
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 - Blue Lines - 180gm - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £34.99, $46.89, €41.64 (New Item) (arrived 08-May-2025 16:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines (Sealed 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. Sealed from new, the vinyl is Mint & unplayed)#Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Blue Lines - 180gm - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £34.99, $46.89, €41.64 (New Item) (arrived 08-May-2025 13:27)
MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines (Sealed 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. Sealed from new, the vinyl is Mint & unplayed)#Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Daydreaming - UK - 7" vinyl - £12.00, $16.08, €14.28 (New Item) (arrived 29-Apr-2025 16:17)
MASSIVE ATTACK Daydreaming (1990 UK 7" vinyl single, also including Instrumental version, picture sleeve. The sleeve shows some creasing and light edgewear and the vinyl is Excellent with light play WBRS1)
- Massive Attack - Daydreaming - UK - 7" vinyl - £12.00, $16.08, €14.28 (New Item) (arrived 29-Apr-2025 08:39)
MASSIVE ATTACK Daydreaming (1990 UK 7" vinyl single, also including Instrumental version, picture sleeve. The sleeve shows some creasing and light edgewear and the vinyl is Excellent with light play WBRS1)
- Massive Attack - Blue Lines - 180 Gram Vinyl - Open Shrink - Dutch - vinyl LP - £30.00, $40.20, €35.70 (Back In Stock) (arrived 24-Apr-2025 16:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines (2016 Dutch 9-track LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl. The groups debut album originally released in 1991, one of the great British classics of the nineties, kicking off with the BillyCobham-sampled 'Safe From Harm' and including everything in between such as an inspired cover of WilliamDeVaughn's 'Be Thankful For What You've Got', the unstoppable hit 'Unfinished Sympathy' and the majestic closer 'Hymn Of The Big Wheel' with Horace Andy, all performed in their own natural tongue that put Bristol on the map; spot laminated picture sleeve with album credits inner. The sleeve retains its original open factory shrink wrap so displays minimal wear and the vinyl displays some very light cosmetic lines, which would not impact play on the heavyweight vinyl) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Protection - 180gm - UK - vinyl LP - £24.99, $33.49, €29.74 (Back In Stock) (arrived 24-Apr-2025 16:00)
MASSIVE ATTACK Protection (2016 UK/EU 10-track LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, first released in 1994, smoothly fusing dub, club & soul, featuring collaborations with Tracey Thorn & Tricky. Includes the singles Protection, Karmacoma & a live version of Light My Fire. Comes housed in a deluxe replica picture sleeve with the printed inner, still in the open shrinkwrap. The vinyl is Near Mint and looks barely played)
- Massive Attack - Blue Lines - 180 Gram Vinyl - Open Shrink - Dutch - vinyl LP - £30.00, $40.20, €35.70 (New Item) (arrived 23-Apr-2025 16:01)
MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines (2016 Dutch 9-track LP pressed on Audiophile quality 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl. The groups debut album originally released in 1991, one of the great British classics of the nineties, kicking off with the BillyCobham-sampled 'Safe From Harm' and including everything in between such as an inspired cover of WilliamDeVaughn's 'Be Thankful For What You've Got', the unstoppable hit 'Unfinished Sympathy' and the majestic closer 'Hymn Of The Big Wheel' with Horace Andy, all performed in their own natural tongue that put Bristol on the map; spot laminated picture sleeve with album credits inner. The sleeve retains its original open factory shrink wrap so displays minimal wear and the vinyl displays some very light cosmetic lines, which would not impact play on the heavyweight vinyl) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Massive Attack - Protection - 180gm - UK - vinyl LP - £24.99, $33.49, €29.74 (New Item) (arrived 23-Apr-2025 15:57)
MASSIVE ATTACK Protection (2016 UK/EU 10-track LP pressed on 180gram Vinyl, first released in 1994, smoothly fusing dub, club & soul, featuring collaborations with Tracey Thorn & Tricky. Includes the singles Protection, Karmacoma & a live version of Light My Fire. Comes housed in a deluxe replica picture sleeve with the printed inner, still in the open shrinkwrap. The vinyl is Near Mint and looks barely played)
eil.com – the world’s best online store for rare, collectable and out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987
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.