The much-anticipated third offering from the Bristol trio is no disappointment; Mezzanine is one of the stand-out records of the year so far. Massive appear to have no scruples about following the success of Blue Lines and Protection with a deeper if not darker record. But while it may feel fresh Mezzanine retains all the classic Massive hallmarks.
There's an inspired choice of vocalist in ex-Cocteau Twin Elizabeth Fraser who lightens the load on tracks like the forthcoming single Teardrop. Horace Andy makes a welcome return and the coupling of feedback guitar with Sara Jay's vocals also makes Mezzanine a broad-ranging album which measures up to their previous work.
Needless to say, almost every magazine and quality newspaper around is desperate to write about Massive at the moment, and everything points towards this record selling faster than its predecessors. A tour is due to start on April 18.
