Sleep Token’s “Caramel”, from their upcoming album Even in Arcadia, delves into Vessel’s struggles with fame and anonymity. Produced by Carl Bown, the track serves as a haunting reflection on the price of success in the metal world.
Sleep Token returns with their latest single “Caramel”, the second offering from the much-anticipated album Even in Arcadia. This introspective and poignant track sees Vessel grappling with the bittersweet nature of fame and the fragile anonymity that has defined the band’s mystique. Produced by Carl Bown, “Caramel” blends haunting melodies and deep lyrical introspection, creating an emotional connection that resonates far beyond the surface.
even in arcadia by sleep token
About the Song
At its core, “Caramel” addresses Vessel’s internal battle with the pressures of fame and the challenges of maintaining anonymity in a world where curiosity can become invasive. The song’s lyrics candidly reflect on the vulnerabilities that accompany sudden popularity, serving as both a plea and a warning to Sleep Token’s fanbase. Despite the struggles, Vessel appreciates the support and admiration, likening the attention to the sticky sweetness of caramel—both captivating and inescapable.
The track’s cryptic themes are further highlighted by the appearance of binary code during the YouTube premiere, translating to “Damocles.” This allusion to the Sword of Damocles symbolizes the precarious nature of the band’s rising influence and the ever-present risk of exposure.
Sound Highlights
- Production Mastery: Carl Bown’s expertise shines through, delivering an intricate blend of atmospheric and melodic elements.
- Emotional Vulnerability: Vessel’s vocal performance conveys raw emotion and introspection.
- Cultural References: Binary sequences and symbolic imagery deepen the thematic layers of the track.
Sleep Token – “Caramel”
Produced by Carl Bown
April 4, 2025
1 Song, 5 minutes
℗ 2025 RCA Records, under exclusive license from Sleep Token
Watch Music Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Count me out like sovereigns, payback for the good times
Right foot in the roses, left foot on a landmine
I’m not gonna be there tripping on the grapevine
They can sing the words while I cry into the bassline
Wear me out like Prada, devil in my detail
I swear it’s getting harder even just to exhale
Backed up into corners, bitter in the lens
I’m sick of tryna hide it every time they take mine
[Chorus]
So stick to me
Stick to me like caramel
Walk beside me till you feel nothin’ as well
[Verse 2]
They ask me, “Is it goin’ good in the garden?”
Say, “I’m lost, but I beg no pardon”
Up on the dice, but low on the cards
I try not to talk about how it’s harder now
Can I get a mirror side-stage?
Looking sideways at my own visage, gettin’ worse
Every time they try to shout my real name just to get a rise from me
Acting like I’m never stressed out by the hearsay
I guess that’s what I get for tryna hide in the limelight
Guess that’s what I get for having 20/20 hindsight
Everybody wants eyes on ’em, I just wanna hear you sing that top line
[Pre-Chorus]
And if you don’t think I mean it, then I understand
But I’m still glad you came, so let me see those hands
[Chorus]
So stick to me
Stick to me like caramel
Walk beside me till you feel nothin’ as well
I’m fallin’ free of the final parallel
The sweetest dreams are bitter
But there’s no one left to tell
[Bridge]
Too young to get bitter over it all
Too old to retaliate like before
Too blessed to be caught ungrateful, I know
So I’ll keep dancin’ along to the rhythm
This stage is a prison (Too young to get bitter over it all), a beautiful nightmare
A war of attrition (Too old to retaliate like before), I’ll take what I’m given
The deepest incisions (Too blessed to be caught ungrateful, I know), I thought I got better
But maybe I didn’t
[Breakdown]
(In these days of days) Tell me, did I give you what you came for?
(I wish it all away) Terrified to answer my own front door
(I thought things had changed) Missin’ my wings in a realm of angels
(But everything’s the same)
[Outro]
So I’ll keep dancin’ along to the rhythm
This stage is a prison, a beautiful nightmare
A war of attrition, I’ll take what I’m given
The deepest incisions, I thought I got better
But maybe I didn’t
