Massive Attack return with ‘Boots on the Ground’ feat. Tom Waits: Listen

Massive attack just ended a six year silence with one of the most politically charged songs of the decade.

Even more exciting, though, is who they brought along for the ride. Tom Waits features on the track, marking his first new original music in a staggering 15 years. That alone makes this a genuinely historic moment for music fans everywhere.

So what does it actually sound like? The track draws clear comparisons to Waits’ gritty “Bone Machine” era. True to form, Massive Attack lay down their signature pensive, atmospheric production while Waits delivers his characteristically gruff vocals over the top. It is dark, brooding, and utterly magnetic.

Lyrically, the song pulls no punches whatsoever. It takes direct aim at US immigration crackdowns, the militarisation of domestic forces, and the politicians driving it all. This is protest music with real teeth, arriving at exactly the right moment.

Interestingly, the collaboration has actually been in the works for a very long time. Waits revealed that he accepted Massive Attack’s invitation to collaborate many years ago. He also noted that the long delay never once worried him, because a song like this would never go out of style. Given the current political climate, it is hard to argue with that.

The release also arrives loaded with wider context. Just days before the drop, Massive Attack’s Robert del Naja was among 523 people arrested at a Palestine Action protest at Trafalgar Square in London. Additionally, this marks the first Massive Attack release distributed under a Spotify exemption policy, following their very public and principled split from the platform over CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in military AI company Helsing.

On top of all that, proceeds from the vinyl release will go directly to the ACLU and the Immigrant Defense Project. The 12-inch also features a spoken word B-side from Waits, titled “The Fly.”

This is not just a comeback. It is a statement.