Depending on who you ask, it is potentially the most divisive entry in their discography, a sonic marmite that is both enchanting and alienating, but deep down there is something elusive beneath the surface of this album.
For those that have followed Sleep Token’s ascent to becoming juggernauts in the metal scene, it was always suspected that any follow-up to their breakthrough conceptual album trilogy, ‘Sundowning’, ‘This Place Will Be Your Tomb’, and especially ‘Take Me Back To Eden’ would carry an almost impossible weight. Living in the long shadow of defining moments is no small feat, and ‘Even In Arcadia’ feels like Sleep Token are both embracing and battling their legacy.
In short, ‘Even In Arcadia’ strips back the complex narrative of enigmatic frontman Vessel and the deity Sleep, becoming more of a personal journal as he and the band navigate this newfound stardom, interchanging between themes such as identity, feeling lost and mental health. There is a constant push and pull of emotions throughout, as with all-consuming highs come the crashing lows. This is forecasted by Vessel, who seems to have known this would be a divisive album, as alluded to in the lyrics of ‘Damocles’: “Well I know I should be touring / I know these chords are boring / But I can’t always be killing the game…”.
Despite the deep-rooted vulnerability within this album, opener ‘Look To Windward’ is an epic eight-minute track that conveys an inner conflict between superiority and self-erasure. This tension is underscored by the repeated lyrics of Vessel’s almost monotone plea, ‘Will you halt this eclipse in me?” which haunts the track.
Sleep Token continue to expand their sound throughout ‘Look To Windward’, experimenting with genre through a fusion of electronic synths that form a video game-like ambience that steadily builds into an enigmatic soundscape enhanced by vocalisers. Vessel’s vocals evolve into a desperate cry, before giving way to a crushing breakdown, driven by back-thrashing guitars and punishing drums, punctuated by visceral screams only to dissolve into a softer melody, transitioning seamlessly into a smoother, R&B-inspired section.
‘Emergence’, the album’s lead single, is a blend of R&B, hip-hop, and metal that reveals a haunting new facet of Vessel’s voice—slow, arresting, and laced with hypnotic piano lines and celestial guitar textures that establish an eternal atmosphere.
‘Past Self’ stands out as one of the album’s most divisive tracks—not because of any sonic aggression, but because of its absence. There are no slamming breakdowns, thrashing guitars or screaming crescendos. Instead, it unfolds with a delicate, stripped-back melody, where the true weight lies in the lyrics.
Vessel figuratively holds up a mirror to the more toxic side of Sleep Token’s fan base. With a tone that borders on bitterness, he delivers pointed, introspective lines such as “Are you gonna dance on the line with me?”. This doesn’t come across as a playful flirtation but instead as a challenge. It calls out those who are quick to criticise the band’s evolution, yet continue to show up to their concerts.
Sleep Token seem to be confronting this contradiction head-on: the almost unwillingness of some fans to embrace change whilst still clinging to the band’s past identity and lore. ‘Past Self’ is not just a song, but a statement of artistic defiance.
‘Dangerous’ is a slow burner, rich with tension and atmosphere, that progresses into a groovy bass-driven track. Contrastingly, the album’s second single ‘Caramel’, is made up of music-box-like hypnotic melodies and genre-bending transitions for the perfect balance of delicate and heavy.
Arcadia itself is a mythological, pre-religious sanctuary, often associated with being idyllic and free from societal corruption. The titular track, ‘Even In Arcadia’, highlights a more sinister side of this haven - despite being in paradise and having everything you want, things can still be dark.
The final track, ‘Infinite Baths’, unfolds like a ritual, a ceremonial act of cleansing and healing. It intentionally mirrors the opening track, ‘Look To Windward’ , echoing its melody and repeating the same haunting refrain: “Won’t you halt this eclipse in me?”. This occurrence is no accident; it’s a deliberate choice, forming a seamless loop. Rather than offering a resolution, the album closes where it began, immersing the listener into a continuous cycle.
‘Even In Arcadia’ will stand as the misunderstood sequel to Sleep Token’s previous, well-loved discography - adored by some, dismissed by others. It is truly a complex album that demands an open mind, inviting listeners to look beyond surface-level expectations. While it may not be their magnum opus, it shows clear artistic growth, artistic integrity and above all, vulnerability.
