Massive Attack

'Splitting the Atom'

Cinematic soul seekers scout nightmare's edge.

Spin Rating8 of 10

Suggesting enormous dread through anxious details, this four-track preview of the Bristol trip-hop collective's long-awaited 2010 album slithers like adelicate monster. "Splitting the Atom" is a high-resolution snapshot of economic collapse, while "Pray for Rain" features TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe crooning over ominous piano and drums, then harmonizing with himself in a fleeting patch of sunshine. Sinister remixes of cuts fronted by Martina Topley-Bird and Elbow's Guy Garvey reconnect Massive to their stylistic descendants, while further refining their calm on the verge of chaos.

WATCH: Massive Attack mini-movie for Splitting the Atom

By Barry Walters

1 Van Halen 'A Different Kind of Truth'
2 Lana Del Rey 'Born to Die'
3 Cloud Nothings 'Attack on Memory'
4 Himanshu 'Nehru Jackets'
5 Kathleen Edwards 'Voyageur'
6 Leonard Cohen 'Old Ideas'
7 Imperial Teen 'Feel the Sound'
8 Of Montreal 'Paralytic Stalks'
9 The Mark Lanegan Band 'Blues Funeral'
10 Skrillex 'Bangarang'

1 Cloud Nothings 'Attack on Memory'
2 Cloud Nothings 'Attack on Memory'
3 Kathleen Edwards 'Voyageur'
4 The Mark Lanegan Band 'Blues Funeral'
5 The Mark Lanegan Band 'Blues Funeral'
6 Leonard Cohen 'Old Ideas'
7 Escort 'Escort'
8 Escort 'Escort'
9 Escort 'Escort'
10 Himanshu 'Nehru Jackets'

Massive Attack

'Splitting the Atom'

The Mark Lanegan Band 'Blues Funeral'

Of Montreal 'Paralytic Stalks'

Van Halen 'A Different Kind of Truth'

BUY: