding, caring, love and justice. Where all are celebrated for who they are, no matter where they come from.”

Paintbrush, as a collection, is a musical manifestation of this community. Each song is sung in a different language – some tracks with as many as three languages in one – and they explore a variety of themes, from strengthening connections amid conflict, to living with separation from those we love, to the many ways that we’re all responsible for one another.

It’s been a busy year for the band, too, who have been releasing videos throughout lockdown and inviting musicians from around the world to collaborate with them, including Hamilton star Arianna Afsar, Israeli singer Mira Awad and Ziggy Marley (eldest son of Bob). And all this alongside writing and recording their second album, Paintbrush, which came out on Monday 24 October and is available to stream on Spotify, iTunes and the usual places now.

By Danielle Goldstein

Paintbrush by Jerusalem Youth Chorus is out now. jerusalemyouthchorus.org