Photo Credit: Eva Pentel
Ayrshire’s finest Biffy Clyro released their much anticipated tenth studio album Futique earlier this month to critical acclaim. This is a record that explodes with energy from the get go, as the lead single from the album A Little Love grips on hard until the final notes of Two People In Love. It may have been four years since Biffy’s last album The Myth Of The Happily Ever After, but it was well worth the wait as the trio hit top form on a record that tugs at the heart strings, as well as offering their own take on alternative rock music. Even the album title of Futique is interesting in itself with a cross meaning of future and antique.
We were lucky enough to catch Biffy Clyro headline Saturday night at TRNSMT Festival this year and it really was a special moment for both the band and the crowd, allowing them to play a couple of the singles from Futique to a great response.
The first two tracks, A Little Love and Hunting Season, were singles head of Futique and gave their massive fanbase a sneak peak of what was to come later. The former is piano-led, before the crunching drums of Ben Johnston lead us into three-and-a-half minutes of rock mayhem, as Simon Neil sings in his usual raspy vocal style on the opening lines, “I can’t divorce you, you put me through hell/what the spirit wants, the spirit gets, oh well.” Hunting Season immediately explodes with life with Neil’s vocals very cutting indeed, while Shot One is another of the standouts from an album that is so reflective and hard hitting at times. This track has a wonderful mix of guitar and keyboard moments.
On True Believer Neil asks the question: “How about now? Do you want to be forgiven for the fucking millionth time? If you don’t believe then what’s the difference?” The vocals in Goodbye seem to explore a relationship break up in almost ballad form… well, as close as The Biff will maybe ever get to one! The guitar drop from Neil slap bang in the middle of the song is outstanding, but of course not forgetting twin brothers James on bass and Ben Johnson on drums, who make up the rest of the trio.
Friendshipping continues in the same vein, while Woe Is Me, Wow Is You begins very gently before breaking into a collective burst of energy that hits your heart. The backing vocals from James and Ben are a standout here. The record continues with A Thousand To One, another of the slow ones which we’re sure will go down well during the band’s upcoming tour, while Dearest Amygdala is also well worth a listen. The album closer Two People In Love begins with a soulful piano riff, before Neil makes his mark on the song.
It is always such a pleasure to review an album from an Ayrshire band coming not too far from my home in Saltcoats. The trio head out on a UK and European tour early in 2026 and is one not to be missed, because after all there aren’t many bands out there like Biffy F**king Clyro.
10/10
Standout Tracks: A Little Love, Shot One, True Believer, Two People In Love
For Fans Of: Foo Fighters, Queens Of The Stone Age, Twin Atlantic
Written by: Alan Brown
