2015 Roberts released a self-titled album, a return to relative sparseness of earlier albums, and in 2017 Pangs, which was again a more collaborative album, featuring musicians with whom Roberts has previously worked – Stevie Jones, Tom Crossley and Alex Neilson – and backing vocals from Debbie Armour. Each album has a distinct character, and Roberts songwriting has shifted in recent years from the relative economy of Farewell Sorrow and The Amber Gatherers to a much denser wordplay, filled with allusions to mythology, esoteric spirituality and gnosticism, on Spoils and other recent releases. In 2012, musician Steve Adey covered "Farewell Sorrow" on his The Tower of Silence album. Collaborations Roberts is quoted as saying "Collaboration is extremely important to me. I reiterate – extremely". His collaborations have taken many forms. Accompanying musicians A large number of musicians have played with Alasdair Roberts when recording or performing under his own name. These include: Electric bass: Gerard Love, Gareth Eggie, Bill Lowman, Will Oldham, Paul Oldham Stand-up bass: Stevie Jones Fiddle: Rafe Fitzpatrick, Alastair Caplin, Elle Osborne, John McCusker Drums: Alex Neilson, Shane Connolly, Rian Murphy, Tom Crossley Guitar: Gordon Ferries, Gareth Eggie, RM Hubbert Cello: Isobel Campbell, Christine Hanson Piano: Tom Crossley, Isobel Campbell, Emily MacLaren Vocals: Emily Portman, Will Oldham, Tom Crossley, Niko-Matti Ahti, Debbie Armour Jouhikko: Pekko Käppi Viol: Alison McGillivray Harpsichord, harmonium: David McGuiness Harp: Kirsten Koppel, Bill Lowman Pipes: Donald Lindsay Group, ensemble and duo work In 2001, Roberts collaborated with friends and label-mates Will Oldham and Jason Molina, both playing on their albums and on the one-off album, Amalgamated Sons of Rest. With members of the Second Hand Marching Band, Roberts is part of The Robert Tannahill Project, dedicated to performing the songs of Scots poet Robert Tannahill. Roberts took part in a week-long residency in Aldeburgh, titled "Revenge of the Folksingers" and led by Concerto Caledonia's David McGuinness, in December 2010. Other participants included the members of Concerto Caledonia, Jim Moray and Olivia Chaney. Roberts contributed an original song, as well as singing songs by Ivor Cutler, Benjamin Britten, Hamish Henderson and from the traditional repertoire. An album with the same title and selection of songs was released in 2011. In 2010, Roberts performed a suite of songs written by the Icelandic artist Benni Hemm Hemm as part of the Reykjavik Arts Festival Roberts collaborated with Karine Polwart on a series of performances in Stirling,