Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia ALBUM REVIEW

Have you been waiting long for me?

A question us excited and frantic worshippers of Sleep have been asking ourselves for months. House of Veridian or Feathered Host! The cycle must end or the house must endure. Duality and questions (would we have it any other way?)

Look To Windward:

We are welcomed into this album with the song Look To Windward. I will not lie to you, the first time I had put this song on I thought I had put on the wrong album, double checking my phone and seeing if there was a mistake. There was not. It starts off with a Zelda like tone in a way as we are welcomed with Vessel’s haunting first lines; “Will you listen just as my form starts to fission? Losing this war of attrition just as I drift away”

So this is where the story truly begins, we are welcomed with an almost duality from the get go, halting this eclipse of his. Suddenly we are in a whisper of this notion, in a crescendo of masterful, angry, badassery. The boys just do what they do with genre bending immediately and get into the heavy bits already. Similarly to every Sleep Token release, we are welcomed into what Vessel is feeling and where his head is at. Once out of the angry jam part we get into the RnB side, telling us about how heavy his eyelids are and setting the tone for what we are about to experience in this release. Vessel talking about living by the feather but dying by the sword was the point we have to question off the bat; Is this a journey of duality? Is this the end? Or are we enduring?

Emergence: 

As many of you reading this probably know, this is the song that we got first from all the singles. We are “layed in verse on a promised word.” Soft piano and vocals are how we start this one off, as we are told to “come on come on… It’s time to emerge”, then repeatedly told to “go ahead and wrap your arms around me.” With a little bit of synth, then a big bass drop, we are back baby! Back to the hip-hop side of Sleep Token, then right back into the “go ahead and wrap your arms around me.” About half way through this we start to hear light tidings of a ride into a full, jamming band, giving similar vibes to Alkaline from their second album, This Place Will Become Your Tomb. A build to a “huh whoo”, then met with heavy guitar and beautiful vocal work once again, with the cherry on top being some beautiful saxophone to lead us out.

Past Self:

This song reminds me of a 90’s RnB song or a predecessor to DYWTYLM from their last release, Take Me Back To Eden. Very poppy sound with heart breaking lyrics, the lyrics touching on the man underneath the mask. Almost as if losing oneself, if you will.

Dangerous:

The fourth track in this album is about loving someone so much, but knowing that the relationship is toxic. A concept we are very used to seeing, one we’ve seen before in their last 3 albums. However in this we are sensing he knows it’s bad for him, but he cannot turn away as Sleep is being taken away from him. Instead of running, he asks, “won’t you show me how to dance forever?”

Caramel:

This is one of my own personal favorites. Reggaeton with a mixture of heaviness at the end, a very Shakespearean way of saying “f**k you” to the toxic fanbase. The part of the audience that has caused the actual man behind the mask to not be able to walk out his front door. While I am a giant fan and can be obsessive at times, there is a fine line, to which I feel that we blurred for years and now it has been forcibly brought to light. We are owed nothing from the band or Vessel. But worry not, even though the toxic fans exist, he’s glad you’re still listening. However, he thought fame would fix his problems, but perhaps not.

Even In Arcadia:

For a while now Sleep Token has been teasing this track. From posting the notes on social media, to using it in reels with Jerry (the flamingo on the album cover.) I believe this song to be a battle song, fighting for clarity if you will. It is a beautiful song with piano, light background noises, and a beautiful violin solo. We are questioned, “have been waiting long for me?” The track is a dark, but beautiful, soliloquy of passion and depression.

Provider:

This is the sexy time song, being about how Vessel wants to provide love and care. Some might say this is similar to Vore, mostly from the fetish and smut fans out there. It’s a very sexual song though, pretty with some heavy breakdowns as it goes on. 

Damocles:

This song is a reference to the ancient Greek myth of Damocles. Damocles was a king's friend who constantly talked about how he wished he had it like the king. The women, food, money, power. However just like everything Sleep Token, it’s a different perspective, beautiful and sorrowful, wishing that maybe the blade that’s hanging above him would actually fall. Asking ourselves perhaps, after this is over, what will be remembered? Do we just go away and be forgotten?

Gethsemane:

The song that will break your heart and cause you to cry. The basis of this song is being in a toxic relationship with someone, who no matter what you do, barely even recognizes your existence unless it is convenient for them. With lyrics like; “what might be good for your heart, might not be good for my head, and what was there at the start might not be there at the end.” Utterly crushing. Absolutely amazing work all around on this song, if there is one song to listen to from this album, pick this one. It also brings touches of swancore into the picture, which is a welcome addition. I cannot write down how much this song hit my soul, understanding the exact kind of relationship he is talking about. It's something I wish upon no one, but having been there myself, it just hurts and brings you to a place where you must accept and learn how to grow and move on. This is my personal favorite song and I absolutely love it. 

Infinite Baths:

This is the final song of this beautiful album. We get the ending we didn’t want, but not all stories are happy endings. Basically, the baths of rage, depression, and constantly battling with one’s self has brought us to this place. Some might say it is Vessel finally allowing himself to go back to the mask. My take is this is the man underneath the mask fighting to get out, but can’t because of what he has created, or signed up for. Now he is stuck and wants to drift away but is unable to. Now we finally have our answer on why he is the teeth of God. 

Overall Thoughts:

I think this album is an absolute masterpiece! From the genre blending, to the lyricism, to the little connections, and even introspective storytelling of a man who has made it to the last. Absolutely worth your time. I can’t wait to see what the next step is for The Bois!