For those not in the know, Joep Beving is a Dutch composer and a pianist.

In 2015 Beving released his debut album, Solipsism. Complete with modern classical atmospheric piano pieces he himself describes his compositions as "accessible music for complex emotions".

In 2017, his second album, Prehension, appeared in a similar style to his debut album and garnered more acclaim from his admirers and within the music industry.

Here on his brand new album, the rather stunning Conatus (released via Deutsche Grammophon), streaming sensation Beving presents us with new reworks by acclaimed and up and coming artists; such as iconic synth legend Suzanne Ciani and renowned Amsterdam DJ Tom Trago.

Indeed, the album features reworks of pieces from the aforementioned Solipsism and Prehension, as well as already foreshadowing Joep's next solo album with a rework of one of the new tracks.

1. 'Prelude'
2. 'For Steven' - Eefje de Visser Rework
3. 'Hanging D' - Colin Benders Rework
4. 'A Heartfelt Silence' - Andrea Belfi Rework
5. 'Ab Ovo' - CFCF Rework
6. 'The Light She Brings' - Thomas Bloch Version
7. 'Hanging D' - Cello Octet Amsterdam Version
8. 'Sleeping Lotus' - Tom Trago's Sixtine Remix
9. '432' - Suzanne Ciani Rework

Basically put, Conatus is a selection of reworks and a further expansion of Beving's desire to create a simple soundtrack to accompany our complex human emotions.

Furthermore, its title comes from the philosophical concept of conatus – an innate inclination of a thing to continue to exist and enhance itself.

"If you see music as a living organism, then it’s something that will always adapt to new circumstances in order to stay present," Beving explains. "This project is not about me. It is about the conatus of my music and for this album I’ve put their lives in other people’s hands.”

That said, and having listened to it three times through now in the one sitting, I have to say it's already become one of my favorites for 2018.

Starting off with the dulcet, quietly passive, ultimately stirring 'Prelude,' Beving moves seamlessly into ethereal, haunting 'For Steven,' the jaunty 'Hanging D,' and then both 'A Heartfelt Silence' (which is anything but, of course), and my favorite work, the stoic grandeur of 'Ab Ovo.'

'The Light She Brings' is yet another wondrous work, and is backed by 'Hanging D (Cello Octet Amsterdam Version),' which shines a delicious new light on the remodeled version, that's for sure. The longest track at nearly ten minutes is the building connectivity of 'Sleeping Lotus' with the album coming to a close with the lovely piano work within '432.'

Amazon Purchase Link

www.JoepBeving.com