Album Review: Biffy Clyro, Futique

After a 30-year career as rock’s most reliable riffers, the foundations of Biffy Clyro began to crumble at the beginning of the decade, leading to an unofficial break. A first for the multi-million selling Scots, by many accounts, soon after they downed tools, they unravelled. Comeback LP Futique is the sound of a group starting to knit themselves back together again, and it’s a record that roars “we’re still here and have plenty to say”.

As you might expect given their recent history, there’s plenty of soul searching on their first album in four years. There’s also a mammoth amount of face-melting riffs, ferocious breakdowns and euphoric melodies. “With a little love / If we’re honest we can defeat them all”, singer/guitarist Simon Neil croons on fiery opener ‘A Little Love’, which perfectly sets the tone.

Old school fans will adore the bullish ‘True Believer’, which throws in some of their trademark wonky riffs when you least expect them, while the heart-swelling ballad ‘Woe Is Me, Woe Is You’ is vintage Biff. Driven by the defiant hook “This ship is built to last”, it’s a giddy, gritty and glorious listen.

Sounding both fresh and familiar, Futique is one of Biffy Clyro’s very best.

9/10