When it comes to setting an atmosphere, ‘Siren’ by Sad Cypress manages to be very effective in record time. The track’s opening bars suggest a mix of dreampop and sadcore influences, creating a pleasing mix of indie and folk. The bright accompanying vocal also puts in some hard yards, with the performer’s crying tones mixing broad indie pop strokes with the pure tones of Sally Oldfield. Allowing the melody to grow, a steady rhythm and warm bass build up a tune that has occasional echoes of something delivered by Kate Bush circa ‘Never For Ever’, while retaining enough of its own character to be a hugely effective vehicle for Sad’s own talents. …And then, having reeled in the listener with something very interesting, the everything stops dead. This isn’t done in a way that seeks to wrong-foot or frustrate the audience, but it still has the effect of leaving everyone wondering where such a broad, sweeping melody might have gone, if only it had been allowed to grow further.

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