Ritual Spirit is the first proper
Massive Attack release since 2010. All four of the EP's tracks were produced by the duo of 3D and
Heligoland associate
Euan Dickinson. It's all true to form: richly detailed and downcast tracks with vocals that, depending on the tempo, evoke urgent and creeping forms of fear and dread. They add younger voices to the mix, through Scottish rap group
Young Fathers and East London R&B vocalist Azekel, but they lead with veteran MC
Roots Manuva on the robust "Dead Editors." Additionally,
Tricky appears on "Take It There," its reverberant keys evocative of "Piano" off
Pre-Millennium Tension. Twenty years on from that -- and almost 22 years since "Karmacoma" -- the mood hasn't lifted for him or his longtime mates. ~ Andy Kellman