Massive Attack plan 'gothic soul' album
The follow-up to '100th Window' is in the works

Massive Attack plan to release the follow-up to '100th Window' next year, NME.COM can reveal.

Mainman Robert 3-D Del Naja has been in the studio this year working on songs for the follow-up to their last album, released in 2003.

Writing recently online, 3-D said the new record has a "gothic soul direction", and five songs are nearing completion.

He said: "Been a fertile year. Lots of new recordings and talented people been in and out of our studio which has become home now. I have been trying out new and old techniques and have come up with a new gothic soul direction.

"We have recorded vocals on about 5 tracks and have vocals to put down on at least 15 before Xmas, which is drawing horrifically close."

Guest vocalists include longtime collaborators Horace Andy and Liz Frazer, Beth Orton and Terry Callier.

He concluded: "Thinking ahead to the tour, (we) will make changes as every other super group has bitten the hell out of the 100th Window' experience."

I've liked their last couple of "massive massage" kind of ambient things a lot, but I'm ready for them to try something else.