Benjamino releases debut record Cucino

Sydney-based artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Cauduro, better known under his creative alias Benjamino, has spent years developing his sound from both sides of the studio glass. A seasoned audio engineer and collaborator, he’s worked with a wide range of local and international artists, becoming a familiar name within Australia’s music scene. But in recent years, Benjamino has been making an impact as a solo artist with a sound that reflects both his technical talents and his curiosity as a creator.

Since releasing his first solo material in 2020, Benjamino has been going from strength to strength as one of Australia’s most inventive and genre-fluid artists. His music stands at the crossroads of alternative R&B, nu-disco and dream pop, offering a cinematic blend of groove and thoughtful reflection. His sonic output carries a sense of playfulness and emotional context, brought to life by stellar production that only years of studio experience can bring.

Over the past few years, Benjamino’s rise has been marked by collaborations and live performances that highlight his growing reputation as a must watch artist. His partnership with indie R&B musician meadowhip on “On Repeat” took the pair on a sold-out East Coast tour through Brisbane, Melbourne, and Wollongong, before they reunited for a collaborative performance at Coldplay’s Sydney Olympic Park show last November.

Now, Benjamino unveils his debut full-length album titled Cucino, a project that delivers a listening experience that’s musically enjoyable, emotionally meaningful and lighthearted all at once. The title, Italian for “I cook,” nods to his heritage while also serving as a metaphor for his creative process; just as a chef layers flavours, textures and ingredients, Benjamino blends sonic elements, emotional nuances and stylistic flourishes to craft something delicious and nourishing.

Across twelve tracks, Cucino is served like a multi-course meal, opening with the light and playful “Antipasto,” it moves through the pattering grooves, shimmering instrumentation and buoyant vocal leads of “9 Minutes.” With “Boring With You,” he casts a dazzling pop outing that flows with laid back rhythm energy and soulful vocals which glide above bright instrumental textures.

The layered richness of courses “Primo (The Gatekeeper)” and “Secondo” add charm throughout the release while “In The Shadows” brings theatrical choral backing voices as Benjamino’s commanding vocal leads soar above the stuttered shuffle of the beat. The sweet bite of “Dolce” presents a delightful dance-focused moment before “Thrill of the Chase” lays down a spectacular collaboration with OPIA, delivering a disco-inflected outing brimming with invigorating grooves and dreamy instrumental tones cut with alluring vocals.

Recent single “Own Two Feet” brings the album to a playful finale, whisking up a bouncy jam packed full of colourful instrumentation, punchy percussion and catchy vocal hooks. Each section of the record offers its own distinct mood, mirroring how food and music can shift with emotion, time and place. It’s an elegant framework for an album that’s stacked with variety, yet maintains an engaging sense of cohesion throughout, resulting in an incredible debut LP from an exciting solo artist on the rise.

Commenting on the release, Benjamino shares, “The idea for attaching a concept to the album was born out of the sheer magnitude of the task. Writing, producing and mixing all of this myself was both fun and daunting, so having a structure in place with the ‘Italian Menu’ idea helped to compartmentalise everything.”

Listen to Cucino below