They've been away for a long time, not just due to that virus. Sisters Rachel and Becky have been busy with other projects including a score for Mackenzie Crook's Worzel Gummidge and works inspired by Emily Bronte and Molly Drake. So this album feels overdue.
There are many who will revel in this delicious scoop of accessible and enjoyable folk. There is no fustiness here, no shanties or jigs. But the anticipated harmonies are as moving as ever – cutting through 2022's nonsense to deliver something achingly pure. Opener "The Great Selkie of Sule Skerry" is an old song from Orkney concerning a creature that can metamorphose between human and seal form, which is followed by "The Sandgate Dandling Song", an epic tale of domestic abuse, with a new verse added giving the offending male space to voice his regret (sung by Adrian McNally). They both clock in at around eight minutes in length and cover classic Unthanks territory – fine musicianship matched by ethereal vocals that simply demand you stop and listen. Then things change in tempo and tone – "The Old News" is a new composition with an upbeat almost pop-like essence.
Another new song, "The Isabella Colliery Coke Ovens", sounds as if it will concern another tragic tale but is actually a celebration of happy, fleeting moments, elevated by a melodious trumpet motif. "The Royal Blackbird" is another old song – Jacobean, in fact – given a modern interpretation bringing it bursting to life (there had to be a bird song on here, right? In fact there are two – "The Singing Bird" is a melancholic marvel). That is their forté, of course, celebrating the vernacular and humble with magisterial flare. The sisters and their band are still doing things their way (they toured this album last summer – months before its release).
The nine-minute title track finishes this soul-salving album. Begone misery! For centuries voices have risen up together in celebration and thankfulness and this tradition is in able hands with The Unthanks. The entire result echoes with hope, and a joy at being able to sing together, to make music with a group and to generally share. And songs old and new speak equally well of everyday human emotions which, despite the helter-skelter speed of change and modernisation, are pretty enduring.
