Even in Arcadia

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Even in Arcadia
Studio album by
Sleep Token
Released9 May 2025 (2025-05-09)
Recorded2024
Genre
Length56:30
LabelRCA
ProducerCarl Bown
Sleep Token chronology
Take Me Back to Eden
(2023) 		Even in Arcadia
(2025)
Singles from Even in Arcadia
  1. "Emergence"
    Released: 13 March 2025
  2. "Caramel"
    Released: 4 April 2025
  3. "Damocles"
    Released: 25 April 2025

Even in Arcadia is the fourth studio album by anonymous English rock band Sleep Token. It was released on 9 May 2025 by RCA Records.[1] The album garnered significant media attention amid an unorthodox marketing campaign that has included a weatherman at WRAL in North Carolina providing hints to release dates and album singles.[2]

Background and release

[edit]

In February 2025, the band began hinting at a new project through a series of cryptic social media posts on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms.[3] In addition to new artwork and iconography, hidden messages in cyphers and on released sheet music contained references to a blood moon and the numbers 72, 13, and 3, hinting towards an announcement on 13 March, the 72nd day of the year and the date of a a blood moon lunar eclipse.[4][5][6][7]

On 13 March 2025, Sleep Token officially announced their fourth studio album entitled Even in Arcadia, due for release 9 May 2025. They simultaneously released their first single from the album, entitled "Emergence", on all streaming platforms. A new tour of the United States was announced with confirmed dates and a new website with brand new merchandise available to pre-order was launched.[1]

The album's second single, "Caramel", was revealed through a series of posts by WRAL-TV meteorologist Chris Michaels, and was released on 4 April 2025.[8] The song debuted at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's highest-charting single to date.[9] A third single, "Damocles", released on 25 April 2025.[10]

Composition

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Musically, Even in Arcadia has been described as alternative metal,[11] djent,[12] pop,[13] R&B,[14] progressive metal,[15] pop rap,[12] trap,[14] and metalcore,[14] with elements of math rock,[16] emo,[17] arena rock,[17] trip hop,[17] electronic,[17] and reggaeton.[18]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.4/10[19]
Metacritic64/100[20]
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts DeskStarStarStarStar[21]
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[22]
Clash8/10[23]
Dork4/5[24]
Kerrang!4/5[25]
NMEStarStarStarStarStar[18]
Pitchfork2.3/10[12]
Rolling StoneStarStarStar[26]
The SkinnyStarStarStar[27]
Sputnikmusic1.5/5[14]

Critical

[edit]

Even in Arcadia was met with generally favorable reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received a weighted average score of 64, based on eight reviews, which the website categorised as "generally favorable" reception.[20]

Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic gave Even in Arcadia a positive review, commending the band for incorporating many different "styles" on the album. He described the track "Caramel" as the album standout, while deeming the album "a streamlined evolution of their established sound".[22] Writing for Clash, Susan Hansen opined that the album "is an absorbing listen" and that the band explores "unused genre territory" on the record. Hansen ends her review by stating that "Sleep Token's mastery of building musical enigma is completely seamless and continuous, and Even in Arcadia is no exception. It's a unique commercial and artistic asset, which cannot be taught. If anything, they take the precise quality to the next level on this project, with a refinement that's there for everyone to witness".[23] Emma Wilkes of Kerrang! wrote an overall positive review, describing the track "Past Self" as "airy synth-and-drum-machine pop" that "gets a little wobbly", but claiming that the album's "minor quibbles are easily dwarfed by the height of its peaks".[25] Rishi Shah of NME acclaimed the album, opining that it "shatters any pressure of expectation into oblivion, building on the bravery of its predecessor, sonically, while its lyrics reveal the most exposed version of Vessel we've seen yet. From Eden to Arcadia – and beyond – let the worship continue".[18]

Conversely, the album was panned by Eli Enis of Pitchfork, who described it as "smooth, flat, edgeless, and utterly lacking in dynamic payoffs, despite its many attempts to swing from breathy ballads to bludgeoning breakdowns".[12] Likewise, a staff reviewer from Sputnikmusic was critical of the album, criticizing its lyrics and describing the album as "probably the band's best and worst work yet". The reviewer continued by stating that "Sleep Token have conclusively proven themselves to be wholly incompetent songwriters, and everything here is almost offensively boring".[14]

Accolades

[edit]

At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, "Emergence" was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" while "Caramel" was nominated for "Best Rock Performance" at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.[28]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Vessel; all music is composed by Vessel and II unless otherwise noted.

Even in Arcadia track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Look to Windward" 7:46
2."Emergence" 6:26
3."Past Self"Vessel3:34
4."Dangerous" 4:11
5."Caramel" 4:50
6."Even in Arcadia"Vessel4:28
7."Provider" 6:05
8."Damocles" 4:25
9."Gethsemane" 6:23
10."Infinite Baths" 8:23
Total length:56:30
Japanese bonus tracks[29]
No.TitleLength
11."Emergence" (instrumental) 
12."Even in Arcadia" (piano version) 

Personnel

[edit]

Adapted from Qobuz.[30]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Even in Arcadia
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[31] 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[32] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[33] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[34] 4
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[35] 1
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[36] 32
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[37] 8
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[38] 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[39] 5
French Albums (SNEP)[40] 18
French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[41] 2
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[42] 1
German Rock & Metal Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[43] 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[44] 3
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)[45] 8
Irish Albums (OCC)[46] 3
Italian Albums (FIMI)[47] 15
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[48] 46
Japanese Rock Albums (Oricon)[49] 10
Japanese Top Albums Sales (Billboard Japan)[50] 22
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[51] 16
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[52] 1
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[53] 6
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[54] 8
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[55] 4
Scottish Albums (OCC)[56] 1
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[57] 24
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[58] 4
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[59] 2
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] 2
UK Albums (OCC)[61] 1
UK Progressive Albums (OCC)[62] 1
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[63] 1
US Billboard 200[64] 1
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)[65] 1

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Even in Arcadia
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[66] Silver 60,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for Even in Arcadia
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 9 May 2025
RCA [67]
Japan 25 June 2025 [29]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Sloan, Jodie (13 March 2025). "Sleep Token announce new album Even In Arcadia and reveal first single "Emergence"". The AU Review. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Rigotti, Alex (1 April 2025). "Metalhead weatherman named Chris Michaels involved in Sleep Token's new album launch". NME. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  3. ^ Adams, Gregory. "SLEEP TOKEN are teasing something with a cryptic new website". Revolver. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  4. ^ Fitzpatrick, Jake (27 February 2025). "Sleep Token's Secret Instagram Is Sending Fans Sheet Music". Blunt Magazine. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Sleep Token launch two private Instagram accounts to tease new music". Kerrang!. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  6. ^ Newman, Chloé. "A new offering has arrived: Sleep Token's new single and everything leading up to it". The Shield. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  7. ^ Keenan, Hesher (10 March 2025). "More Hints Suggest Sleep Token Could Be Announcing U.S. Tour". MetalSucks. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Sleep Token tease new single via weatherman Chris Michaels". Kerrang!. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  9. ^ "Official Trending Chart: Ed Sheeran, Sleep Token, Miley Cyrus and more score rising UK hits". Official Charts. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  10. ^ Mills, Matt (25 April 2025). "Sleep Token invite listeners to "confront what lies beneath the mask" on exultant new single Damocles". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Hear Sleep Token's feverishly anticipated new album 'Even In Arcadia'". Revolver. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Enis, Eli (14 May 2025). "Sleep Token: Even in Arcadia". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  13. ^ SaiseiTunes (14 May 2025). "Sleep Token Even in Arcadia". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e jesper (9 May 2025). "Sleep Token Even in Arcadia". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  15. ^ Wilkins, Donovan (9 May 2025). "Sleep Token embraces a rebirth under mainstream pressure in 'Even in Arcadia' Album Review". Earmilk. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  16. ^ Steve Gerrard (8 May 2025). "Album Review: Sleep Token – Even In Arcadia". montrealrocks.ca. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d Midson, Oliver (8 May 2025). "Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  18. ^ a b c Shah, Rishi (8 May 2025). "Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia review: another jaw-dropping ascent towards immortality". NME. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Even in Arcadia by Sleep Token reviews". Any Decent Music?. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Even in Arcadia by Sleep Token Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  21. ^ Carr, Tom (9 May 2025). "Album: Sleep Token - Even In Arcadia". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  22. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Even in Arcadia Sleep Token". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  23. ^ a b Hansen, Susan (8 May 2025). "Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia Album Review". Clash. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  24. ^ Bradley, Alexander (13 May 2025). "Sleep Token – Even In Arcadia". Dork. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  25. ^ a b Wilkes, Emma (8 May 2025). "Album review: Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Kerrang!. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  26. ^ Johnston, Maura (9 May 2025). "What's the Deal With Sleep Token?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  27. ^ Cooper=Raeburn, Emma (12 May 2025). "Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". The Skinny. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  28. ^ "2026 GRAMMYS: See The Full Nominations List". Grammys. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Even In Arcadia [Japan Bonus Track] - Sleep Token" (in Japanese). CDJapan. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Even In Arcadia". Qobuz. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  31. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  35. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of May 24, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Lista prodaje (strano) 21. tjedan 2025. (19.05.2025. - 25.05.2025.)" (in Croatian). Top lista. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  39. ^ "Sleep-Token: Even in Arcadia" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Lescharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  41. ^ "Top 100 Rock & Metal Albums du semaine 20, 2025" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  42. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  43. ^ "Official German Charts Top 20 Rock/Metal Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  44. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2025. 20. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  45. ^ "Tónlistinn – Plötur: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 20. Birt 17. maí 2025 – Næst uppfært 24. maí 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  46. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  48. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2025-07-07/p/5" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  49. ^ "Oricon Top 20 Rock Albums: 2025-07-07" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  50. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales – July 2, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  51. ^ "2025 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  52. ^ "Charts.nz – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  53. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  54. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 09.05.2025–15.05.2025 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  55. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  56. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  57. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Sleep Token – Even In Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  58. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  59. ^ "Veckolista Hårdrock, vecka 20" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  60. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  61. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  62. ^ "Official Progressive Albums Chart Top 30". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  63. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  64. ^ Caulfield, Keith (18 May 2025). "Sleep Token Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Even in Arcadia'". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  65. ^ "Top Rock & Alternative Albums: Week of May 24, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  66. ^ "British album certifications – Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  67. ^ Midson, Oliver (8 May 2025). "Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
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