That the Delgados were underappreciated during the band’s existence is only further underscored by how infrequently you hear the Scottish quartet’s name mentioned—at least on this side of the pond—now that they’re gone. One of the band’s principal voices, Emma Pollock has since gone on to pursue a solo career, as well as other projects like The Fruit Tree Foundation, and is now on her third solo record, In Search of Harperfield (Chemikal Underground Records).

Where the lilting songs of 2010’s The Law of Large Numbers broke from the majestic nature of the Delgados’ later work, In Search of Harperfield seems to bridge the gap. The opening “Cannot Keep a Secret” starts simply with a smattering of voices and twinkling tones before building to a crescendo as Pollock commands, “Somebody hold me back.” Fortunately, she is unrestrained throughout the record. She imbues the album with an emotional intensity regardless of whether she is traipsing across lush backings of strings (“Clemency,” “Intermission”) or is simply matched to a rugged guitar line (“Vacant Stare”). Somewhere in between is “Parks and Recreation,” the record’s lead single which combines lyrical quirks with decidedly pop tones for a song on par with her old outfit’s best. The rest of the album exhibits a restless creativity that highlights Pollock’s gifts as both a songwriter and singer. As much as it pains me to say it, if she keeps making records like this, we may forget the Delgados after all.