the guitars and bass in "living is a problem because everything dies" are in drop c tuning, which is a notable variation from biffy clyro's preferred tuning: drop d. the track features string and choir arrangements by hollywood composer graeme revell, performed by the seattle symphony orchestra. the band has used string sections before in the songs "with aplomb" and "now the action is on fire!" from 2003's "the vertigo of bliss", but this is the first time the band has worked with an orchestra. two tracks on "puzzle" include the orchestra. "machines" features a lone cello. the arrangement was written by the band themselves.