Released 10 years ago
The Spoils
Massive Attack · 2016
10 min · 2 tracks · electronica
A haunting blend of ethereal vocals and atmospheric production, capturing the essence of Massive Attack's signature sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Spoils — The title track encapsulates the blending of eerie melodies with poignant lyrics about loss and yearning, showcasing the duo’s trademark atmospheric production.
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Come Near Me — This track features a more rhythmic approach while still maintaining the group's atmospheric qualities, illustrating their ability to evolve within familiar sonic territory.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The tracks blend atmospheric production with rhythmic elements, showcasing Massive Attack's signature style while remaining cohesive.
What we noticed
- The first track features a slow build with layered synths and minimal percussion, creating a spacious atmosphere.
- The second track introduces a more rhythmic element with a steady beat, contrasting the ambient nature of the first.
- Both tracks utilize reverb and echo effects extensively, enhancing the ethereal quality of the sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued evolution and relevance after a long hiatus.
- Career context
- Released in 2016, The Spoils came nearly a decade after the band's previous studio album, Heligoland. It marks a return to form for Massive Attack, showcasing their continued evolution while still honoring their trip-hop roots. The project features collaborations with artists like Elizabeth Fraser, highlighting their consistent artistic partnerships.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Portishead· Tricky· Morcheeba
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Spoils 5:46
- 2 Come Near Me 4:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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