Cranes, a British group formed in the mid-'80s, are celebrated for their ethereal and haunting sound led by the unique vocals of Alison Shaw. Their music spans dream pop, gothic rock, and darkwave genres, evolving from an abstract, industrial style to more accessible, pop-informed material over their career. The band, consisting primarily of siblings Alison and Jim Shaw, gained recognition for their albums like 1991's Wings of Joy and 1994's Forever, before returning with a slightly more electronic sound in the early 2000s.

In 2023, Cranes made a comeback with live performances after an 11-year hiatus, releasing archival collections like John Peel Sessions 1989-1990 and reissuing their early works such as Fuse in 2024. The band's legacy was further celebrated with the release of Collected Works, Vol. 1 (1989-1997) by Cherry Red, showcasing nearly all of their material from the Dedicated label. Throughout their journey, Cranes have captivated audiences with their atmospheric and genre-defying music, leaving a lasting impact on the alternative music scene.