Futique is a dynamic return from Biffy Clyro

After reaching a mainstream audience with 2009’s Only Revolutions, the group has rarely looked back. Playing to sellout crowds the world over and with chart success, ten albums in and, 30 years together fans might question their continued relevance but the group dispel any concerns on an exhilarating 11 tracks full of their distinctive alt rock sound, that while familiar, also dabbles in some unusual sonics.

After releasing two albums during the pandemic years, cracks started to surface in the band’s relationship which led to one of the longest breaks in their career to date. After a period apart, the group reconnected, revisiting their earliest albums, a sound that is loud and clear on Futique. Recorded in Berlin, with images of Bowie and Iggy Pop in mind and in renewed high spirts, this is a record that feels like a group full of energy and with a point to prove.

There are flourishes of fresh sounds, perhaps brought on by the Berlin recordings. Opener “A Little Love” trades guitars for prominent synths, before moving to something more expansive and darker while finding the balance between familiar and new – a theme that is prominent across the record. There are strings lingering throughout that really bolster it.

“Shot One” also slightly defies expectations with a more electronic tinge and vocal effects that shift Simon Neil’s distinctive delivery slightly. Again, it reaches more familiar territory but it is refreshing to see the band frequently play with what we’d expect from them. “Hunting Season” is pure Biffy Clyro, from the opening gnarly riff. It’s one you can instantly picture going down a storm at both their own shows and with festival audiences with a truly epic outro.

While some of the tracks are rollicking from start to finish, the balance between softer, more melodic sounds and moments of visceral attack really makes this album stand out. “True Believer” is a perfect encapsulation of this, beginning in a more refined, stripped-back nature, it quickly unfurls into a different beast altogether, packing a real punch. Other tracks like “Goodbye” spotlight Neil’s vocals with a slower opening, before really building to a fearsome second half. The juxtaposition of lighter and darker moments keeps the listener on their toes and makes this a compelling listen from start to finish.

There are plenty of tracks that instantly feel like natural fits for Biffy’s memorable live shows “It’s Chemical” is a poppier track with a real anthemic feel to it, while “Two People In Love” with piano outro and interludes is the longest track on the record and feels like a future fan favourite. It is worth singling out the work of Ben Johnstone on drums across the record helping to balance the softer moments with all out attack.

At this stage in their career many may have written Biffy Clyro off as has-beens or solely a live band but Futique proves they can still more than pack a punch with newfound variety and depth to their sound. It’s a fascinating listen and ranks as one of their finest works to date.