Requires massages, we hear (5)
I believe the answer is:
needs
'requires' is the definition.
('need' can be a synonym of 'require')
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
(Other definitions for needs that I've seen before include "Requires, is in want of" , "Essentials" , "Misses" , "Calls for" , "What is required" .)