Sylvain Chauveau returns to 130701 (FatCat Records post-classical imprint) with The Complexity Of The Simple, his sixteenth solo album and a refined statement from one of Europes most established minimalist composers. Following earlier releases on the labelUn autre dcembre (2003) and Simple (2012)this new work deepens Chauveaus long-standing exploration of reduction, clarity, and attentive listeningwhat he has previously described as quiet-core.

Written between 2016 and 2025 and assembled in early 2025, the album brings together pieces shaped by two interconnected ideas: the experience of radical simplicity, and a reflection on the material future of music itself. A formative visit to the closed Zen garden of Tokaian Temple in Kyotoan austere expanse of white gravel marked only by pure linesleft a lasting imprint on Chauveaus approach. Its silence, restraint, and structural precision resonate throughout the record.

At the same time, The Complexity Of The Simple quietly addresses the changing conditions of cultural production. Acknowledging the music industrys historic dependence on fossil fuels and the growing necessity of ecological transition, Chauveau experiments with sustainable principles: acoustic instrumentation, minimal technological reliance, and compositions conceived to exist without amplification or large-scale infrastructure. The result is music that is both intimate and forward-looking.

Influenced by minimal and abstract artechoed in the albums title, borrowed from a 2007 exhibition featuring artists such as Agnes Martin, Donald Judd, and Mark Rothkothe record sits confidently within the contemporary post-classical landscape while maintaining Chauveaus distinctive voice.

Elegant, restrained, and conceptually resonant, The Complexity Of The Simple will appeal to audiences of post-classical, minimal, and ambient music, as well as listeners drawn to artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Arvo Prt, and the 130701 catalogue. It is a thoughtful and timely addition to Chauveaus extensive body of work and a strong release for discerning record stores and distributors