In 2023, Sicilian guitarist Matteo Mancuso took the world by storm with his debut offering The Journey. It quickly became one of the most critically acclaimed instrumental guitar albums of its time, following in the footsteps of world-beating greats such as Steve Vai, Pat Metheny and Guthrie Govan. With his perfect storm of dazzling fingerstyle technique, beautifully crafted compositions and ability to improvise masterfully on the fly, he was welcomed with open arms by guitar gods like Joe Bonamassa and Tosin Abasi – all of whom praised him for the innovative talent and flair that was, as Al Di Meola himself put it, “light years ahead”. The music press was also equally as encouraging and engaging, with Guitar World magazine naming Mancuso as “the young guitarist redefining virtuosity.
This year, the 29-year-old Palermo-based prodigy returns with his second solo album, titled Route 96. While his debut was made over the course of three years, this latest release was written and recorded to a much faster timeline, as is often the case with sophomore records.
“I had to squeeze it all into 2025,” he explains. “Everything you hear on the album was recorded last year. “It was so much faster, and I think it was for the best, because the album came out more homogeneous and uniform. Every tune is different, of course, but there are also some sonic qualities that are very similar”.
“This album has come at the right time. I want to have a busy 2026 in terms of tours, but I don’t want to perform the songs from the debut album. I wanted something newer and fresher. These ideas are more original and melodically stronger. There are more explorations, harmonically speaking. I think it shows who I am musically a lot better.”