The UK band Sleep Token has achieved significant recognition with their single “Caramel,” which has been hailed as the best song of 2025 by The New York Times. In a recent article authored by esteemed music critic Jon Caramanica, the band stands out as the only metal act featured on a list dominated by major pop icons such as Drake, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and Justin Bieber.
“Caramel” is the second single from the band’s latest album, Even In Arcadia, and was released on April 4, ahead of the album’s debut on May 9. Caramanica describes “Caramel” as “a huge, gloriously silly and brutally effective amalgam of abandoned styles ripe for reinvigorating—rap metal, dream-prog, pop-reggaeton, backpack hip-hop, cosplay rock, metalcore and more.” This eclectic blend showcases the band’s innovative approach to music, which has resonated with fans and critics alike.
The promotional campaign leading up to the single’s release was particularly unconventional, utilizing American weatherman Chris Michaels, who has a knack for weaving metal song titles into his weather updates, to tease the release.
This accolade from The New York Times adds to what has already been a remarkable year for Sleep Token. Following the release of Even In Arcadia, the album soared to the top of the US Billboard 200 shortly after debuting. In June, the band made headlines by headlining the prestigious Download Festival in Donington, performing in front of an audience of 80,000 alongside iconic acts like Green Day and Korn. Their North American tour, which spanned from September to October, was also a resounding success, with every show selling out.
On top of their chart-topping achievements, Sleep Token has secured multiple nominations for the upcoming Grammy Awards. “Emergence,” the lead single from Even In Arcadia, is up for Best Metal Performance, while “Caramel” has been nominated for Best Rock Song. Additionally, drummer II has been recognized for his participation in a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” recorded live at Ozzy Osbourne’s final show.
To cap off a whirlwind year, Sleep Token recently announced the release of an official coloring book, produced by Rock N’ Roll Colouring—a company known for creating similar books for rock and metal legends. This new venture is now available for fans to purchase through Eyesore Merch.
The Grammy Awards ceremony is set for February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the same venue where Sleep Token concluded their North American tour in October. With so much momentum behind them, the anticipation for Sleep Token’s future endeavors continues to grow.
