| "Static" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Sleep Theory | ||||
| from the album Afterglow | ||||
| Released | February 5, 2025 | |||
| Length | 3:29 | |||
| Label | Epitaph | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Cowell | |||
| Sleep Theory singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Static" on YouTube | ||||
"Static" is a song by American rock band Sleep Theory. It is the third single and first track from their debut album Afterglow . It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in August 2025.
"Static" was released alongside the announcement of Sleep Theory's debut album, Afterglow. [1] The song is the opening track of the album and a music video was released concurrently with the announcement. [2] The music video features the band performing in a neon-violet–lit club and was directed by Orie McGinness. [3] [4]
According to Revolver , the track mixes driving, four-on-the-floor dance-metal beats with nu-metal style hooks. Cullen Moore uses auto-tune in his vocals, singing about feeling overstimulated and dealing with the "static" in his head. Daniel Pruitt adds aggressive growls, heavy riffs, and layers of synths and record-scratch effects. [3] The song opens with distorted guitars and screamed vocals over a punchy, funk-influenced beat, described by Wall of Sound as having a "metalcore-esque foundation". [5] The lyrics are about the constant noise and chaos of life and what it's like for the band experiencing rapid success. Moore talks about how interviews, shows, photoshoots, and social media accumulate, creating this mental "static" that he described as inescapable. [6]
Wall of Sound said the song is a memorable way to open the album, full of energy, and showed how the band can write hooks that grab your attention. [5] Loudwire stated it's packed with pure adrenaline, from the primal screams to the electro-driving beats and robotic-sounding vocals, noting that it features one of the longest-held screams that year. They also called it a standout from Afterglow. [7] Anne Erickson of Blabbermouth said the clean production never gets in the way of what the song is trying to say, pointing out that the song is loaded with emotional vocals, fired-up screams, and big, soaring riffs. [8] Melodic pointed out how much energy the song displays, with Moore's soulful singing going up against Pruitt's growls. The author liked how it mixes chaos and clarity, as representative of the band's musical identity on their debut album. [9] Melodic also mentioned that "Static" lets Pruitt cut loose with his screams, bringing a raw, aggressive edge to the song while still holding onto the band's soulful R&B rock roots. [10]
It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on August 23, 2025, their second song to do so. [11]
Weekly charts
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