REVIEW: Factory Floor Streams Avant-Garde Video for New E.P. “Wave”

Factory Floor released their new album 25 25 earlier this Summer, as well as selling out London’s ICA to boot. Now the duo are wrapping up 2016 with a new video for their most applauded track off the album ”Wave.” Directed by Gabe Gurnsey, the video was filmed over a three week period and captures a frantic journey from the urban city-scape to the rural settings of the English / Welsh borders.

”Wave” is 25 25’s most successful experiential outcome. Stomping around a heavy, sub-Saharan Afro beat, it clashes synthetic FX—balloon squeaks, purring bass and asymmetrical patterns. It seems to have a heightened illusion, that nods back to the holographic trance states of older tracks like ”Fall Back” and ”(R E A L L O V E).” That feeling of ambiguity doesn’t translate for the rest 25 25: the sensory complexities are far fainter, and more consistent.

When asked to describe the video for ‘Wave’, Gabe said:

“Much like the album contents and lyrics the idea was to leave the video to the viewers / listeners own interpretation, sitting somewhere between abstract and suggestive. People tend to apply Factory Floor’s music to dance floor environments but for me, when we are writing and creating records and sounds, the idea of journey and escapism through nature is always prominent.”

In addition to the visual montage, Factory Floor have confirmed an additional set of UK dates in January, February and March 2017. A full list of shows can be found below.

The post-industrial London based band, recently streamed a remix for ‘Wave’ by Jlin, and stated that they are set to participate in a new Tate commission by French avant-garde artist Philippe Parreno. The exhibition runs until 2nd April 2017.

Inspired by playing a growing number of late night club shows, the pair’s music gradually evolved into the sound captured on their second album and in their current live incarnation: a stark, ultra-minimalist and eerily soulful dancefloor pulse, yet one that still bears Factory Floor’s unmistakable hallmarks of hypnotic repetition and brutal intensity. This time mixed with razor-sharp precision by the acclaimed David Wrench (FKA Twigs, Caribou).

Tour Dates

Sat 21 Jan Brest, FR Astropolis Festival
Sat 28 Jan Barcelona, ES The Loft – Razzmatazz
Sat 18 Feb Bristol, UK IMAX Cinema
Thu 16 Mar Glasgow, UK SWG3 (Quadrophonic PA)
Sat 18 Mar Manchester, UK The White Hotel
Thu 30 Mar London, UK

Factory Floor “Wave” (Official Video) – DFA RECORDS

Video by Factory Floor
Directed & Edited by Gabe Gurnsey
Filming assisted by Tilly Morris & Ron Gurnsey

Purchase the new EP on digital, disc or vinyl via Rough Trade’s website.