Reviews

Artist:The Unthanks
Album: In Winter
Label: Rabble Rouser
Tracks: 19
Website: https://www.the-unthanks.com/

The Unthanks' "In Winter" is a musical journey that invites listeners into the depths of winter's cold, dark embrace while offering a comforting warmth through the unique blend of folk, jazz, and classical influences. This album is not just a collection of songs, but an exploration of the emotional landscape associated with the season of winter, both its harshness and its beauty. As one of the most distinctive folk acts in the UK, The Unthanks manage to create a work that is deeply atmospheric, evocative, and emotionally resonant.

At the core of The Unthanks' sound is the ethereal, yet commanding vocal style of sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank. Their voices intertwine seamlessly, rich with emotion, and always present an element of haunting beauty. In Winter is no exception, and their harmonies serve as the album's backbone, drawing listeners into the often melancholic world of winter. Whether singing in unison or in delicate counterpoint, their vocals have a depth that is at once otherworldly and deeply human.

The album opens with "In Winter's Night a mournful, poetic ballad that sets the tone for much of what is to follow, immediately establishes the wintery themes that run through the album. The delicate piano work, the soft strings, and the atmospheric sounds all enhance the sense of loss and longing at the heart of the song. It's a track that feels both ancient and timeless, its mournful tone reminding listeners of the cycles of life, loss, and the passage of time.

Throughout In Winter, The Unthanks continue to explore themes of isolation, nature, and the slow, reflective pace of winter. "Nurse Emmanuel" with its rolling rhythm and delicate instrumentation, conjures images of the quiet toil of winter's labour. It's one of the few songs on the album that doesn't see the sisters in the lead. As more voices join the song, it serves as a reminder that it is through the efforts of others that we thrive, though the title kept me thinking of "Open All Hours". The beauty of The Unthanks' work is in how they take these simple images and transform them into something profound, their songs effortlessly blending the mundane and the extraordinary.

The inclusion of various traditional folk elements in In Winter also highlights the band's roots. While they are firmly part of the modern folk revival, they manage to incorporate historical depth into their work without ever sounding dated. Songs like "The Snow It Melts the Soonest" and "We Were All One" are steeped in traditional folk influences but benefit from The Unthanks' modern sensibilities. The use of jazz influences, particularly in the song The carol selection adds a layer of complexity and sophistication, making the album feel dynamic and multifaceted. These stylistic nuances are subtle but noticeable, offering a fresh take on the folk genre while still honoring its history.

In terms of production, In Winter is exquisitely crafted. The arrangements are lush, with the inclusion of instruments like violin, cello, and piano complementing the raw power of the sisters' voices. The music itself is spare but lush in the way it layers textures-there is a sense of restraint that makes each note feel significant. Producer Adrian McNally, who also plays on the album, has an uncanny ability to create a sound that is both intimate and expansive. The delicate, sparse arrangements leave room for the songs to breathe, ensuring that each note and lyric has its moment to resonate.

Thematically, the album's exploration of winter's contrasts-its beauty and desolation, its stillness and its power-is a driving force. The Unthanks approach the season not as a static time of year, but as one rich with emotional complexity. The bitter cold, the endless nights, and the fleeting light of winter become metaphors for moments of emotional vulnerability, love, and sorrow.

One of the album's highlights is "Tar Barrel In Dale" a song that encapsulates the core of In Winter. With its slow, meditative pace, the track revolves around themes of patience and endurance in the face of hardship. The rawness of the vocals, combined with the subtle strings and light percussion, conjures a feeling of introspection-of waiting through the winter months for something or someone. The song feels like the emotional heart of the album, tying together its broader themes of time, endurance, and the passage of seasons.

In conclusion, In Winter is a deeply evocative, haunting album that captures the essence of winter in all its emotional complexity. The Unthanks have created a work that is not just a seasonal collection of songs, but an exploration of human experiences-grief, love, longing, and the endurance required to get through the darkest months. It's an album that demands to be listened to closely, with each layer of sound revealing more depth. The Unthanks have firmly cemented their place in contemporary folk with In Winter, offering an album that will resonate long after the last snow has fallen.

Angie Ingrams

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