Sleep Token Unearth New Album Even In Arcadia with Soul-Filling 'Emergence'

For those of you who don’t subscribe to the concept of bedtime and stayed up late on Thursday night, you undoubtedly uncovered the treasure that’s been relentlessly teased over the last couple of months.

‍SLEEP TOKEN. ARE. BACK.

‍Hot off the back of a relentless touring schedule in 2023 & 2024 which included visits to Australia with their debut headline tour and subsequent support slot under BRING ME THE HORIZON for their Next Gen Tour, the UK collective have unveiled their fourth full length offering, Even in Arcadia, their first under new label RCA Records and Sony Music Australia.

As a taste for us all to sink our teeth into until the new record hits the shelves on May 9th, SLEEP TOKEN have released the lead single off the upcoming LP titled ‘Emergence’, a whopping six-and-a-half minute track which covers so much sonic ground not unlike previous offerings Vessel and co have cooked up, but with a slight twist as Vessel’s voice is vocoded into a hook that's reminiscent of ZHU’s early work. As an arpeggiator pokes through the glistening soundscapes and ramps up the tension, we are treated to an 808 laden rap section with some of the most creative rhythmic compositions drummer “II” has put together. Eventually we return to the sonic familiarity of the contrasting elements comprising of Vessel’s angelic voice clashing with some viciously heavy breakdowns.

The biggest difference with this track compared to other offerings Sleep Token has put together in the past is the undeniable sense of jubilation that is so absent from their earlier work which was drowning in melancholy and conjured some heartbreaking imagery with Vessel’s evocative lyrics, and this joy leaves us floating in the ether with a truly breathtaking guest saxophone solo from Gabi Rose of BILMURI to bring 'Emergence' to a close.  

With multiple festival appearances, including a headline slot at Download Festival in the UK, and a US tour just announced, this is shaping up to be Sleep Token’s biggest year of their career, and followers worldwide are as ready as ever to Worship.

Will we see the band back for their own headline tour in Australia? Stay tuned, we'll keep you posted.

Even in Arcadia is out on May 9^th via RCA Records/Sony Music Australia. Pre-Orders available here
JB Hi-Fi Exclusive Limited Edition vinyl variant here
*All JB Hi-Fi pre-orders come with bonus ‘House Veridian’ or ‘The Feathered Host’ patch (only while stocks last)  

Words By Oliver Midson @olivermidson