It’s no coincidence that Factory Floor work with DFA Records, a label co-founded by LCD Soundsystem mastermind James Murphy.
The London electronic trio makes hypnotic, dance-friendly music that sounds very much like… well, London. No strangers to their country’s rich musical history, the group has certainly absorbed a few Joy Division records in their day. Much like those ill-fated Manchester lads, Factory Floor are all about mood. Their songs rely not on technical virtuosity or conventional emotional appeal, but a brutal sense of unease. In different terms, a Factory Floor track evokes something like the feeling of being trapped in a box, but wanting to stay in said box to dance uncontrollably.
“Fall Back,” the first single off their forthcoming DFA debut, marks a subtle departure from previous material. The track features all their usual instrumentation – live and electronic drums, choppy synths and deadpan, alien-like vocals – but the mood is, dare I say, optimistic?! To further our ever-dependable Joy Division analogy, perhaps Factory Floor have made their transition to New Order-esque accessibility. “Fall Back” is a sparse, rhythmic tour-de-force, or, in other words, the kind of track that gives DJs a purpose. Factory Floor have succeeded in advancing their sound, and its appeal, without compromising a thing. Keep an eye peeled for their debut album, out later this year on DFA.