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ALBUM REVIEW: Futique (BIFFY CLYRO)
- Tiana Speter
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
There is something genuinely magical about a band like Biffy Clyro. With a reputation as one of the biggest UK rock bands, captivating packed arena headline shows and iconic festival stages equally, the Scottish trio's cult status against an ever-changing industry almost seems to be made up of mystical elements impossible to tangibly pinpoint at first glance. But between the stalwart bond between the three childhood friends still kicking utter ass decades along in the journey, delectably eclectic musical tastes and styles, and a dedication for genuine connection, perhaps the recipe isn't as elusive as it may first appear. And it's via the band's tenth studio album Futique that they once again retain their crown as the masters of all things hooks, offbeat charm and rousing vulnerability; and this is a masterpiece that will repay with dividends with each returning listen.
Named for "those beautiful, sad and fleeting moments that only become significant in hindsight", as the band reveal in their press material, Futique opens with commanding effervescence via lead single A Little Love. Kicking in with a lilting piano line and cascading drums, A Little Love revels in warmth and fluctuating urgency and release, before Hunting Season hurls back to some nostalgic Biffy snarl, with its punkier leanings also opening into a soaring, melodic chorus that sharpens proceedings without feeling forced.
For anyone well-versed in the Biffy sonic universe, the softer shades of Shot One certainly won't surprise, but its glow up with some otherworldly ambience and futuristic sinews is a refreshing shift as the group touch on love, loss and a deeply stirring ode to hindsight. Next up, True Believer revels in delectable melodic crunches and sweeping reflection on pride and standing firm in an uncertain and increasingly negative word, with the track equally a timeless snapshot of the importance of hope and also hurling in Neil's punchy rasp and cleaner swoon against swaying backdrops.
Burrowing deeper into the Futique universe, Goodbye arrives awash in raw yet resplendent melancholy, offering a classic heart-wrenching Biffy ballad that abundantly showcases Simon Neil's magnetic vocal diversity (compare this to Empire State Bastard if you haven't already familiarised yourself with that insanely fun Neil side-project), before we dive over into firmer rock territory with Friendshipping. Touching on platonic relationships, and the long and often not-so-long bonds most of us share throughout our lives, Friendshipping also spotlights another undeniable factor at the core of Biffy Clyro's enduring legacy to the surface, namely that the core three Biffy members, Neil and brothers James Johnston and Ben Johnston, have traversed much of life together as friends first - and still genuinely like each other after all this time. This unbridled bond and a full-blown rock ricochet makes Friendshipping a fun yet stark contrast to Woe Is Me, Wow is You's introduction; an initially prismatic rumination that ultimately builds into an offbeat spark that glitters and flitters into It's Chemical!.
It's Chemical! is the type of song you'd expect to see charming crowds at some huge festival, laden with throwback Biffy offbeat rhythms and billowing singalong choruses, whereas A Thousand And One quickly up next feels simultaneously familiar and like a calm reprieve amongst a stripped-back instrumental glow. But its via Futique's penultimate track Dearest Amygdala that Biffy inject some neon glam to the brim, like a retro yet future-facing fist of synths and sweeping riffs, and with more polish than Meryl Streep's Oscar statue collection. And from the full-bodied vibes of Dearest Amygdala, we arrive at closing track Two People In Love; another buoyant outing coated in glossy piano lines, fluctuating meaty riffs, razor-sharp percussion and driving dynamics, that is also complete with a theatrical proggy outro to buffet you into blissful completion.
With its title heavily steeped in notions of nostalgia, Futique certainly don't skimp on heartfelt themes, reflections on love and loss, and gazing back at fleeting moments of beauty with a fond smile. But with Futique, Biffy Clyro also bridge between what has brought them collectively, personally and professionally, to this moment while also facing fearlessly ahead, embracing kooky additions, tongue-in-cheek nods and experimentation that would rarely work in anyone else's hands, resulting in a truly special and unique body of work. There's clear joy and connection throughout Futique, with a raw confidence that can only come with authenticity. And whether you're a longtime Biffy Clyro fan, a new arrival, or firmly in the middle on the fence, Futique is a the ultimate meeting point to begin or continue your journey with one of the most innovative and downright talented bands of this generation. Mon the Biff.
FUTIQUE - OUT NOW
BY TIANA SPETER
