Massive Attack reissue Mezzanine album as DNA-encoded spray paint
Massive Attack have announced that they are releasing a remastered version of their 1998 album ‘Mezzanine’ as a can of spray paint. This isn’t one of those QR code deals though – the album is actually inside the paint itself as audio encoded DNA.
Yeah, that all sounds quite complicated and confusing, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, it is. Earlier this year, the band announced that they’d encoded the album into DNA. You can try to get your head around that process in this academic paper here.
With that DNA now mixed into the black paint that fills these spray cans, they reckon that each can contains one million copies of the album. Not sure if they’re all chart eligible though.
As well as being a mind-bending way to release a record, the unusual piece of merch is also a nod to the frequent rumours that anonymous street artist Banksy is actually Massive Attack’s 3D, who says of the new release: “It’s a creative way to store your back catalogue, although DNA-encoded spray paint is unlikely to be adopted by street artists seeking anonymity”.
The remastered version of ‘Mezzanine’ is also available in other more traditional, easier to listen to formats.
[from CMU Daily]Collecting more tangible vinyl records, CDs, Posters and more by Massive Attack? Here are the recently added items or click here for our full stock:
- Massive Attack - Protection - 1st - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £75.00, $92.25, €88.50 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jan-2025 18:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Protection (1994 UK first press 10-track LP, featuring collaborations with Tracey Thorn & Tricky & including the singles Protection & Karmacoma plus a live version of Light My Fire, picture sleeve with picture inner. The sleeveis Excellent with few signs of shelf wear & the vinyl is clean & in Excellent condition with barely any signs of play - a superb copy! WBRLP2)
- Massive Attack - No Protection - UK - vinyl LP - £75.00, $92.25, €88.50 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jan-2025 18:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK vs MAD PROFESSOR No Protection (1995 UK 8-track LP, invoking the time-honoured Jamaican tradition of the dub album, reworked by a mixing board auteur Mad Professor, fantastic Stephen Bliss artwork picture sleeve. The sleeve shows minimal shelfwear & the vinyl remains in near 'as new' condition with few signs of play WBRLP3)
- Massive Attack - Massive Attack V. Mad Professor Part II (Mezzanine Remix Tapes '98) - UK - 12" vinyl - £24.99, $30.74, €29.49 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jan-2025 18:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK V. MAD PROFESSOR Massive Attack V. Mad Professor Part II [Mezzanine Remix Tapes '98] (2019 UK/EU Limited Edition 8-track 12" EP, pressed on Heavyweight Pink Vinyl. Complete with the printed die-cut inner, the picture sleeve is still in its open shrinkwrap with the vertical hype sticker attached & the vinyl is Near Mint)
- Massive Attack - Massive Attack V. Mad Professor Part II (Mezzanine Remix Tapes '98) - UK - 12" vinyl - £24.99, $30.74, €29.49 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jan-2025 10:01)
MASSIVE ATTACK V. MAD PROFESSOR Massive Attack V. Mad Professor Part II [Mezzanine Remix Tapes '98] (2019 UK/EU Limited Edition 8-track 12" EP, pressed on Heavyweight Pink Vinyl. Complete with the printed die-cut inner, the picture sleeve is still in its open shrinkwrap with the vertical hype sticker attached & the vinyl is Near Mint)
- Massive Attack - No Protection - UK - vinyl LP - £75.00, $92.25, €88.50 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jan-2025 09:54)
MASSIVE ATTACK vs MAD PROFESSOR No Protection (1995 UK 8-track LP, invoking the time-honoured Jamaican tradition of the dub album, reworked by a mixing board auteur Mad Professor, fantastic Stephen Bliss artwork picture sleeve. The sleeve shows minimal shelfwear & the vinyl remains in near 'as new' condition with few signs of play WBRLP3)
- Massive Attack - Protection - 1st - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £75.00, $92.25, €88.50 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jan-2025 09:47)
MASSIVE ATTACK Protection (1994 UK first press 10-track LP, featuring collaborations with Tracey Thorn & Tricky & including the singles Protection & Karmacoma plus a live version of Light My Fire, picture sleeve with picture inner. The sleeveis Excellent with few signs of shelf wear & the vinyl is clean & in Excellent condition with barely any signs of play - a superb copy! WBRLP2)
- Massive Attack - Massive Attack E.P. - UK - 7" vinyl - £15.00, $18.45, €17.70 (Back In Stock) (arrived 06-Dec-2024 18:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Massive Attack E.P. (1992 UK 4-track injection moulded 7" vinyl EP including Home Of The Whale plus remixes of Hymn Of The Big Wheel, Be Thankful For What You've Got and Any Love, housed in the original card picture sleeve WBRS4)
- Massive Attack - Massive Attack E.P. - UK - 7" vinyl - £15.00, $18.45, €17.70 (New Item) (arrived 05-Dec-2024 09:06)
MASSIVE ATTACK Massive Attack E.P. (1992 UK 4-track injection moulded 7" vinyl EP including Home Of The Whale plus remixes of Hymn Of The Big Wheel, Be Thankful For What You've Got and Any Love, housed in the original card picture sleeve WBRS4)
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I’d like to order the spray paint if they are releasing it. How can I get a copy?
Hi Ian, I’m not sure how … follow the link to the news article and explore from there.