Released 10 years ago
In Search of Harperfield
Emma Pollock · 2016
44 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a haunting atmosphere that evokes both nostalgia and longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cannot Keep a Secret — This opening track sets the tone for the album, showcasing Pollock's distinctive vocal style and poignant storytelling right from the start.
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Alabaster — With its atmospheric instrumentation, this track highlights Pollock's knack for blending melancholy melodies with evocative lyrics that linger long after listening.
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In the Company of the Damned — This song features a compelling mix of haunting harmonies and introspective lyrics, encapsulating the album's themes of searching and self-reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, creating an atmospheric experience that rewards multiple listens.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that build in intensity, while the fourth track introduces a minimalist piano arrangement.
- Several tracks incorporate ambient soundscapes that create a sense of space, particularly in 'Intermission' and 'Dark Skies'.
- The album closes with a gradual deceleration in tempo, with the final track featuring a soft fade-out that leaves an echoing resonance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- ethereal melodies with introspective lyrics
- moments of haunting nostalgia
- short reflective listening breaks
- soft crescendos that invite contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced songs
- seek heavy production elements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In Search of Harperfield is Emma Pollock's third solo album, following her 2012 release, The Law of Large Numbers. By this time, Pollock had already established herself as a significant voice in the indie rock scene, having previously been a member of The Delgados, a band known for their influential role in shaping the sound of Scottish indie music during the early 2000s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Delgados· Laura Marling· Sufjan Stevens
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cannot Keep a Secret 4:24
- 2 Don’t Make Me Wait 4:08
- 3 Alabaster 4:32
- 4 Clemency 2:39
- 5 Intermission 4:47
- 6 Parks and Recreation 3:12
- 7 Vacant Stare 3:29
- 8 In the Company of the Damned 3:34
- 9 Dark Skies 3:29
- 10 Monster in the Pack 4:25
- 11 Old Ghosts 5:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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