Sicilian guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso has unveiled details of his eagerly awaited second album, Route 96.

Sicilian guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso has unveiled details of his eagerly awaited second album, Route 96.

​Release date: april 24, 2026
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Sicilian guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso has announced his highly anticipated second album, Route 96, set for release on April 24 via Music Theories Recordings. The new record features special guest appearances from Steve Vai, Antoine Boyer, and Valeriy Stepanov.

Alongside the announcement, Mancuso has unveiled the official video for “Isla Feliz,” a vibrant, Latin-influenced track featuring the dazzling gypsy jazz stylings of Boyer.

Following the breakout success of his 2023 debut album The Journey, Mancuso—hailed as a “rare bird” (Rara Avis)—quickly established himself as one of the most exciting guitarists of his generation. His extraordinary fingerstyle technique and compositional depth drew praise from leading figures such as Tosin Abasi, Al Di Meola, Dweezil Zappa, and Vai, while earning him international recognition, major magazine covers, and sold-out tours across Europe and the United States.

Now 29 and based in Palermo, Mancuso returns with Route 96, a record that reflects both artistic growth and renewed creative confidence. Unlike his debut, which was developed over three years, the new album was written and recorded within a single year—resulting in a more cohesive and focused sonic identity.

“This album came together much faster, and I think that helped make it more uniform,” Mancuso explains. “Each track is different, but they share a common sound and direction. I also feel these compositions are more original and melodically stronger—it represents who I am musically much better.”

Route 96 showcases a more refined and orchestrated approach to songwriting, with Mancuso embracing a streamlined creative process compared to the exploratory nature of his debut. The album was recorded at Fico D’India Studios and produced by Mancuso alongside his father, Vincenzo Mancuso.

The core trio on the album features Riccardo Oliva (bass) and Gianluca Pellerito (drums), whose dynamic interplay underpins Mancuso’s virtuosic guitar work. Lead single “Isla Feliz,” the first composition written for the album, blends Latin influences with classical and electric textures, elevated by Boyer’s distinctive contribution.

Elsewhere on the record, “Solar Wind” includes a guest appearance from Vai, while “Warm Sunset” pays tribute to Mancuso’s Latin inspirations. The ambitious “Fire And Harmony” stands out as the album’s most expansive and intricate composition to date.

The album’s title, Route 96, carries dual significance: referencing Mancuso’s birth year and the 96kHz recording format recommended by Vai during production.

With a busy international touring schedule planned for 2026, Mancuso is eager to bring this new material to audiences worldwide.
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“I understand my musical identity much better now,” he says. “This album helped me focus on what I truly love in music. It feels more honest—less about studying, more about listening and expressing. Route 96 is a clearer reflection of who I am.”
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Tracklist

​01 - Solar Wind (Ft. Steve Vai)
02 - Fire And Harmony
03 - Isla Feliz (Ft. Antoine Boyer)
04 - L.A. Blues One
05 - The Great Wall
06 - Warm Sunset
07 - Black Centurion
08 - In The Morning Light
 
​Bonus Track – The Chicken (Ft. Valeriy Stepanov)
 
 

Matteo Mancuso: Guitars
 Riccardo Oliva: Bass
 Gianluca Pellerito: Drums
Giuseppe Bruno: Drums on Warm Sunset
 
Guests:
Steve Vai: Guitar on “Solar Wind”
Antoine Boyer: Guitar on “Isla Feliz”
 Valeriy Stepanov: Keyboard on “The Chicken”
 
  
Produced by Matteo Mancuso and Vincenzo Mancuso
 Mixed & Mastered by Enrico Capalbo e Simone Zoldan (Fonoprint Studios)
 Recorded at Fico D’India Studios (Casteldaccia - Italy)
 Photography by Filippo Silvestris