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Massive Attack has ended a six-year recording silence with the release of “Boots on the Ground,” a stark, politically charged single that marks a rare and unexpected collaboration with American avant-garde icon Tom Waits. The track arrives not merely as a musical return, but as a visceral response to the current socio-political climate, blending the Bristol collective’s signature atmospheric tension with Waits’ unmistakable, gravel-toned delivery.
The collaboration sees Waits tackling themes of American turmoil, delivering lyrics that oscillate between the surreal and the scathing. In one sequence, he describes a landscape of “shiny bullets in an army of pants,” before pivoting to the kind of eccentric, jarring imagery that has defined his career, including a brief, incongruous mention of “considerable titties.” It’s a pairing that feels naturally aligned. both artists have spent decades operating on the fringes of the mainstream, utilizing sound as a tool for social commentary and sonic experimentation.
Accompanying the audio is a short film that anchors the song’s abstract lyrics in a concrete, harrowing reality. The visual utilizes photography by the artist known as thefinaleye, weaving together imagery of pandemic-era Black Lives Matter protests and recent ICE raids conducted across the United States. By pairing Waits’ voice with these images, Massive Attack transforms the song into a document of state power and civilian resistance.
A Collaboration Born of Chaos
For Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshal, the decision to partner with Waits was both an artistic milestone and a necessity of the moment. In a press release, the duo described the collaboration as a “career honour,” citing Waits’ magnitude, and integrity. Though, they noted that the music 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 & abandoned mind.
This thematic intensity is consistent with Massive Attack’s recent trajectory. In 2020, the group released the Eutopia EP, which focused heavily on the climate crisis and the global cost-of-living struggle. “Boots on the Ground” appears to be an evolution of that mission, shifting the lens toward the specific mechanisms of state control and the “American emergency” they describe.
The Evolution of Tom Waits and Massive Attack
The appearance of Tom Waits on a contemporary electronic track is a significant event for music historians. Waits has not released a full-length studio album since 2011’s Bad as Me, spending much of the last decade pivoting toward the screen. His recent perform includes roles in 2023’s Star.Wav and The Absence of Eden, as well as a starring role in Jim Jarmusch’s 2025 film, Father Mother Sister Brother.
Even as Waits has remained a constant presence in cinema, his return to music via Massive Attack suggests a renewed interest in the intersection of sound and political urgency. His “junkyard” aesthetic—characterized by found sounds and a weathered vocal style—complements the trip-hop pioneers’ ability to create claustrophobic, cinematic soundscapes.
Massive Attack, meanwhile, has become as well-known for its ideological stances as for its music. In 2025, the duo took the drastic step of requesting the removal of their catalog from Spotify. They argued that the economic structure of streaming services creates a “moral & ethical burden,” claiming that the revenue generated by artists and fans is ultimately used to fund “lethal, dystopian technologies.”
This commitment to activism has extended beyond the boardroom. Robert Del Naja was recently arrested during a demonstration in support of Palestine Action, an activist group targeting the production of arms. This pattern of direct action reinforces the sentiment found in “Boots on the Ground,” positioning the band not just as observers of political turmoil, but as active participants in the struggle against authoritarianism.
Upcoming Tour and Live Dates
To support the recent release, Massive Attack will embark on a limited tour starting in May. The itinerary focuses on major European cultural hubs before concluding with a headline appearance in Japan. The tour is expected to incorporate the audiovisual elements of their recent work, blending live performance with the political imagery seen in the “Boots on the Ground” film.
| Date | City, Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 05-27 | Helsinki, Finland | Veikkaus Arena |
| 05-30 | Rättvik, Sweden | Dalhalla |
| 06-01 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Royal Arena |
| 06-04 | Barcelona, Spain | Primavera Sound |
| 06-07 | Berlin, Germany | Zitadelle |
| 06-08 | Brussels, Belgium | Forest National |
| 07-26 | Niigata, Japan | Fuji Rock Festival |
As the group prepares for these dates, the industry is watching closely to see if “Boots on the Ground” is a standalone statement or a precursor to a full-length project. Given the six-year gap since their last major musical offering, the stakes for this return are high, both artistically and politically.
The next confirmed milestone for the group is the launch of their European tour in late May, where they will bring their critique of state militarization to a live audience. Further updates regarding potential album releases or additional tour dates are expected via their official channels.
We want to hear your thoughts on this collaboration. Do you think the intersection of music and direct activism is the only way forward for veteran artists? Share this story and join the conversation in the comments below.
