Sleep Token - even in arcadia // album review

So, it's uh, its been a while huh? I'm back. It's been a crazy few months for music, with one of the most talked about headlines being Sleep Token's massive insurgence into the mainstream. You thought they were getting their kudos when Take Me Back to Eden came out, but this is a whole new beast. After doing some serious charting with their three singles, the full and finished machine of Even In Arcadia is now here for us to feast on, and boy has it got people up in a frenzy for this masked cult - and for very good reason. Here is my track by track breakdown and review of Even In Arcadia by Sleep Token.

1 - Look to Windward - 7:46

I'm a big believer in the sanctity of the opening and closing tracks of a record. In my opinion, these should distil down everything the record attempts to do, lay the groundwork to the next hour or so of music. If you needed a more perfect approximation of what Sleep Token aim to do in this new album, look no further than this seven minute behemoth. Starting with the soft synth and distorted vocals, begging to 'halt this eclipse in me' you instantly know this record is something new, something more vulnerable, more raw. The sharp strings and insane high range of Vessel ring out, before bringing you once again into those rich vocals and building soundscape, culminating in the filthiest of breakdowns. The double bass, the smashing complexity of II on the drums, and layered once again with the piano, it creates a joyous cacophony of textures that are a joy to hear. But it wouldn't be right if there wasn't another genre bending spectacle, and we're into an programmed beat and some brilliant more R&B centered vocals. This is the opening declaration from this band, to forget everything you once knew about the music they made, and to look forward to something new, because after all, Vessel even claims that he 'used to know him[my]self' - and this new sound is something insanely new, and insanely good. In the final moments of the track, it brings it back to that insane raw breakdown, with extreme vocals that tear through the mix. It's a journey, and one that I'm keen to continue.

2 - Emergence - 6:26

Released as the first single of this record, Emergence is a powerhouse that proves that Sleep Token are some of the most sophisticated musicians gracing our airwaves. At the beginning this song is idyllic, with orchestral swells, but as time goes on, it finds itself going more and more electric, with a surging synth line bringing forth the most technical drum groove I think I've heard in recent times - which believe it or not is written in 4/4, not 7/8 like some would try and have you think (it's all in the intonation of the snare). In the second verse, the ringing of the bell is a testament to the fact that II is about to shred on the kit, and he does, with those trademark cymbal embellishments that take it to a whole other level of complex, but by all means still retains it's flow. The next chorus is sweeping, with a halftime breakdown beat behind more impressive vocals from Vessel, claiming that it's 'time to emerge'. What comes next is another masterful breakdown, capitalised by a brilliant callout, and them yet more smashing cymbals and hefty guitar tone. Sleep Token like keeping you on your feet, and this is yet another testament to the fact that they can turn on a dime, and still nail it home. I also really like the sax solo at the end of the track, even if I think it's a touch long.

3 - Past Self - 3:34

So, I heard you like it when Vessel raps huh? Here, have a whole three minutes of it. Although the beat is fun, and seemingly based off a soundtrack from the Legend of Zelda, the lyrics here are what truly shine through. I am willing to die on the hill that whoever is beneath that mask is one of the greatest lyricists of our time. This song reflects that, the subtlety of it, but also the willingness to bear all, let us into his deliberation on 'cutting out the demons'. It's another opportunity to watch Vessel bear his soul to us, and it's a joy to hear. Sure the beat is the same throughout, but those words, they hit close to home, and that's what really matters here for me.

4 - Dangerous - 4:11

Tension loves to be played with in music, and these guys are no different. The plucked strings of Dangerous instantly evoke that feeling, a foreboding that hangs in the air with the thudding bass in the bridge. Once again the lyrics are grand, telling another sprawling story, before slamming into another slamming programmed beat, incorporating those strings but with a brilliant distorted bassline and hi-hats. Choral vocals are a great weapon in Vessel's arsenal, and he uses them aplenty in this track, really amplifying his stunning voice. Then comes the breakdown, more luscious sonic texture with the cymbals and toms. We also finally get clarity on the first line we ever experienced with 'won't you show me how to dance forever' - finally tying up the loose end from the teaser website when Emergence dropped. All parts complex, heavy hitting and rapturously vivid, Dangerous is a stellar track that once again blurs the lines between genre and convention in only a way Sleep Token can do.

5 - Caramel - 4:50

Ah, Caramel, where do I even start? The second of the three singles released, this one is a real heartbreaker. Presenting an internal conflict between the joy and beauty of music, and the toxic side of fandom, Caramel is a final word on the ongoing issues of the bands identity, and the parasocial relationships some people decide to form with them. Some claim this song is 'the mask slipping', but I'd argue this is Sleep Token contextualising their issues with anonymity full force - slipping implies this wasn't on purpose, and by god does this song deliver calculated strikes at their battle keeping the two worlds separate. There is yet more lyrical genius in this track, and some serious soul bearing from the frontman, finally offering to 'walk beside me, till you feel nothing as well'. Performed over an almost reggae like beat, it's another sound to add to their plethora already crammed into this record, and it naturally grows with some seriously technical drumming from II adding yet more punch. It' a real ballad, reflective whilst not being too bogged down in the sadness and conflict - there's solace in the recognition of the 'war of attrition' before yet another unholy breakdown, where it seems the whole band comes together to vent their frustration, the double bass, the screamed vocals, Caramel is a once in a lifetime track that you have no choice but to physically feel it, and it twists the knife already lodged firmly in your back just enough for it to hurt.

6 - Even in Arcadia - 4:28

This track begins with the music used to tease this album from the very beginning, finally unravelling the mystery of where this gentle music box melody would find itself in this new body of work. As the piano introduces itself, you know that this song is going to rip you apart once again. Vessel's gently reverbed vocals ring through the notes, asking quizzically 'have you been waiting long for me?'. What this means we're not too sure - is he asking if people have been waiting long for his ascension, or has Sleep been stalking him this whole time? There's an electronic edge to the second verse, slamming into a synth led section, sweeping and atmospheric, flecked with that signature tension. The titular line is uttered 'it seems like Even in Arcadia, you walk besides me still'. When I say I got some serious goosebumps as the frontman used those brilliant extremes for the final repeated question. This song is more stripped back, but once again flaunts the impressive lyrical chops of this band, and reveals the emotional centre to this album.

7 - Provider - 6:05

Now, if you think Provider is another classic sensual revelation, akin to Sugar, think again. From the outset, it plays with a very clear dynamic of give and take, requesting to be a provider, but garnering his lover in 'silk, like a spider'. This isn't clean cut, these demands are by no means to be taken at face value. It creates an eerie vibe to this track, even though it's another brilliantly put together track. Again leaning into those electric programmed drums, a more spoken word delivery and some seriously punchy bass, the main body of this song definitely gets your head nodding - and the breakdown into the chorus gets your head banging (see what I did there?) It's a glorious section that is this band at it's best. Splashy cymbals, soaring vocals, and then stripping that back to the piano for the bridge. These songs grow and change so naturally, it's hard to be annoyed at the rapid changes of state. More sensational instrumentation and mixing in the latter ends of this one, hefty drum and bass sounds sitting perfectly so you can hear every cymbal crash. It brings it straight back to that for the final triumphant chorus, but it once again raises questions, is this Vessel pledging his allegiance back to Sleep, knowing he can give them what they want, which is ultimately to control him again? Who knows.

8 - Damocles - 4:24

I think when you feel a genuine connection to a song you've unlocked the best thing about the art we get to interact with. It's like you've been searching for something you didn't know you needed, and when you find it, you struggle to imagine a time before it. This was Damocles for me. This piano based ballad concerns Vessel's musings on the longevity of his career, and about reflection on what would happen if it were to all disappear when he looses relevancy, tying itself into its namesake - the sword of Damocles that famously hung above him as a reminder of his insecurities. Introspective, cutting, but also with some mild catharsis, this song is a rollercoaster of emotions that in truth I find genuinely hard to describe. It has shades of Euclid within it, with the change from the subtle piano to crashing breakdowns, the soft spoken heart-breaking lyrics, the insane performance from II - this track is everything you could possibly want from this band. I really urge you to go and experience this song, it's an absolute delight.

9 - Gethsemane - 6:23

If the rest of this record was sitting at a solid 6 on the emotional pain scale, prepare for the searing heights of an 11 with Gethsemane. An emotional ballad once again, with lyrics so personal and well crafted it feels like poetry in motion - 'I was your robot companion, you were my favourite colour'. It has some serious emotional depth to it that tugs at heartstrings, before going into some serious math rock/midwest emo guitars and a splashy hi-hat groove. The lyrics continue to cut deep, and slam into an emotional bridge, claiming 'what might be good for your heart, might not be good for my head'. It has such shades of their old discography, but also this brand new, strangely brighter sound to it that gives it a whole new dimension. In real Sleep Token fashion they then hit into a huge breakdown with chugging guitar riffs, but you're still left reeling from the last few minutes, and the chaos continues with the subtle extreme vocals and snare intonations. It's the breakdown to end all breakdowns, but then it goes and back comes the programmed beat for a R&B section once again. It's effortless for this band to twist genres and conventions to their own divine whim, moulding songs with so many influences and styles, but still maintaining their fluidity and structure. It's a marvellous thing, and of course, this is a fucking marvellous song.

10 - Infinite Baths - 8:23

The final track of this record harks back to the opening song with the gentle synth opener. It's a touch more gentle, focusing on the lyrics, the mystery being unfolded. What we get to see here, in this last song, is what feels like a celebration of purification. Vessel has finally found a place he is proud to be in, and is being cleansed by the 'infinite baths'. It feels like it's finally a peek into a more optimistic moment, a moment of catharsis. Also, the line 'are you the method to my madness, are you the glory in my wrath?' is just exquisite. As the song builds, it grows more, the clap track, the synths building gently in the background. Although he claims that he's 'so tired inside' the breakdown comes, the cymbals, the double bass, bringing it all together in a final climactic moment. The story has gone full circle, once tumultuous and fraught with danger, Vessel is purified, cleansed and reinvigorated. However, as you know, this band loves to play with the polemics of their narratives, and as the gentle piano eases in, something is at play. This isn't the clean cut ending to the chapter we expected - there's more to come. A tapped ride cymbal becomes the harbinger of the heaviest breakdown of the album, and the extreme vocals begin for a final, bloodcurdling time. Whatever peace they had first built up is stripped away, and the agony and pain have boiled to the surface, and Vessel is back to bearing his teeth. The guitar riff is chunky, with a tone that could cut glass, the double bass overwhelming, and as the breakdown fades into nothingness, you suddenly realise that Even in Arcadia, true peace can not be found, something is there nagging at the back of Vessel's mind - but what? Sleep? The audience? What ruins the perfection of his paradise? I suppose we just have to wait and see.

Overall: There are times in my life where, more amplified than normally at least, I feel truly grateful to be living in the time that I am, in the capacity that I am, in a landscape of such musicality. Even In Arcadia is one of those records that I feel humbled to have even been able to experience whilst on this earth, and being able to share it with such incredibly talented musicians as these is all the better. I know that sounds like a lot, but this record truly means the world - it has everything I would expect from Sleep Token, the heaviness, the sheer heft of their drums and guitar tone is enough to melt steel, but the lyrics, the makeup of these songs, the organic ways they grow and progress, it is truly a wonder to see. Effortless, genre bending, all parts gut wrenchingly honest and boastfully rapturous, Even In Arcadia sees Sleep Token emerge as a whole new (and improved) beast, and all we can do is sit and wait to see what happens next. I'll be waiting, will you?

Rating: 5/5

Highlights: Caramel, Provider, Damocles, Gethsemane, Infinite Baths