There are records that demand instant attention, and then there are those that reward patience. Princess of Cups, the latest release from songwriter and writer Sophie Cartmell under her Sad Cypress moniker, belongs firmly in the latter category. This is a stunning effort, rooted in indie folk but coloured by literature, folklore and magical realism. An impressive sonic journey, the EP unfolds with quiet confidence, inviting listeners into an intimate emotional landscape. Rather than relying on grand gestures, its power lies in its honesty, restraint and the feeling that every note has been placed with care.
Gentle guitar lines (and seemingly lute on “Mermaid Music”) form the backbone of the arrangements, allowing Cartmell’s expressive voice to take centre stage. The sparse production gives the songs room to breathe, revealing new emotional details with each listen rather than chasing obvious hooks. Cartmell’s songwriting is at its strongest when she allows ambiguity and symbolism to carry the emotion. Rather than spelling everything out, she trusts listeners to find their own meaning within the songs, making the EP feel both intensely personal and surprisingly open. Its measured pace may not appeal to everyone immediately, but that restraint gives every melody and every pause genuine weight.
Apart from the “Princess of Cups” narrated story in the middle of the tracklist, the record catches momentum with “The Other Side”, a song with an extraordinary history. Originally written when Cartmell was just 18 and recorded on an 8-track, it was the first complete song she ever finished before being revisited decades later for this EP. Looking back, she explains, “It’s about being stuck inside myself, sensing that the way out was inward but being too afraid to.” That uncertainty is captured with remarkable tenderness. A recurring guitar motif anchors the arrangement while her vocal performance carries both youthful vulnerability and the quiet wisdom that comes with hindsight. It feels less like a re-recording than a conversation between two versions of the same artist, each finally understanding the other.
The songs are woven together by a magical realist narrative inspired by a story Cartmell wrote decades after “The Other Side”. As she puts it, “It’s a collaboration across time. The teenage song named the problem. The magical realism story is about the transition.” The concept never overshadows the music. Instead, it enriches the listening experience, giving each song another layer of meaning as themes of healing, buried emotion and creative rebirth gradually emerge. It is an ambitious idea, but one that feels entirely natural because the songs remain the emotional focus throughout.
‘Sirens’ is a gorgeous introduction to this cleverly-conceptualized EP. This fantastical fei-like feeling returns with “Mermaid Music” with its muted Siren-like vocals in the background. The fingerwork (is it lute) here is mesmerizing, as it should be. From there Sad Cypress dives submerges into the final track “It Means A Lot To Me” and this offering is her final gift, infused with the peace of the sea and calm conveyence of piano and harmony. The dual and sometimes triple layer of vocals is captivating, drawing the listener even closer to this mystical narrative.
Having steadily built a loyal audience through her live performances, Sad Cypress continues to carve out a distinctive place within the independent folk landscape. Princess of Cups is an accomplished collection of songs that demonstrates the value of patience—both in its creation and in the way it reveals itself to listeners. It is the work of an artist following her own path, and all the more compelling for it.
That same care extends beyond the music itself. Inspired by the DIY ethos, Cartmell is releasing Princess of Cups alongside a hand-printed zine featuring the accompanying story, while favouring platforms such as Bandcamp and the Welsh streaming service Mixxl over a conventional streaming-first approach. It reflects an artist more interested in building meaningful connections than chasing algorithms, and that sincerity runs through every aspect of the project.
Sad Cypress releases the double A-sided single ‘Sirens’ / ‘It Means A Lot To Me’ on 24 July, offering another glimpse into Princess of Cups. The two tracks showcase contrasting sides of her songwriting, from the myth-inspired harmonies of ‘Sirens’ to the intimate, spiritual reflections of ‘It Means A Lot To Me’. You can download the EP via Bandcamp or Mixxl at https://mixxl.fm/
