Sleep Token release Even In Arcadia; their first major label release on RCA. Destined to be one of 2025's biggest releases

From the off, Even In Arcadia feels big. It feels like a huge event that we are getting this new album. With three songs released as lead tracks, there is loads to uncover.

In the vast and ever-changing landscape of music, few bands have captured the attention and imagination of listeners quite like Sleep Token. Hailing from the United Kingdom, the collective has steadily built a devoted following with their unique blend of metal, electronic, and orchestral elements. After a series of successful EPs and albums, anticipation reached fever pitch for their first major label release, "Even In Arcadia," set to drop on May 9th via RCA Records.

Having previously worked with independent label, "鵺 Records" for their 2020 debut album, "Monocycle," and 2022's "An Introduction To The Flood," Sleep Token decided to venture into new territory with their fourth studio album. "We felt like we'd reached the pinnacle of what we could do in that environment," explains Vessel, the band's vocalist. "We'd pushed the boundaries as far as we could go."

The decision to join forces with RCA was a natural progression for a band who had already achieved significant milestones. Their 2023 single, "The Offering," reached new highs on the U.S. Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, and their music video for "Highway Patrol" garnered over 10 million views on YouTube.

"It felt like a good time to see what else was out there and to try something new," adds Vessel. "We're always looking for ways to grow and evolve, and we're excited to see what this next chapter holds."

As the band members gathered in a secluded studio in the English countryside to record "Even In Arcadia," they were focused on creating an album that would be both sonically rich and thematically cohesive. The goal was to build upon the sonic textures and atmospheric layers that had defined their previous work, while also exploring new musical avenues.

"We wanted to create an album that would feel like a complete and satisfying journey for the listener," says the band member, visibly engrossed in a discussion about a new synth patch. "We didn't want to hold anything back, and we weren't afraid to experiment."

The result is a sprawling and ambitious double album that showcases the band at their most creative and dynamic. From the haunting melodies of "Look To Windward" to the brooding intensity of "Past Self" and the synth-driven banger "Dangerous," "Even In Arcadia" is an album that demands to be heard from beginning to end.

In the opening track, "Look To Windward," a gentle synth pattern slowly builds as Vessel's distinctive vocals introduce a pensive tone. The synths, which appear to be sampled from classic 1980s synth-pop bands, are used to great effect, creating a shimmering and ethereal soundscape. As the song progresses, a brooding guitar riff slowly emerges, adding a layer of menace to the mix.

The song is also notable for its use of vivid imagery and introspective lyrics. In the first verse, Vessel sings, "I've got eyelids heavy enough to break diamonds / I'm not sure I can manage to open my eyes today." The lyrics are full of self-reflection and a sense of weariness, setting the stage for the album's exploration of past regrets, lost connections, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

The song builds slowly but surely, with each instrument and vocal harmony weaving together seamlessly. By the time the song reaches its climax, it is a monolithic wall of sound that threatens to consume the listener. Yet, even as the instrumentation reaches a fever pitch, there is a sense of restraint and control in the mixing, ensuring that each element remains audible and contributes to the overall sonic tapestry.

After the sprawling grandeur of "Look To Windward," the mood shifts slightly with "Emergence." The song has a more playful and experimental feel, with a jazzy swagger that is evident in the instrumental breaks and the shifting time signatures.

The song also features some interesting production techniques, such as the use of a flanger on the guitars and the layering of different synth textures to create a sense of depth and movement.

The lyrics of "Emergence" continue the themes of past mistakes and the search for redemption that were introduced in "Look To Windward." In the song's opening lines, the narrator reflects on a past self who was "always making the wrong choices."

The song's final verse sees the narrator come to terms with the fact that he cannot change the past, but he can choose how to live in the present.

The song fades out slowly, leaving the listener with a sense of reflection and hope.

"Past Self" opens with a hip-hop infused beat cantering along as the vocals take center stage. There is a prophetic outlook on coming to terms with the past and where the future goes in question.

Dangerous keeps the