So it's been how many years since Massive Attack's 100th Window came out? Five? Six? Too many, that's how many. It was met with mixed reviews, never quite reaching the level of praise and worship as their third album, Mezzanine. Even still, these trip-hop masters have soldiered on and in 2006 released Collected, a two-disc a- and b-sides collection, featuring two new songs, "Live with Me" and "False Flags."
However, rumblings of a new album have been heard for years - in fact it was first thought that "Live with Me" and "False Flags" were the first two singles for this fifth release. After multiple delays, it seems the Heinz ketchup people were right and the best things do in fact come to those who wait.
Yesterday on Radio 1, Zane Lowe debuted "Splitting the Atom," from Massive Attack's upcoming EP, set for release this fall. "Atom" is a work of pure genius. The simple four-on-the-floor drumbeat alternates between a kick (or double-kick, depending on the bar) and a hand-clap and snare. Deeper swells rise from the abyss and spectral background vocals by Robert "3D" Del Naja accent the seething verses by Daddy G and smooth, if dismal, choruses by Horace Andy.
The real star of this show, however, is the keyboard. It sounds incredibly old, like old Dracula movie old, but it's heavy on the upbeat and almost dub-like. It lends so much texture and soul to "Splitting the Atom" it would be impossible without it. The song rocks for nearly six minutes, and rides a slow, unchanging groove like "Protection," though it slowly, gradually picks up the background instruments to impose on the earlier steady groove fiercely and in a way only Massive Attack can.
If this is on the EP (I think due Oct) that didn't quite make the full album (due Feb 2010), Massive Attack's 2010 release could be the best album of next year. Find "Splitting the Atom" online and stream or download it as soon as you can; it's one of the best songs I've heard this year.
For fans of Gorillaz, Portishead, Tricky.
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