The Band
Sleep Token is an English rock band formed in 2016. The band is known for being a masked group that remains anonymous. Their music can be described as experimental, blending and bending genres such as progressive rock, jazz, and hip-hop.
Band Members
- Vessel – lead vocals; studio guitars, keyboards, bass, production
- II – drums, percussion
- III – touring member; bass
- IV – touring member; guitars, backing vocals
- Espera – touring members; backing vocals
The Album
After cryptic signals and three successful singles (Emergence, Caramel, and Damocles), the band finally released their fourth studio album, Even In Arcadia, on May 9, 2025.
The Songs
1. Look to Windward. The opener track starts with a synth that creates a melody like an old video game. Unsettling vibe until a heavy breakdown comes, and it changes the tone of the track to a heavier one. The lyrics suggest a struggle, the contradiction between light and darkness, good and evil.
2. Emergence. Beautiful start with Vessel softly and melodiously singing, accompanied by a piano. Catchy interlude and heavy drop, R&B, and then the bridge and chorus are sweet again, all these to end with a gorgeous saxophone solo played by Gabi Rose. Total banger.
This was the first single of this album, here it’s the review I did a while ago: https://metalbere.com/sleep-tokens-latest-revelation-emergence-song-review/
3. Past Self. Chilled, relaxed, hip-hop song, but with a catchy rhythm as well as the lyrics. About processing self-change.
4. Dangerous. Eerie begins yet a beautiful vibe. Synth. I love this track, it reminds me of their song Vore. The lyrics tell a story of getting to know a romantic interest, but he can see that it’s going to be a complicated, toxic love.
5. Caramel. A music box’s melody turns to a reggaeton track with a sad tone. Then the breakdown and Vessel screams with anger, showing all of his repressed emotions of dealing with this situation. Mixed feelings that the band had to face about people leaking their identities, and their desire to remain anonymous, and letting the music be the protagonist. Yet still they appreciate the people who love their music and all the good things they’ve received. The price of fame is a blessing and a curse at the same time.
It’s disappointing that some people want to kill the magic that the band has tried to create. A beautiful landscape, a possibility to escape to a dreamy realm for a while, that is so meaningful to a lot of us, the fans.
Caramel is the second single of this album. I did a review of this song that you can read here: https://metalbere.com/the-inner-struggles-of-the-man-behind-the-mask-sleep-token-caramel-song-review/
6. Even in Arcadia. Musical jewelry box’s music, then a marvelous and gloomy piano, while Vessel sings. Emotional and epic. It ends with a cello and nature sounds. One of my favorite songs on the album.
7. Provider. Organ sounds. A fiery, sexy love song. No further description needed.
8. Damocles. It has a gloomy, emotional, and retro vibe, like a 70s or 80s ballad. A charming piano and the delivery of Vessel’s singing is almost like spoken words. Very personal lyrics, it’s like he’s doubting himself, about not always being able to fulfill the expectations of the fans. He sings that he can’t always make a great song, that these chords are boring. I don’t know what he refers to because I haven’t found any bad song, especially this one.
This track has some exquisite moments in which the heavy instruments drop and II goes crazy on drums, especially on the outro, to leave space for a lovely piano solo with which the song ends. Also, when Vessel sings “Until the tape runs out on me,” we can hear someone putting a cassette in a cassette player. An addition that helps to create this old-school feeling. Yet I don’t know if the younger fans will catch that detail. But it’s a nice touch, for sure.
Damocles is like the continuation of Caramel. Caramel was about the threat the band faces coming from outside, and Damocles it’s their internal fear of losing what they’ve achieved.
In Greek mythology, Damocles was a friend of the king Dionysus. He felt envious of the king and wanted to experience their privileges. The king granted him that wish, but he hung a sword above his head by a thread, a constant threat that would make him lose all at any moment. If we apply that to today, it could represent the phrase “be careful what you wish for”. Wanting fame and recognition, yet not taking into consideration the darkness and price that comes with it.
This was the third single of this album. If you want to read my previous and full review of this song, here it is: https://metalbere.com/another-preview-of-their-new-album-sleep-token-damocles-song-review/
9. Gethsemane. It begins with a piano and Vessel singing super high notes. About a toxic love, a one-sided relationship.
The first part is progressive rock, djent, spectacular, then a solid instrumental breakdown, a great guitar riff, and the last part is R&B. Gethsemane has some musical callbacks to Euclid.
In the Bible, Gethsemane refers to the garden where Jesus prayed the night before his crucifixion, so it could be applied here to a moment of raw reflection on this love that never was what he wanted to have.
10. Infinite Baths. The last song on this record. A ballad. An instrumental break. We can hear some colorful, jazzy guitar notes on the back, while Vessel is almost whispering the last words. Then II builds up for the breakdown. Vessel screams his heart out. Massive riffs and some chants in the back. Fading out, and the album is over. Amazing.
The last part of this track is the same melody that starts on Look to Windward, so it’s like a circular trip, like they’re going back to where the album started. Just genius!
Final Thoughts
This new offering is a 10/10 for me. A total masterpiece.
This is the first time that I listened to a Sleep Token new album when they released it, because the previous ones I listened to them as I got to know the band. So, the anticipation for this one was big.
This album is more emotional than the previous ones (if that’s even possible) regarding the lyrics and music. Also, a more personal portrait, from the point of view of Vessel, especially in songs like Caramel and Damocles.
It’s a raw delivery in which we see Vessel’s stripped heart being exposed through poetic lyrics. It’s not necessary to be adorned with so many elaborate instruments, except for II’s crazy abilities on drums and Vessel’s piano. Even though Gabi’s sax stands out, the most important thing here is the message and the feelings.
An even more divisive album, leaning more into hip-hop than rock. Sleep Token is an experimental band that’s not afraid to push the limits, and here, once again, they proved that.
We’re in May, I’ve listened to a lot of this year’s new album releases, and there’s still more to go. Yet, I dare to say that this album is a serious contender for this year’s Album of the Year (AOTY) and to get the first places, if not the first. What a magnificent work.
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Tracklist
- Look to Windward
- Emergence
- Past Self
- Dangerous
- Caramel
- Even in Arcadia
- Provider
- Damocles
- Gethsemane
- Infinite Baths