The standard-bearers for trip-hop, Bristol natives Massive Attack, have announced complete details on their soon-to-be released new album. Entitled Heligoland, the album will see release on 8 February 2010. Their first studio album in seven years, Heligoland is seen as one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2010.
Ranked among the most influential bands to come out of British music in the 1990’s, Massive Attack had long been believed to reach their creative peak with 1998’s seminal release, Mezzanine. Creative fallout and personnel changes within the band left founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grant Marshall (Daddy G) to trudge forward. The band’s 2003 release, 100th Window, though critically well-received, has long been speculated to be, in reality, the first solo work of now-accomplished soundtrack producer 3D. Regardless, one constant remains: Massive Attack’s popularity as live artists has never waned to any serious degree. They have remained a successful touring and performing act the world over.
The litany of guest appearances on Heligoland is impressive: there are substantial contributions on Heligoland from vocalists Martina Topley-Bird and Hope Sandoval, Gorillaz and Blur frontman Damon Albarn, Guy Garvey (from the band Elbow), Tunde Adebimpe and the return of legendary Reggae vocalist Horace Andy.
In addition to production from the band themselves, Tim Goldsworthy of DFA lends his help with production duties on the album. The tracks which appeared on their recently-released EP Splitting the Atom will also appear on the album, songs which give strong indication that Massive Attack have entered yet another phase of depth and creativity worth listening to and noticing.
Tracklisting for Heligloland:
01) Pray For Rain – featuring Tunde Adebimpe
02) Babel – featuring Martina Topley-Bird
03) Splitting The Atom – featuring Robert del Naja/Grant Marshall/Horace Andy
04) Girl I Love You – featuring Horace Andy
05) Psyche – featuring Martina Topley-Bird
06) Flat Of The Blade – featuring Guy Garvey
07) Paradise Circus – featuring Hope Sandoval
08) Rush Minute – featuring Robert del Naja
09) Saturday Come Slow – featuring Damon Albarn
10) Atlas Air – featuring Robert del Naja
