Sleep Token’s Bold New Chapter: A Review of ‘Even In Arcadia’
In a bold move, anonymous collective Sleep Token has released their latest album, ‘Even In Arcadia’, marking a significant shift in their sound and style. According to a review by Rolling Stone UK, the album is a departure from their previous work, showcasing a more vibrant and colourful sound.
The UK-based band has been making waves in the music scene, captivating audiences with their unique blend of melody, menace, and mystery. As Rolling Stone UK notes, "metalheads gravitate to their crushing riffs, TikTok buzzes for their sexy R&B rhythms." The band’s enigmatic frontman, Vessel, has become a subject of fascination, with many speculating about his true identity.
One of the defining characteristics of Sleep Token is their air of mystery. As Rolling Stone UK observes, "Vessel and his bandmates don’t give interviews, there is no bio bulging with hyperbole to accompany this album launch, even traditional music videos have been eschewed in favour of low-key, screensaver-like animations." This mystique has led to a devoted fan base, with enthusiasts analysing every aspect of their output, from music and lyrics to artwork and symbolism.
The review by Rolling Stone UK highlights the album’s themes of darkness and sensuality, trauma and the subconscious. As Vessel sings on the album’s seventh track, "I wanna be a provider… Your outer shell, your secret insider… Your guiding hand, your final decider…" The lyrics leave listeners questioning whether Vessel is expressing devotion to a dependent or addressing the audience directly.
‘Even In Arcadia’ marks a significant departure from Sleep Token’s previous work, with a more pop-oriented production and a focus on melody. The album features ten tracks, including lead single ‘Emergence’, which teases a shift towards a bigger, poppier sound. Other tracks, such as ‘Caramel’ and ‘Damocles’, showcase the band’s ability to craft catchy, R&B-infused anthems.
According to Rolling Stone UK, the album’s opener, ‘Look To The Windward’, serves as a bridge between their earlier sound and new direction. The track is a compelling sonic journey, featuring a mix of internalised soul-searching, painful metamorphosis, and glowing rebirth. Other standout tracks include ‘Past Self’, ‘Dangerous’, and the title track ‘Even In Arcadia’, which showcases Vessel’s impressive vocal range.
However, the review notes that the album is not without its drawbacks. The inclusion of traditional heaviness in some tracks feels disjointed and formulaic. As Rolling Stone UK observes, "what’s holding ‘Even In Arcadia’ back, is the sense on so many other songs that they need to find space for traditional heaviness."
Ultimately, ‘Even In Arcadia’ is an album that will polarise fans and critics alike. As Rolling Stone UK concludes, "whether the hardcore Sleep Token audience sees that as a valid criticism, or whether they are willing to credit it as a valid expression of thematic division will depend on personal taste and how deep into the cult they’ve already gotten." One thing is certain, however: Sleep Token is a band that continues to push boundaries and defy expectations.
The album’s release is set to coincide with Sleep Token’s upcoming headline performance at Download Festival. As Rolling Stone UK notes, the band is poised to take their place as one of the most exciting and enigmatic acts in the music scene. With ‘Even In Arcadia’, Sleep Token is cementing their reputation as a force to be reckoned with, and fans are eagerly anticipating their next move.
The publication also adds that hitting play on the full album it is clear that although Sleep Token aren’t trying to alienate anyone, neither will their progress be stalled for fear of leaving some OG fans behind. Near eight-minute opener ‘Look To The Windward’ serves as a bridge connecting their more wounded earlier sounds with the swaggering new direction and ‘Infinite Baths’ finally descends into an extreme metal barrage for the record’s last three minutes, the thrilling immediacy is quickly outweighed by bitter disappointment: its tantalising taste of Sleep Token at full force ultimately too little too late according to Rolling Stone UK.
