Massive Attack // Heligoland

At last long, this Bristolian steadfast Trip-Hip duo, are able to boast the release of their fifth full studio album. Thankfully I can say that musically this one lies a lot closer in both mood, production and melody to that of Mezzanine, than its predecessor 100th Window. Massive Attack have always made a name for themselves by somehow finding beauty within darkness, but with 100th Window things got all out of hand on the gloomy front, but not so this time around. As expected from all their previous works a number of guests have been drafted in to complete this recording. In all honesty this is a pretty unbelievable line-up. The album opens with slow builder ‘Pray For Rain’ which features TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, then continues with mesmerizing performances from Martina Topley-Bird, old cohort and Reggae legend Horace Andy, Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star, and as well as production credits, the unflappable Damon Albarn offers his vocal talents on the downbeat yet stellar ‘Saturday Come Slow’ Founding members Daddy G and Robert '3D’ Del Naja are present and on top form throughout, making ‘Heliogland’ undoubtedly one of the finest releases 2010 is likely to see.