Album Review: Sleep Token-Even in Arcadia

Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia (2025): A Track-by-Track Journey

Sleep Token just dropped their fourth album, and wow, they really went for it this time. Even in Arcadia sees the band refusing to stay in their lane, and honestly? It's exactly what we needed from them in 2025.

1. "Look to Windward"

Right from the jump, Sleep Token lets you know this isn't going to be a typical metal album. We're talking trap beats mingling with orchestral strings, synths that wouldn't be out of place on a pop record, and then BAM – those signature crushing guitars hit. At nearly eight minutes, it's a journey that keeps you guessing. Vessel's vocals are absolutely on fire here, and the production is just chef's kiss.

2. "Emergence"

This is Sleep Token at their absolute best. The track builds from intimate piano moments into massive 808s, then drops into pure metal madness before surprising everyone with – wait for it – a saxophone solo. Yeah, you read that right. It's the kind of track that'll convert newcomers while keeping the diehards happy.

3. "Past Self"

Okay, this one's going to split the room. "Past Self" sees the band leaning hard into pop territory with trap influences that'll definitely get it on playlists everywhere. It's catchy as hell, and while some longtime fans might side-eye the mainstream approach, you can't deny it's an earworm. This is 100% going viral on TikTok.

4. "Provider"

Sleep Token channels some serious R&B vibes here – think Usher meets progressive metal. Vessel's delivery is passionate and raw, turning what could've been a standard love song into something much more complex. It might throw some metalheads for a loop, but the emotional weight carries it through.

5. "Caramel"

Did someone say reggaetón? Because that's exactly what's happening here. The groove is infectious, and when Vessel switches from smooth singing to absolutely vicious screams, it's a reminder that Sleep Token can do literally anything. This track is going to open so many doors for them.

6. "Damocles"

Here's where things get real. The band gets introspective about fame and creative pressure, with Vessel literally admitting "I know these chords are boring / But I can't always be killing the game." It's refreshingly honest and shows the human side behind all that mystique. The vulnerability hits different.

7. "Dangerous"

Sleep Token throws trap and dubstep into the mix, and while it's ambitious, it gets a bit cluttered. The heavy guitars and intense screams create this suffocating vibe (in a good way), but Vessel's vocals sometimes get buried in the chaos. Still, you've got to respect them for pushing boundaries.

8. "Gethsemane"

This is where the album gets really interesting. We're talking folk, funk, hip-hop, and crushing metal all in one track. The song structure is wild – it keeps evolving and building toward this massive, bass-heavy climax. When Vessel starts rapping? Mind. Blown. This is the experimentation we love to see.

9. "Even in Arcadia"

The title track slows everything down for a haunting piano ballad that'll absolutely wreck you emotionally. It's cinematic, it's beautiful, and the lyrics dig deep into themes of love, loss, and memory. Even in paradise, we can't escape our past – heavy stuff, delivered perfectly.

10. "Infinite Baths"

They saved the heaviest for last. After starting on an uplifting note, Sleep Token unleashes absolute brutality. Vessel's growls are fiercer than ever, and the instrumental assault is relentless. For anyone worried the band went too soft, this closer is a massive middle finger to those doubts.

The Bottom Line

Even in Arcadia isn't playing it safe, and that's exactly why it works. Sleep Token has crafted an album that bounces between prog-metal, pop, R&B, trap, and even reggaetón while somehow maintaining their signature emotional intensity. Sure, some tracks lean more mainstream than others, but the band's willingness to experiment keeps things fresh throughout.

This is an album that demands multiple listens and rewards those who embrace its contradictions. Whether you're here for the heaviness or the hooks, Even in Arcadia delivers something for everyone – and that's no easy feat