The music of Jake Stanczak is a unique journey.
Born out of an era where Ridley Scott imagined utopian futures on the silver screen, his artist project “Kill The Noise” has become synonymous with some of the leading acts in dance music after channeling the influences of his youth through a decade’s worth of forward driven electronic releases. His early impact on Skrillex’s label OWSLA kickstarted a career of mainstage performances, crossover hits and collaborations with the likes of Korn, Wiz Khalifa and Deadmau5.
The LA-based producer’s third studio album ‘HOLLOW WORLD’ is a testament to his abilities, showcasing the best of Kill The Noise through a boundary-pushing tracklist and visual identity. With over a decade under his belt, Kill The Noise is one of the few acts to continue challenging sonic norms and industry trends in the modern dubstep scene.
From the guest appearances to the music itself, HOLLOW WORLD stands out amongst the masses. Top grossing film composer Brian Tyler, indie rock band Joywave and fellow electro producer Feed Me are just a few of the names appearing on the record. Each collaborator provides fresh perspectives, and the album’s main themes are explored through sonic and lyrical harmony. Some tracks suggest a critique of modern media consumption (Empty adoration fills your cup) and the idea of speeding towards disaster in an effort to be right, just for the sake of it and regardless of what is actually true. Joywave evokes this on “Drive” (There’s nothing I could say / You wouldn’t listen anyway) before they’re swiftly drowned out by the noise.
The duality of touring life is at the forefront of the album. It treads back and forth between triumph and desperation, blurring the lines in standout moments. “I LUV U” is the loudest and most festival-oriented track on the album, driven by audience cheers and an orchestral drumline that relentlessly bangs up and down, pulling listeners to the peak of a mainstage set. Underneath, a phone call goes answered.
Throughout HOLLOW WORLD, Kill The Noise creates these moments of uncertainty. Brutal bass drops are preceded by interpolations of Jake’s son, and lighter moments are coupled with violent visualizers from Adult Swim animators at Augenblick Studios. It exists between the two worlds of fantasy and reality – sometimes flipping the concept of dance music as an escape and asking listeners to turn their attention
inwards, other times fully embracing the noise.
“The album delves deep into the complexities of the human spirit, revealing our virtues and vices. It uncovers the truth about our potential for change, whether it manifests as enlightenment or a descent into darkness.
‘HOLLOW WORLD’ serves as the backdrop for these emotional struggles and changes. Within its realm, these transformations materialize, morphing individuals into monstrous beings or transcendent figures. The journey of introspection becomes a courageous act, as some are fearful of confronting their inner selves, while others dare to embark on the path of self-discovery.” – Jake Stanczak (Kill The Noise)
As the official record label of melodic dubstep leader Seven Lions, Ophelia Records is a label that promotes independent dance music across a wide range of genres. In just five years, Ophelia has become one of the hottest labels in electronic music thanks to its tight-knit community and ability to connect fans of melodic bass, dubstep, trance, psytrance, drum & bass, house and beyond. With over 200 catalog releases from acts such as SLANDER, Excision, Kill The Noise, MitiS, Jason Ross, NGHTMRE, Wooli, Trivecta, Blastoyz, Crystal Skies and Last Heroes, Ophelia has multiple #1 iTunes dance records and has been supported on the covers of mint and danceXL with additional playlisting on New Music Friday, Dance Rising, Bass Arcade and SiriusXM BPM. The label has also sold out showcases at Echostage, Avant Gardner and Red Rocks, as well as hosted festival stage takeovers at Electric Zoo, Miami Music Week, Nocturnal Wonderland and more.
