Massive Attack: 100th Window (180g) Vinyl 3LP

Do not file under trip-hop. 100th Window is effectively a Robert 3D Del Naja solo record, and consequently stands as Massive Attacks darkest, most expansive effort to date. Founding member Andrew Mushroom Vowles left the band following the brooding, guitar-oriented direction the band had taken during the recording of Mezzanine, and remaining bandmate Grant Daddy G Marshall didnt participate in the recording of 100th Windowdue to personalcommitments(but returned for the following album). With the help of producer Neil Davidge, Del Najahones in on the cinematic sound of sprawlingMezzanine standouts Angel and Teardrop, and turns in 9 of the densest, most claustrophobic tracks in the bands rich catalog, clocking in at nearly an hour and fifteen minutes. While Mezzanine still retained faint traces of the bands tender Nellee Hooper-produced urban grooves, 100th Window sees any shred of the bands jazz or rare groove roots smashed to pieces. The tradeoff comes in the form of chilling electronic-noir excellence like the densely-layered Future Proof and Small Time Shot Away, both featuring Del Najas lead vocals. Horace Andys ghostly voice sounds oddly at home on Name Taken and Everywhen, transcending the severed lineage between Massive Attacks soundsystem roots (with The Wild Bunch) and the icy sound of 100th Window into a sublime new phase of Andy and Massives ongoing collaboration (hes the only guest vocalist to have contributed to each one of the bands albums to date). Sinead OConnor never sounded as good as she does here, taking three of the albums most sinister cuts (Special Cases, What Your Soul Sings, A Prayer For England) to the next level with her bleak lyrics and urgent delivery. A headphones record for sure. 2017 saw much-needed official represses of Blue Lines, Protection, No Protection and Mezzanine, and Virgin are toasting 2018 in fine style with the first-ever vinyl represses of 100th Window and its elusive follow-up, Heligoland. Recommended.

• first-ever repress of Massive Attack’s fourth studio album
• 180g triple vinyl pressing
• tracklisting: A1. Future Proof, A2. What Your Soul Sings, B1. Everywhen, B2. Special Cases, C1. Butterfly Caught, C2. A Prayer For England, D1. Small Time Show Away, D2. Name Taken, E1. Antistar, F1. Hidden Track
• release date: TBD
• music label:Virgin 2018

reviewed by hannibal chew 12/2017