Biffy Clyro have released their 10th studio album, Futique, and it proves to be an incredibly inspiring collection of music. A combination of thought-provoking lyrics and powerful sound, many of the songs hit you right in your heart. The album has a pop-punk feel, but Biffy Clyro do not neglect their rock music roots, and their moments of aggression throughout Futique give attention to the messages of their songs. Whether they are tackling themes of love, pain, or insecurity, they do so cleverly, and the clear hard work behind each song pays off, because this album is a wholly fun listening experience.
Futique opens with ‘A Little Love’, which is also the first song from the album the band released. It has an eerie opening, where lead singer Simon Neil reflects on a toxic person in his life, but it does not continue this way, and Neil sings the chorus with hope.
“With a little love / If you want it / We can conquer it all.”
You can imagine the joy of singing these lyrics in a crowd. It’s a truly beautiful song about the need for support from others, and the mix of tense verses and a powerful chorus capture a fear of vulnerability before the emotional release of asking for help.
Next is ‘Hunting Season’. Neil sings in the same pop-punk voice that scratches your ears nicely, but this time, he is angry. He seethes at those who judge us without knowing us, and the metaphor of feeling hunted when under this scrutiny is a clever and accurate description of how violent other people’s hatred can be. The verses are fast and rough, whilst the chorus is slower, but louder, meaning the main message of the song is never lost. They use a similar form for ‘Friendshipping’, an interesting tune that explores platonic relationships, how they can be both wonderful and damaging, and the natural end some come to. Slowing down the chorus and giving it space means listeners can reflect on the band’s lyrics — this is a good thing, as they often have something interesting to say. The variation in rhythm throughout also means we are never bored when listening to Futique.
‘True Believer’ is the best song on the album. A gentle opening shows off the tenderness of Neil’s voice, but like many Biffy Clyro songs, the energy soon ramps up. Similar to ‘A Little Love’, this song preaches hope, but it is much harsher in tone. It does not beat around the bush, and leaves with you no other option but to believe in yourself. The lyrics about fighting your way through the darkness combined with powerful backing vocals leaves you feeling inspired. It fills a warmth in your chest, and is a song you must play if you’re in a position of self-doubt, because you certainly won’t be after taking this tune in.
As the album comes to a close, moments of slower self-reflection take centre stage. ‘A Thousand And One’ is an honest admission of being in the wrong in a relationship. Once again, Biffy Clyro shows their ability to be vulnerable, and this is a large reason why Futique is so powerful. The final track, ‘Two People In Love’, similarly contains vulnerability, but it ends the record on a positive note. Neil wears his heart on his sleeve, singing about how life can be simple and achievable when you’re surrounded by love. The soft lyrics combined with hard-hitting instrumentals feels like the perfect way for the band to end their 10th album.
Futique is a deeply insightful collection of music, and Biffy Clyro once again prove themselves as excellent musicians and lyricists. The album is varied in themes, sounds, and volumes, so you can trust you will never be bored whilst listening. Inevitably, at least one song on this record will hit you deeply, so I would recommend it whether you are a fan of rock music or not. Clearly, Biffy Clyro are unafraid of being vulnerable, and this is what makes Futique an excellent and inspiring celebration of love, both to yourself and to others.
Words by Amy Gaffney
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