SLEEP TOKEN’s ‘Caramel’ Named 2025’s Best Song By The New York Times

Sleep Token 2025 press image
Photo credit: Andy Ford

British masked collective SLEEP TOKEN has capped off an extraordinary year with a major accolade. Their single “Caramel”, the second release from their fourth studio album Even In Arcadia, has been named the No. 1 song of 2025 by The New York Times.

Veteran music critic Jon Caramanica highlighted the track in the publication’s year-end roundup, applauding its daring fusion of genres that rarely intersect. According to Caramanica, the song is “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.”

Released on April 4, 2025, “Caramel” has resonated with both fans and critics alike, solidifying Sleep Token’s presence in the contemporary music scene. The song is also a contender for “Best Rock Song” at the 2026 Grammy Awards, further cementing its impact.

Following the single’s release, SLEEP TOKEN unveiled their full album, Even In Arcadia, on May 9, 2025, which has continued to receive acclaim for its genre-defying sound and emotional depth.