Balance, Not Symmetry (album)

Balance, Not Symmetry was issued on 17 May 2019, after the release of the title track the previous day.[1] It serves as the soundtrack for the film of the same name, which was directed by Jamie Adams and co-written by Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil.[2] Speaking about the writing process, Neil explained that "On meeting Jamie, we realised early on that we'd both had to deal with grief at a relatively young age and so it was interesting to talk about how we'd both dealt with it and the effect it had on us. And this is the main crux of the film, delving into the lonely world of grief and loss and coming out the other side."[3] Contrary to the typical approach to movie soundtracks, Balance, Not Symmetry was written alongside the production of the movie, rather than after the fact; according to Kerrang! writer Paul Travers, "[Biffy Clyro] weren't just given a movie treatment and asked to write music to fit. Instead, the songs influenced the film and vice-versa, with some of the lyrics and dialogue apparently interchanging".[4] Concurrently to the production of the soundtrack, the band worked on their eighth studio album A Celebration of Endings, which was released in 2020.[5]

According to AllMusic's Matt Collar, Balance, Not Symmetry features "many of the stylistic hallmarks that have made the band one of the more interesting and unpredictable alt-rock acts of their generation, including mutative prog rock songcraft, infectious choruses, and hard-hitting riffs juxtaposed with thoughtfully emotive pop lyricism".[6] Gigwise writer Dillon Eastoe noted that the album's lyrics focus primarily on "the thin lines between life and death, and finding solace and survival amidst the grief of losing someone", which he explained were "themes the film will confront".[7] Travers added that "Lyrically, there's more of a storytelling bent, as you might expect. Simon is perhaps less oblique than usual, although no less poetic at times".[4] Prior to the album's release, Neil explained that "I see it as six pairs of songs. There are a couple of songs that are acoustic and Nick Cave-y, there are a couple that are full-on electronic, a couple of songs that are weird hardcore songs, [and] a couple of big epic rock songs".[3]

• Simon Neil – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, percussion, marimba, strings, clapping, production
• James Johnston – bass, backing vocals, clapping, production
• Ben Johnston – drums, percussion, marimba, keyboards, backing vocals, clapping, production
• Adam Noble – bass, keyboards, synthesisers, organ, programming, production, engineering, mixing
• Jakwob – keyboards, programming
• Fyfe Dangerfield – piano
• Blair Mowat – programming, orchestral arrangements
• James Hockley – programming
• John Prestage – engineering
• John Paul Reid – engineering
• Ted Jensen – mastering

• Balance, Not Symmetry at Discogs