Today is an historic occasion: There's a new Tom Waits song in the world. "Boots On The Ground" is Waits' first new original release since 2011's Bad As Me, though he released a "Bella Ciao" cover with Marc Ribot in 2018. It's also the first new Massive Attack song since 2020's Eutopia EP. "Boots On The Ground" is billed as the first in a series of new releases from the legendary trip-hop group ahead of their upcoming live dates. It's also the first Massive Attack release to be withheld from Spotify per their stated wishes. Waits' son Casey contributes additional vocals.
"Boots On The Ground" is a protest song. "Now who the hell are these federal pricks?
Hiding in the Senate like a bloated-ass tick," he sings at one point. "Air-conditioned fuckstick loafers/ Sittin' in a room full of army posters." Waits says the song was recorded years ago but remains perpetually relevant. Its video created by Massive Attack featues thefinaleye's photography documenting the sad state of America today, and it provides lots of horrific stats about ICE, crackdowns on protesters, homelessness among veterans, and more. The song will be released on eco-friendly 12" vinyl with a spoken word B-side by Waits titled "The Fly."
A statement from Massive Attack:
It’s a career honour to collaborate with an artist of the magnitude, originality and integrity of Tom, but this track is arriving in an atmosphere of chaos. Across the western hemisphere, state authoritarianism and the militarisation of police forces are fusing again with neo-fascist politics. Seen within the American emergency, at home and overseas, this track contains pulses of callous impulse & abandoned mind.
And one from Waits:
One day many years ago, I accepted an invitation from Massive Attack to collaborate. Their long release delay never worried me. Today, as in all of mankind's yesterdays, guarantees this type of song will never go out of style. Man's folly of fiascos is a feast for the flies. Hence, the B side of Massive Attack’s upcoming 12 inch "The Fly" features my appreciation for the winged nuisance.
Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, who is apparently not Banksy, shared a statement this week criticizing Britain's treatment of anti-Israel protesters and lamenting that the British government did nothing to stop the genocide in Gaza. The statement came after Del Naja was among 500 people arrested at a demonstration Saturday in London's Trafalgar Square protesting the nation's ban on the pro-Palestine direct action network Palestine Action.
“Throughout the Israeli genocide in Gaza most people, myself included, felt like they were gradually going mad. How could the world, including the British government, possibly allow this to happen?
“That sense of madness was compounded by the inexplicable policies of many British news outlets (including the BBC) who refused to name the identity committing one atrocity after another, after another. It was Israel, & everybody knew it was Israel. Why wouldn't they say so?
“On the topic of madness, in Britain in 2026 you can be arrested under the Terrorism Act for sitting in silence, holding a cardboard sign stating that you oppose genocide & support non-violent action to prevent it.
“Of course, everyone knows this is total madness (including many of the police officers making these arrests, and the High Court judges who recently ruled them unlawful), and yet, somehow it continues.
“Everyone also knows that the sheer desperation of ‘Palestine Action’ activists vandalising military equipment isn't terrorism. No one actually believes that.
“Many members of, & senior advisers to this government belong to a ‘war is peace’ ideological party block that ignored millions of peaceful marchers to illegally invade Iraq. Their brand of arrogance & callous indifference creates the human desperation they’re hellbent on crushing in the courts.
“The sense of madness can be overcome. We can demand that our government upholds international laws that previous generations sacrificed their lives for. UK citizens will feel less desperation (& our overwhelmed courts will be quieter) if our country acts with the integrity of neighbours such as Spain; calmly declining the use of their territory & assets for illegal US/ Israeli war crimes.
“To these vital ends, a few hours in police custody under unlawful arrest is a very small price to pay. Our democracy, & the civil rights & liberties that now sit in constitutional law were literally built on small actions like these. Perhaps that's why this draconian government wants to crush them?
“Free Palestine. No wars.”
Robert Del Naja.
Watch the "Boots On The Ground" video below.
"Boots On The Ground" is out now via Play It Again Sam. The 12" vinyl with "The Fly" is available for pre-order here.
