After three live albums of so-called Diversions – including an inventive treatment of songs by Robert Wyatt and Antony & the Johnsons, and a rousing brass band collaboration – the Unthanks release their first studio album in four years. This is a return to the gentle melancholia of Last, and while there are fine vocals from the Unthank sisters, the dominant figure is Rachel’s husband, Adrian McNally, who plays keyboards and percussion, and produced and wrote much of the music. The album starts with the lengthy title track, in which a traditional melody is matched with an elaborate wash of piano, strings and drifting, jazz-influenced trumpet work from Tom Arthurs, before building to a gently epic finale. From there on in, the mood rarely alters. It’s a lush, often exquisite set; the best track, Magpie, features spooky harmony vocals from Rachel and Becky against a simple drone backing.
