Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia

Following their acclaimed trilogy that launched the anonymous collective into metal stardom, Sleep Token take an ambitious leap with Even in Arcadia. Still rooted in metal, the masked band venture fearlessly into techno, R'n'B, pop, and even rap territory. These diverse influences are woven throughout the album, creating something distinctly their own – though it makes pinning down a single genre almost impossible. 

The record opens with the haunting Look to Windward, a near eight-minute track where Vessel whispers 'Will you halt this eclipse in me?' before erupting into a powerful crescendo, with that line resurfacing in closing track Infinite Baths, giving the album a satisfying narrative arc. While the sound is fresh, lyrics dive into deeply personal territory. Standout single Caramel confronts the emotional toll on obsessive fan culture; with lines like 'They can sing the words while I cry into the bassline' and 'The stage is a prison', Vessel lays bare his mental state. Past Self offers a more radio-friendly sound with its pop and rap influences, but the emotional weight remains. Even in Arcadia is a rollercoaster of emotion filled with so many twists and turns it becomes, at times, overwhelming.

The masks may hide their identity, but the record’s lyrics don’t hide Sleep Token’s deep emotions. Even in Arcadia offers a window into the band’s psyche, while keeping audiences at arm’s length while inviting them to lose themselves in its emotional depths.

Listen to: Caramel, Provider, Damocles