Massive Attack Returns with 'Boots on the Ground' Featuring Tom Waits
British trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack have released their first commercial single in a decade, titled 'Boots on the Ground,' featuring legendary vocalist Tom Waits. The track marks a significant return for the band, whose last album, Heligoland, was released in 2010. The song is described as a dark, ominous hymn characterized by unsettling breathing sounds, arrhythmic clatter, and military snares, portraying a boorish warmonger. This release coincides with heightened political activism by frontman Robert Del Naja, who was recently arrested during a Palestine Action protest in London. The accompanying video features documentary photography highlighting social issues such as Black Lives Matter protests and homeless veterans. Critics note that while the band's musical output has dwindled, their influence remains profound, having spawned the trip-hop genre. The collaboration with Waits, who submitted his vocals years ago, underscores the band's ability to attract high-profile partners who integrate deeply into their sonic landscape. The single is viewed as a major cultural event, reflecting the band's evolution from their seminal 1990s work to a darker, more abstract contemporary sound.
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Massive Attack Returns with 'Boots on the Ground' Featuring Tom Waits
British trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack have released their first commercial single in a decade, titled 'Boots on the Ground,' featuring legendary vocalist Tom Waits. The track marks a significant return for the band, whose last album, Heligoland, was released in 2010. The song is described as a dark, ominous hymn characterized by unsettling breathing sounds, arrhythmic clatter, and military snares, portraying a boorish warmonger. This release coincides with heightened political activism by frontman Robert Del Naja, who was recently arrested during a Palestine Action protest in London. The accompanying video features documentary photography highlighting social issues such as Black Lives Matter protests and homeless veterans. Critics note that while the band's musical output has dwindled, their influence remains profound, having spawned the trip-hop genre. The collaboration with Waits, who submitted his vocals years ago, underscores the band's ability to attract high-profile partners who integrate deeply into their sonic landscape. The single is viewed as a major cultural event, reflecting the band's evolution from their seminal 1990s work to a darker, more abstract contemporary sound.
The Guardian