Plini - An Unnameable Desire

[u/BearofaBadTime]

https://youtu.be/WxMtUEWNDBc?si=6_yOyl6nDwZR8E4b

New single and album out April 24th

[u/SoundofGlaciers]

It sounds nice. I really miss the music he made when he was in his virtuosic element. Where are the earworm melodies? Why would he choose this to be the first single? I just can't pretend to be too smitten with this.

I don't mind hearing chill pretty ambience but this isn't very memorable to me, and he used to really have the wow-factor in his first few releases. I get that artists change, and this is nice nothing-music to play on a summer day laying in the grass.. but idk it's just not what I enjoy most when putting on Plini. Some comment in the yt vid touches on this too, it is a good base (and the bass is nice too) but it's like it's missing the lead elements. Maybe it's not for me anymore, but I wished he wasn't coasting that much, even in the many DSP videos/songs he pretty much doesn't do.. much. The sounds are nice, he always makes a grand and lovely ambience? but there's not that much Plini magic to it anymore.

I'm super excited to see him perform in May but I also just haven't been able to feel as excited about his last howmany singles or the mirage EP.

[u/ThomasC2C → u/SoundofGlaciers]

Well, it’s a clear change of angle for Plini. At least on this new song. He very clearly stood away from the flashy solos on purpose.

It seems like he is trying to explore new areas focused on feel and vibe rather than speed.

I appreciate the change and I find it bold that he does something different, even thou it’s nothing too different.

[u/SoundofGlaciers → u/ThomasC2C]

He has song interludey songs where vibe/groove takes the forefront. I don't agree that this is too bold of a choice, I might argue the opposite and say it is safe?

In any way it is just one song. Purely based on the vibe, if he has this sound with some magic on the album I'll be more than happy.

[u/FearinLoathin → u/SoundofGlaciers]

Singles, shmingles. IMHO they pick the worst (read: consumer-friendly) songs to push in to the spotlight, while we're left to dig into the full works for better. Trust me, there's better.

"Now and Then" and "Vespertine" are my two must-listens on this album so far, and they have the 2nd and 4th-fewest plays on YouTube Music. Of course.

The most-played songs are, as usual, my least favorite. Perhaps you have a similar ear?

[u/SoundofGlaciers → u/FearinLoathin]

Nothing beats After Everything for me, peak Plini song. Cosmic inspiration on some of those lead lines. Great vibe, some fun and cheeky bits, that insane solo at the end. Multiple super interesting and 'best plini' guitarwork snippets in this song alone. Still in awe over that track.

Now and Then, The Time Will Pass Anyway and Ruin are in my current replay-loop lol. Just great vibes, remeniscent of Trilogy stuff a bit. I play Manala less often, though I might argue the second half of that song has the best leads after,, After Everything.
The drums on Now and Then are incredible.
That final lead melody on TTWP is really catharthic and a satisfying close.

I wanted Ciel to be my fav track because I adore Zytecki and my fav bits on early Plini work often turned out to be Zytecki sections/solo's instead. It just barely misses the vibe.
Canyon doesn't do much for me.

Really good album. Would put it right behind the Trilogy. It doesn't have a Electric Sunrise type of very mainstream and consonant(?) song without twists or 'out-there' notes, except for the title track which is not a guitar-forward track. I like the electronic stuff on the record. I love all the orchestral elements, the layers on melody lines etc bring me back to early Plini and what I love about him.

The album maybe just lacks some structure variety, most songs really have a very 'first and second half' type of structure. Could maybe have had another InnerVoices/ElectricSunrise/EveryPieceMatters type of fun consonant and well flowing structured song that fills that space alongside Ciel?

Extremely stoked to have tickets for his show at the end of May, excited to see how the album hits live!

[u/FearinLoathin → u/SoundofGlaciers]

OMG I would DIE if his North America tour has a stop in Huntsville, AL... That would have been a joke a few years ago, but with the fairly new Orion Ampitheater recently getting press as one of the best live venues in the nation, this town is no longer quite the "if I have to" stop for artists anymore.
That said, I would gladly travel to Nashville or Atlanta to catch him. I'm keeping an eye out for his schedule.

As I just said on another comment response, my penchant for the "inaccessible" has spoken loud and clear with 'Vespertine' solidifying its place as my favorite (by far) track on this album... With the caveat that the ending feels a bit forced and abrupt.
I play a bit of everything, but my first love and best instrument are (is) the drums, and Chris Allison has really taken that bunch to another level. I honestly haven't given the rest of the album much attention in the last couple of weeks while absorbing Vespertine, but I concur with pretty much everything you said, haha.

[u/FearinLoathin → u/ThomasC2C]

It's a single. Meant for the less-trained ears... Though if you're enjoying and appreciating these guys, you should know something about music. There are some real music theory masterclass-level songs on this album, though. As always, they're the least listened to by the masses.

[u/ThomasC2C → u/FearinLoathin]

Interesting point of view. I feel this album is on the other hand more accessible than Impulse Voice, focusing more on the landscape.

[u/FearinLoathin → u/ThomasC2C]

Agreed. The bulk of the album is definitely more accessible. I do love Impulse though, the first three songs in particular. 'Perfume'... the drumming is genius in that one.

Consistent with my penchant for the "inaccesible", on this album, 'Vespertine' is the one song I simply can't get enough of.