Globally renowned pianist, composer and multi-instrumentalist RIOPY, has announced his upcoming 2026 and fifth album, Be Love, and is releasing his first lyrical release of his career, ‘Long Way Home’, on October 24 via Warner Classics.
Following the release of Be Love singles ‘Piano 17’ and ‘American Dream’, RIOPY unveils ‘Long Way Home’, a defining release that sees the chart-topping pianist-composer lend his voice to record for the first time in his career.
His recent collaboration with Lana Del Rey on the single ‘Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing’ helped RIOPY discover the powerful, symbiotic connection between singing and his cinematic piano soundscapes. That relationship now shapes ‘Long Way Home’ and much of Be Love.
“I had this compulsion, this need to use my voice, because I think it’s one of the biggest fears I’ve had throughout my life. But it’s something I really enjoy doing,” RIOPY explains. “I started just whispering… it’s not a new me, it’s just an expansion of what I do. It felt right, because I needed to do this.”
He continues: “This is the first time I’ve ever released a track with my own voice on it. For years I stayed behind the piano, but singing has become an important part of my healing. When I was very sick, I discovered how singing and humming stimulated my vagus nerve and warmed my whole body. It became a tool for recovery – something I never expected, but something I needed.”
Written during a period of illness and recovery, Be Love became a vessel for healing and creative renewal. A return to RIOPY’s cinematic piano roots, the album also captures his fearless leap into new territory. The 12 track project balances six instrumental pieces with six expansive vocal works, where RIOPY experiments with his voice, from meditative whispers that stimulate the vagus nerve to raw, emotive lyricism.
“The album is called Be Love because that’s the only thing that matters. Be love. And if we all love, then everything is fine,” RIOPY explains.
“‘Long Way Home’ explores something more personal… a moment of truth and transformation. It’s one of the most important pieces of this album, capturing both vulnerability and strength… When you feel you’re dying, you don’t have anything to lose anymore. Whatever you feel, you do. Leap of faith. Just do what I love. And I’m loving it.”
The accompanying music video for ‘Long Way Home’ was creatively directed and filmed by RIOPY’s close friend and world-renowned documentary filmmaker Greg Williams, who also developed the album visuals. Captured in an atmosphere of safety, joy, and love, the video reflects the same warmth and emotional depth that runs through the album, bringing its themes of connection and healing to life.
With over a billion streams worldwide, chart-topping albums, and collaborations ranging from Lana Del Rey to neuroscience-backed meditation projects, RIOPY has built a reputation for music that is classical, cinematic, and deeply personal. A testament to his distinctive sound and compositional dynamism, recent single ‘Piano 17’ has been described by BBC Radio 3’s Elizabeth Alker as “reminiscent of Steve Reich in its energy and rhythm”.
Be Love stands as the culmination of RIOPY’s career to date, introducing his voice and presenting a collection of tracks exploring survival, healing, and connection.
RIOPY’s upcoming album Be Love is released January 16, 2026, with live tour dates soon to be announced. Lead single ‘Long Way Home’ is released on all digital platforms on October 24.
