Every now and then, a song finds you again – like an old friend showing up at the perfect time. Protection by Massive Attack has been in my library for years, but YouTube’s algorithm brought it back this autumn, and it fits the season perfectly. That mix of warmth and melancholy, the gentle trip-hop rhythm, and Tracey Thorn’s unmistakable voice – it’s timeless.
Released in 1994 as the title track of their second album, Protection is one of Massive Attack’s most iconic works. The band, pioneers of the Bristol trip-hop scene, blended electronic textures with soulful restraint long before it became mainstream. The song’s production, with its deep basslines and slow, deliberate layering, still feels remarkably modern – and deeply human.
The accompanying music video, directed by Michel Gondry, is a visual marvel: a single continuous shot moving through a building at night, blending reality and dream, mirroring the song’s introspective mood. It’s one of those rare cases where sound and image truly become one.
And then there’s that final moment – after the last lyrics fade, when the piano suddenly shifts tone for the first time. It’s subtle yet breathtaking, like the emotional exhale of the entire track. A quiet, perfect resolution.
Both images are screenshots from the linked music video.
