She's been called one of the finest emerging songwriters around and now Natalie McCool is jumping into the unknown with her new album.

The Liverpool-born singer, who will perform in Glasgow on Thursday, released The Great Unknown, the follow-up to her 2013 self-titled debut, earlier this month.

The new album is a musical odyssey that follows Natalie as she embarks on a two year quest of self-discovery and enlightenment.

"It's a journey through my experiences dealing with the making and breaking of relationships and self-discovery," she says. "The story of the last two years of my life.

"The title is a song lyric from one of the tracks 'Oh Danger'. That song was inspired firstly by my, now conquered, fear of flying and then more widely by the elements of risk in our everyday lives, from walking down the street to less tangible things like developing feeling for someone. That's kind of like a risk on your part.

"I think the lyric really sums up one of the biggest themes of the album - jumping into the unknown. A lot of the songs are about that. Whether that unknown is a happy place or a dark place, the songs have a real range from light to dark which is reflected even down to the album artwork."

Natalie’s emotive debut was packed full of rousing choruses, prickly pop tunes and dark, gloomy indie tracks.

However, her new album marks a big departure, with the pop songstress's focus moving towards a much more stripped back, synth laden sound.

"It's more minimal," she says. "Specifically regarding drums, and there are more synths, bigger guitar parts. It's a lot more raw, fierce and emotional than my first album, which when I listen to it sounds really mature compare to this one! I love that though, the journey from one record to another.

"A lot of the songs from this album are really fierce and I’m looking forward to singing them completely in the moment."

However, the personal lyrics and honesty which caught the attention of fans on her debut are definitely here to stay.

"I always write as honestly and unashamedly as I can," she says. "There are songs on the album about specific people in my life which I am completely unabashed by. I think when you write songs as an artist you have to throw out all self-conscious thought and doubt, that's the only way to completely express yourself."

The lilt-pop star first came to the music world's attention after winning a national song writing competition judged by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

It's an experience that encouraged her to be more experimental with her sound.

"I got some really good feedback from the judges," she says. "Which made me think about trying different things in song writing and recording. It was a really cool experience."

She has now risen through the ranks of the UK indie world, amassing a legion of famous fans, including Radio 1 new music champions Huw Stephens and Alice Levine.

She has even collaborated with indie and Suede legend Bernard Butler on one of her singles.

"That was through Steve Levine who produced my first album," she says. "Bernard put guitar down on one of the singles. He is an absolute legend.

“I was lucky enough to work with him again at Liverpool International Music Festival, we played the single life for the festival at St George's Hall."

Natalie is now preparing to perform her new material for fans at The Hug and Pint in Glasgow on Thursday, September 22.

It may not be Glasgow’s biggest venue, but it's definitely a big change for Natalie who performed her first show in the city in someone's house.

"I've played one show in Glasgow before,” she says. “I did a house tour so it was in a living room.

“I have to say it was one of the best nights on the tour, if not the best. Great crowd and we went to Nice & Sleazy's afterwards too."

Natalie McCool will play The Hug and Pint on Thursday, September 22.