Factory Floor – 25 25

A progressive shift from their debut...

As a band name, Factory Floor hardly suggests a polished sound; however the London-based outfit continue to restrain their previously neurotic and post-punk-tinged rave in their latest full-length. But don’t be mistaken, this sophomore LP is still way afar from squeaky-clean and chart-ruffling house – which is realised from the off as opening belches of acid-laced bass in ‘Meet Me At The End’ quash any suspicions of a commercial charge.

What’s particularly clear about ’25 25’ by the time you reach its title-track, a jittering and pitch-bent slap hazard sort of interlude (that ultimately leads nowhere), is a focus on an urgent, throbbing pulse. A stomping pulse, familiar to the ‘90s-worshipping underground clubs of today – that one you suddenly find yourself in whilst sobering between the obligatory gurner to your left and a dangerously out of control pint to your right.

Acutely minimalist, consistently ecstatic and relentlessly repetitive – the newly streamlined duo have moved further yet from a band setup and have firmly lodged themselves in the mitts of post-industrial techno.

But only when compared to genre-sharers such as Daniel Avery’s ‘Drone Logic’, you appreciate the difference between good and excellent. Avery’s use of contemporary production coupled with a more adventurous and dynamic composition keeps you on your toes, and makes his debut uniquely fit for club and late-night bedroom listening alike. This offering doesn’t boast these qualities.

Nevertheless, ’25 25’ is a sound addition to Factory Floor’s growing roster of material. It’s less of a seismic shift from their debut, and more of a progressive tweak towards something much bigger.

7/10

Words: Jordan Foster

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