New York cellist Mariel Roberts’s new album Armament comprises improvised solo works, recorded with Patrick Higgins (Zs) at the mixing desk and released on Shahzad Ismaily’s figureight records. Its extended technique cello performances set contrasting elements against each other, resulting in sparse near-silence swallowed into overwhelming noise and elegiac melancholy. Roberts has performed on four continents, most notably as a member and co-director of The Wet Ink Ensemble.

marielroberts.com, figureightrecords.com