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Massive Attack Returns with New Single Featuring Tom Waits
After six years, Massive Attack release their first new music with a collaboration featuring Tom Waits. The single, “Boots on the Ground,” reflects on contemporary socio-political issues in the U.S.
Massive Attack have ended a six-year hiatus with the release of their new single, “Boots on the Ground,” marking their first offering since the 2020 Eutopia EP. The track features a rare vocal collaboration with Tom Waits, who delivers commentary on current socio-political tensions in the United States. The song’s lyrics include pointed reflections on government and societal unrest, accompanied by an accompanying short film showcasing photography from the pandemic-era Black Lives Matter protests and nationwide ICE operations. The visual component was created by thefinaleye, highlighting the context in which the song emerges. In addition to the main track, the single’s eco-friendly 12-inch vinyl release includes a B-side titled “The Fly,” a spoken-word piece by Waits. This represents Waits’ first original solo work in 15 years, providing fans with a rare opportunity to hear new material from the artist outside of collaborations or acting projects. Massive Attack members Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall emphasized the significance of working with Waits, noting the track’s reflection of global unrest and the resurgence of authoritarian politics in the West. The duo also noted Del Naja’s recent arrest at a protest supporting the activist group Palestine Action, highlighting their ongoing engagement with political causes. The group has maintained a principled stance regarding digital music platforms, having requested in 2025 that their catalog be removed from Spotify due to concerns over the ethical implications of funding technologies linked to military and surveillance applications. Massive Attack are set to embark on a short European tour culminating in Niigata, Japan. Waits, whose last album was 2011’s Bad as Me, has focused mainly on acting in recent years, with roles in films such as 2025’s Father Mother Sister Brother and 2023’s The Absence of Eden. Fans and collectors can acquire the single and vinyl editions at select retailers, including Rough Trade, while live tour dates provide a chance to experience the duo’s politically charged new material in a performance setting.
