Emma Pollock
In Search of Harperfield

Finally, after two pleasant but somewhat inconclusive episodes, Emma Pollock (Ex The Delgados), hits the mark with this well-conceived and highly successful “in search of Harperfield”.

There are different ways to tackle one's past and family stories (Sufjan Stevens “Carrie & Lowell”) but, for some reason, women always do it with a certain “cazzimma”, a vigor far removed from the navel-gazing tenderness of most men.

Those who appreciated The Delgados (seek out “the great eastern” and “Hate”) will recognize the Scottish mists even in this third work. However, we are facing more convincing and especially varied writing: alongside purely indie-pop episodes (“parks & recreation”, “don’t make me wait”, “vacant stare”) we find baroque pleasures (“alabaster”), folk digressions (“Clemency”, “Monster in the pack”) and chamber surprises (the highlight, the enchanting “intermission”).

Emma's voice remains the same: too beautiful to be relegated to the underground (listen to the closing “old ghosts” to find Dusty Springfield's splendid vibrato). Anyway, the band supports her with a sound that is balanced but certainly not particularly innovative. Perhaps, with songs this beautiful, more should have been dared.

It’s an album with its own urgency, well-made and one that can be listened to repeatedly.