Released 10 years ago
Ellipsis
Biffy Clyro · 2016
46 min · 13 tracks · indie rock
A dynamic blend of soaring melodies and introspective lyrics, underscored by a punchy indie rock foundation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wolves of Winter Start here — The opening track sets an energetic tone with its driving rhythm and powerful vocals, encapsulating the band's signature sound while introducing themes of conflict and resilience.
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Friends and Enemies — This track blends anthemic choruses with reflective verses, exploring the complexities of relationships and self-identity, making it a standout representation of the album's lyrical themes.
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Animal Style — With its catchy hooks and frenetic energy, this song exemplifies the band's ability to fuse heavy instrumentation with melodic sensibilities, appealing to both longtime fans and new listeners.
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Howl — This track showcases a more vulnerable side of the band, featuring poignant lyrics and a slower tempo that highlights emotional struggle, contrasting sharply with the album's more energetic moments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but has moments that feel less cohesive.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and anthemic choruses, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued arrangement with layered vocals.
- Several songs incorporate abrupt tempo changes, particularly in 'Flammable' and 'On a Bang', creating dynamic shifts in energy.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in intensity, allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo energy
- lyrical introspection and depth
- an anthemic sing-along vibe
- engaging while working or driving
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, standalone tracks
- seek purely upbeat party music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Debuted at number one, solidifying their status in modern rock.
- Career context
- Released as Biffy Clyro's seventh studio album, Ellipsis came during a period of significant commercial success following their 2013 album Opposites, which debuted at number one in the UK charts. The band continued to explore their sound while maintaining a strong connection with their fanbase, showcasing growth in lyrical depth and musical experimentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Arcane Roots· Enter Shikari· You Me at Six
Tracklist
- 1 Wolves of Winter Start here 4:08
- 2 Friends and Enemies 4:12
- 3 Animal Style 3:30
- 4 Re‐Arrange 3:37
- 5 Herex 3:57
- 6 Medicine 3:53
- 7 Flammable 3:07
- 8 On a Bang 2:38
- 9 Small Wishes 3:06
- 10 Howl 3:33
- 11 People 3:16
- 12 Don’t, Won’t, Can’t 3:18
- 13 In the Name of the Wee Man 4:25
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Broken Machine
Nothing but Thieves
Shares anthemic choruses and emotional depth with intricate rock arrangements.
Night People
You Me at Six
Explores similar themes of introspection and evolution in a vibrant rock sound.
How Did We Get So Dark?
Royal Blood
Combines accessible melodies with a complex, dynamic rock atmosphere.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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