Boots On The Ground

Massive Attack and Tom Waits release a new collaboration on a 12" vinyl single, “Boots On The Ground”, with an exclusive to vinyl b side provided by Waits, a droll and sardonic spoken word piece entitled “The Fly”.

An accompanying film created by Massive Attack, working with US photo artist “thefinaleye”, will be available via the band’s digital platforms. This evocative, high intensity montage 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 militarisation of domestic forces, and state authoritarianism.

“Boots On The Ground” is the 1st Massive Attack music distributed under a Spotify exemption policy. Further releases are scheduled prior and subsequent to the band’s run of live performances, including their forthcoming European tour and summer festival headlines.

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.

Play It Again Sam Records, July 31st, 2026.