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 - Mezzanine - 180gm - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £29.99, $38.69, €35.39 (New Item) (arrived 01-Apr-2025 16:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Mezzanine (2013 UK/EU issue of the 1998 11-track double LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, the classic third album by the English trip-hop group, including Angel, Risingson & Inertia Creeps. Comes housed in a deluxe single-pocket picture sleeve with picture inners. The sleeve is still in the shrinkwrap & the vinyl is Mint & unplayed) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Mezzanine - 180gm - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £29.99, $38.69, €35.39 (New Item) (arrived 01-Apr-2025 14:27)
MASSIVE ATTACK Mezzanine (2013 UK/EU issue of the 1998 11-track double LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, the classic third album by the English trip-hop group, including Angel, Risingson & Inertia Creeps. Comes housed in a deluxe single-pocket picture sleeve with picture inners. The sleeve is still in the shrinkwrap & the vinyl is Mint & unplayed) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Massive Attack V. Mad Professor Part II (Mezzanine Remix Tapes '98) - UK - 12" vinyl - £34.99, $45.14, €41.29 (New Item) (arrived 31-Mar-2025 17:00)
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 - £34.99, $45.14, €41.29 (New Item) (arrived 31-Mar-2025 10:14)
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 - Blue Lines - 180gm - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £30.00, $38.70, €35.40 (Back In Stock) (arrived 29-Mar-2025 17:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines (2016 UK/EU 9-track LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, the group's classic debut album from 1991, housed in a deluxe & spot lacquered picture sleeve with the album credit inner. The sleeve is Excellent with little shelf wear, the vinyl is clean & in Excellent condition with a few minor paper scuffs not affecting play)#Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Blue Lines - 180gm - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £30.00, $38.70, €35.40 (New Item) (arrived 28-Mar-2025 11:42)
MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines (2016 UK/EU 9-track LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, the group's classic debut album from 1991, housed in a deluxe & spot lacquered picture sleeve with the album credit inner. The sleeve is Excellent with little shelf wear, the vinyl is clean & in Excellent condition with a few minor paper scuffs not affecting play)#Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Mezzanine - 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £39.99, $51.59, €47.19 (New Item) (arrived 26-Feb-2025 11:34)
MASSIVE ATTACK Mezzanine (UK/EU 11-track double album 2-LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, their classic third studio album originally released in 1998. Here Massive Attack recruit a live band, while maintaining their trademark downtempo sound. Tracks such as Angel, feature stark production accompanied by Horace Andy's beautiful vocal. Teardrop featuring Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins, brings a new life and emotion to their trip-hop sound. And Inertia Creep has a life all of its own. A masterpiece as good as their debut. Picture sleeve, factory sealed. Essential) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Superpredators (Mad Professor Mix) - UK - 12" vinyl - £20.00, $25.80, €23.60 (Back In Stock) (arrived 11-Feb-2025 17:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Superpredators (Mad Professor Mix) (1987 UK 1-track one-sided vinyl 12" with hand-annotated white labels, plain-die-cut sleeve. The vinyl has just a couple of hairlines scuffs leaving it Excellent WBRTXDJ8)
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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.