It’s always a bit of an event when Massive Attack release something new, and as per usual it’s cutting edge stuff and as influential as ever. The title track “Split The Atom” opens the EP, and it sees founding members Robert Del Naja & Grant Marshall sharing the spooky vocals with long time cohort Horace Andy, accompanied by sinister organ and distant keyboards over a sparse low slung groove, resulting in a weird opium fuelled Victorian freakshow vibe. “Pray For Rain” sees TV On The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe take center stage, for a stunning beautifully tragic and dramatic performance, backed with tension building rolling drums and swirling atmospherics. Elbow’s Guy Garvey takes the radio mic lead on “Bulletproof Love (Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid Remix)”, stripped back and pulsing with an air of a very dark future. The closing “Psyche (Flash Treatment)” features Tricky’s old partner in crime Martina Topley Bird, doing her distinctive breathy best over deep and solemn old school synths. “Split The Atom EP” is a bit special to say the least. The new Massive Attack LP is due Febuary 2010. Watch this space.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Dean Thatcher
