The Unthanks are an English folk group celebrated for blending traditional Northumbrian music with a range of other genres. Formerly known as Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, they gained early acclaim with their debut album Cruel Sister, which was named Folk Album of the Year by Mojo in 2005. The group has consistently received high praise from the British press, with numerous albums earning top reviews. Their 2015 album Mount the Air won the best album award at the 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2017, the band released two albums dedicated to the work of Molly Drake. The ambitious Lines trilogy in 2019 explored female experiences through historical events and literature. Subsequent releases like Live and Unaccompanied and Sorrows Away continued to win critical acclaim, while their double album In Winter, released in 2024, was highly praised by major national publications. The Unthanks are known for their evocative harmonies, imaginative arrangements, and their thoughtful approach to storytelling through song.