Armor for Sleep emerged from the New Jersey suburbs in the early 2000s as a distinctive voice in the alternative rock and emo scenes, known for their atmospheric soundscapes and emotionally resonant concept albums. Formed in 2002 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the band's original lineup featured vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter Ben Jorgensen, lead guitarist PJ DeCicco, bassist Anthony DiIonno, and drummer Nash Breen. Their early demos quickly captured attention, leading to a signing with the independent label Equal Vision Records.

The band's debut album, "Dream to Make Believe," arrived in 2003, establishing their signature blend of melodic rock, dream pop textures, and introspective lyrics. They solidified their reputation with the 2005 release of "What to Do When You Are Dead," a critically acclaimed concept album that explored themes of mortality and the afterlife, becoming a defining work for a generation of fans. The album's success propelled the band to a larger stage, leading to a major label deal with Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records.

Their major-label debut, "Smile for Them," was released in 2007 and stands as their claim to fame, featuring a more polished production while retaining the band's core emotional intensity. Despite this progression, the band entered a period of inactivity shortly thereafter. Armor for Sleep announced their disbandment in October 2009, though they reunited briefly for fan-requested tours in 2012 and 2015 to perform "What to Do When You Are Dead" in its entirety.

The band officially reunited in 2020 with a revised lineup, now centered on Jorgensen and Breen, who were joined by lead guitarist Erik Rudic and bassist Chad Sabo, both of whom are also members of the band the Cold Seas alongside Breen. This reactivation led to a creative resurgence, resulting in the 2022 album "The Rain Museum," which marked their first new full-length release in fifteen years. They continued this renewed momentum with the 2025 album "There Is No Memory," demonstrating their enduring artistic vision. Throughout their recording career, Armor for Sleep has maintained a dedicated following for their unique fusion of alternative rock, atmospheric emo, and dream pop, characterized by Jorgensen's emotionally charged songwriting.