Prog heads, assemble – Plini is back with a brand new album, An Unnameable Desire, landing April 24, and it’s shaping up to be another brain-melting addition to his already stacked catalogue.
Across 10 tracks, the Aussie guitar wizard’s third full-length promises to push his signature blend of technical wizardry and emotional depth even further – dialing everything up in every direction. Heavier riffs? Heavier. Prettier moments? Prettier. Finger-breaking passages? Good luck. It’s the kind of “why would you even try to play that???” energy prog fans absolutely live for.
Plini – ‘An Unnameable Desire’
Alongside the announcement, Plini has dropped the album’s title track (spin above) – a deceptively breezy first taste that (according to the man himself) is intentionally not showing all its cards. Despite his reputation as one of the most revered guitarists in the game, the track notably sidesteps a traditional solo, instead leaning into mood, texture and storytelling – setting the tone for what he describes as a “whimsical first chapter” before things inevitably get weirder.
“I picked this as the first single because it sets the tone/sound of the album without really giving anything away,” shares Plini. “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.”
An Unnameable Desire also sees Plini linking up with a stacked crew of collaborators, including longtime creative partner Simon Grove, plus Chris Allison, Dave McKay, A.J. Minette and more – all contributing to the album’s rich, multi-dimensional sound. But at its core, the process hasn’t changed: just Plini, a guitar, and a lot of very dangerous rabbit holes.
With past albums like Handmade Cities and Impulse Voices cementing his status as one of the most exciting names in instrumental prog, and a global tour locked in for 2026, this next chapter feels less like a big evolution.
Further Reading
Karnivool Officially Announce First New Album In 12 Years, ‘In Verses’
Monolith Festival 2022 Review – Karnivool Lead Prog Rock Masterclass in Melbourne
