Few artists in modern instrumental music command the same level of respect and anticipation as Plini. The Australian guitarist, composer, and producer has built a reputation on pushing boundaries, and in 2026, he is set to take another significant leap forward with his upcoming album An Unnameable Desire, due out April 24.
Spanning ten tracks, An Unnameable Desire promises a dynamic and immersive journey—balancing staggering technical intricacy with moments of surging heaviness and breathtaking melodic beauty. It’s a record that looks to expand Plini’s already vast sonic palette, pushing his musical identity into new and uncharted territory.
To mark the announcement, Plini has unveiled the album’s title track alongside a visually captivating music video. But as with much of his work, there’s more beneath the surface.
“I picked this as the first single because it sets the tone of the album without really giving anything away,” Plini explains. “I’m known as a guitarist, but this song doesn’t even really contain a guitar solo. Much like the video, it’s the whimsical first chapter of an adventure, and hopefully gives a false sense of security for what’s to come.”
That sense of curiosity and restraint speaks volumes about what lies ahead.
Behind the scenes, An Unnameable Desire brings together an impressive collective of collaborators, with longtime creative partner Simon Grove once again playing a key role across bass, auxiliary guitar, mixing, engineering, and co-production. Chris Allison returns on drums, while Dave McKay contributes piano, keyboards, and synth work.
Further depth is added through string arrangements by A.J. Minette, with performances from Misha Vayman on violin and Yoshi Masuda on cello. Additional creative touches come from Devesh Dayal, Jakub Zytecki, and Emily Hopkins, ensuring the album is as rich in texture as it is in technicality.
Despite the scale of collaboration, the heart of the record remains deeply personal.
“Something I’m very happy about is that the process hasn’t changed,” Plini shares. “It’s still just me sitting in a room, tinkering on a guitar until I find something interesting and following it down different rabbit holes until it feels like a song.”
That organic approach fuels the album’s core philosophy—embracing playfulness while elevating every musical element to its fullest potential.
“The intention with this album was to let that side of the process be as playful as possible,” he adds, “and then expand the music in every direction possible—the heavier parts should be heavier, the pretty parts should be prettier, the hard-to-play stuff should be harder.”
Since the release of Handmade Cities in 2016 and Impulse Voices in 2020, Plini has continued to cement himself as one of the most forward-thinking voices in modern progressive music. His ability to merge technical brilliance with emotional resonance has set him apart, earning global recognition and a dedicated following.
With An Unnameable Desire, that evolution continues.
And if the title track is anything to go by, this next chapter may be his most ambitious yet.
AN UNNAMEABLE DESIRE – OUT APRIL 24
https://www.plini.co/
