People who write Heligoland off as a generic trip hop album probably don’t have much experience with the genre. “Babel” incorporates breakbeat, for just one example. Heligoland is an intelligently-composed album that subtly incorporates unusual elements into its songwriting. The final product seems natural and unassuming—something that feels like it’s always been with you—when it’s actually something new. Always the same, always different. It’s the sign of a group that’s mastered their art and craft, a statement that defines Massive Attack.

Heligoland is built around light, sparse, and sporadic beats; essentially the opposite of the dense, textured landscapes Massive Attack painted in their previous albums. Heligoland isn’t groundbreaking in the way Mezzanine is, but it’s different from any other Massive Attack album, and potentially any trip hop album before and (currently) after it. The songwriting is quite good to boot, containing several of Massive Attack’s best, most haunting songs. I plan to write a more expansive review of this album in the future, but Heligoland deserves something said in its defense right now. It’s truly underrated and a notable trip hop album worth anyone’s time and attention.