Biffy Clyro // True Believer
Encouraging release from the Scottish Rockers
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
“True Believer” is the third singe released for the upcoming Biffy Clyro Album Futique. In many ways it delivers the heavy riffs and soaring choruses which fans expect, while also falling into the same traps as some of their recent output.
Biffy have never been a band afraid to experiment, every album has seen them bring in some new element which has allowed them to avoid repetition. Their 2020 release “A celebration of endings” delivered some great tracks, but lacked a sense of immediacy. This seemed to be resolved on the follow up companion album “The myth of the happily ever after” , with a palpable feral energy leading to the bloat of earlier albums being notably absent.
This momentum then flipped on Lead single “A Little Love”, as the first song for this new Futique era. Thankfully “True Believer” is an excellent track, elevating the riffs, lyrics and melodies beyond what we’ve seen so far from this album.
Opening with the strums of a chorus-bathed guitar and Simon Neil asking “how about now, do you want to be forgiven?” The track initially seems to be a ballad. The concepts of love and forgiveness have been prominent on the tracks released so far, exploring introspective themes with bombastic delivery. Shifting gears, the track then settles into a high octane rocker which flies through its four and a half minute runtime. During which, the band navigate several distinct song sections which alternate from gritty garage rock verses to arena sized choruses and heavy instrumental breakdowns.
“True Believer” will no doubt become a highlight of the bands upcoming Futique tour, delivering energy and a chorus made for mass sing alongs.
REVIEW BY: SAM MCNAUGHTON
