Massive Attack’s first new song in a decade is a stunning collaboration with an artist who’s been away from the studio even longer: Uncut’s current cover star, Tom Waits.
Massive Attack’s first new song in a decade is a stunning collaboration with an artist who’s been away from the studio even longer: Uncut’s current cover star, Tom Waits.
“Boots On The Ground” is accompanied by a film created by Massive Attack alongside enigmatic US photo artist thefinaleye, which you can watch below:
“Boots On The Ground” is available on limited edition ‘EcoSonic’ vinyl from the official Massive Attack store, backed with a spoken word piece by Waits entitled “The Fly”. Massive Attack will be donating all profits from the sale of the vinyl edition to the American Civil Liberties Union and the US Immigrant Defense Project.
“One day many years ago I accepted an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate,” Waits explains. “Way back then, we sent them ‘Boots On The Ground’. Their long release delay never worried me. Today, as in all of mankind’s yesterdays, guarantees this song will never go out of style. Man’s fiasco folly is a feast for the flies. Hence, the B-side of Massive Attack’s upcoming 12-inch ‘The Fly’ features my appreciation for the winged nuisance.”
“It’s a career honour to collaborate with an artist of the magnitude, originality and integrity of Tom,” add Massive Attack, “but this track is arriving in an atmosphere of chaos. Across the western hemisphere, state authoritarianism and the militarisation of police forces are fusing again with neo-fascist politics. Seen within the American emergency, at home and overseas, this track contains pulses of callous impulse and abandoned mind.”
Further Massive Attack releases are scheduled prior and subsequent to the band’s run of live performances, including their forthcoming European tour and summer festival headline shows. See the full list of dates below:
27.05.2026 — Helsinki, FI — Veikkaus Arena
30.05.2026 — Rättvik, SE — Dalhalla
01.06.2026 — Copenhagen, DK — Royal Arena
04.06.2026 — Barcelona, ES — Primavera Sound
07.06.2026 — Berlin, DE — Zitadelle
08.06.2026 — Brussels, BE — Forest National
26.07.2026 — Niigata, JP — Fuji Rock Festival
Tom Waits is the cover star of the current issue of Uncut, available in shops now or via our online store
The post Hear the new single by Massive Attack and Tom Waits, “Boots On The Ground” appeared first on UNCUT.
