Massive Attack & Tom Waits Boots on the Ground 12" Vinyl Single (Color Vinyl)

Massive Attack and Tom Waits release a new collaboration "Boots on the Ground," with an exclusive-to-vinyl B-side provided by Waits — a droll and sardonic spoken word piece entitled "The Fly."

"Boots on the Ground" is never more urgent and timely. The song chronicles the madness and rabid abandonment of mankind to the commands of "The Masters of War," as Bob Dylan put it. It marks Massive Attack's first new music since 2020 and Waits's first new recording since the 2011 album, Bad As Me. An accompanying evocative, high-intensity montage film created by Massive Attack portrays a momentous American epoch that is yet to be named, and comes in the aftermath of the largest public protests in American history — focused on opposition to ICE raids, the militarization of domestic forces, and state authoritarianism.

When asked about the collaboration, Waits said: "One day many years ago, I accepted an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate. Their long release delay never worried me. Today, as in all of mankind's yesterdays, guarantees this type of song will never go out of style. Man's folly of fiascos 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."

In keeping with the band's sector leading efforts to reduce carbon emissions across both live activity and recorded output, Massive Attack have partnered with Good Neighbor to produce an 'EcoSonic' pressing. Manufactured using 100% recycled PET (rPET) rather than traditional PVC, the record is fully recyclable and produced via an energy-efficient injection moulding process — a significant shift in record manufacturing. Packaging follows the same approach, with sleeves made from 100% recycled, FSC®-certified paper stock and outer slipcases produced from recycled polyethylene.

The UK group returns after six years and casts one of America's great troubadours in a magnetic, harrowing role.