Trip-Hop is an interesting genre some aren’t brave enough to give a chance. I’m going to go as far as as saying that most fans, stumbled upon it accidentally much like I did in the mid 1990s. It’s generally not as abrasive as industrial but far more tranquil and verbose than electronica. Fusing down-tempo hip-hop beats with atmospheric soundscapes and sometimes elements of jazz, soul, and funk, trip-hop is ambient’s younger, brooding sibling who stays out all night in Britain’s seediest underground clubs but still enjoys the pleasantries of a dance track. One of the most important acts of the genre is Massive Attack.
I could go on for hours about the history of Massive Attack and their importance to the genre and underground music in general, but for the sake of time and journalistic direction, I will just say they are arguably The Beatles of electronica. The helped bring trip-hop into the mainstream and as of today, still remain one of the most influential acts of the genre. In their first release in nearly six years, Massive Attack have returned with the four-song power house EP Ritual Spirit.
Straight out of the gate, the opening track “Dead Editors” sets the bar extremely high with it’s ominous landscape of throbbing bass, off-kilter down tempo beats, robotic blips and bleeps and aggressive vocal performance by Roots Manuva. The usage of Manuva’s rap isn’t of traditional hip-hop flow, instead it’s used as an instrument to set the foreboding mood of not only the track, but the rest of EP.
Next up, the title track “Ritual Spirit” continues the eerie atmosphere with a minimalist beat, dreary guitar riff and beautiful falsetto vocals from Azekel that manage to add an angelic nuance to a track that could stand shoulder to shoulder with other ambient masterpieces in Massive Attack’s repertoire. This is the first time I’ve heard of Azekel so I really can’t give much opinion of his works, but after hearing what he brought to the table on this track, I’m excited to hear what he has to offer on his own.
The standout track on the EP just so happens to be the lead single. “Voodoo In My Blood” is probably the most interesting track from Massive Attack since anything from 1998’s Mezzanine. The atmosphere of the previous tracks is cooked a few degrees thanks to a pulsing sub-bass riff and frantic chants of Young Fathers. Utilizing the colorful artistry of a younger, critically acclaimed Scottish hip-hop outfit without sounding like a mediocre cash grab, is a testament to Massive Attack’s masterful vision. Much like the opening track, the vocals are used as an instrument rather than a focal point, but instead of carrying a groove, Young Father’s chants elevate the tension to the point where it feels like it’s spiraling out of control at times.
The closing track “Take It There” is the first song since 1994 to feature Tricky, which by all definition should be the crowning achievement of the entire EP, but up against the three songs that came before it, comes off a bit underwhelming. On it’s own it’s a solid track that features gritty, slightly distorted vocals from Tricky and a melancholy piano/guitar riff that flirts with R&B and classic 1990s trip-hop in a way that only the Massive Attack/Tricky combo can deliver. With all nostalgia aside, “Take It There” should have been the opening track.
The only negative thing I really have to say about the EP is the fact that it’s only an EP and not a full length album. Even though the band promises another EP in the spring and a new full length album by this fall it makes me anxious to hear what they have planned exactly. The four songs featured on Ritual Spirit may already be superior to their previous album, 2010’s Heligoland, so why not hold off releasing them until a full album is completed? Does this mean this upcoming album will be even more exciting than these EPs? If that is the case, 2016 is going to be an exciting year for Massive Attack fans.
Rating: 4.5/ 5