Benjamino has today released his new album titled ‘Cucino’. I never thought I would say this, but, there is now a concept album based on my other hobby: cooking. How odd is that? Not that much, actually. In fact, Benjamino breaks it down into the core elements, and in doing so, shows the similarities there are between the ritual of cooking and the process of making music. You make something that, hopefully, others will love.
A lot of ‘Cucino’ (similar to cincina, or kitchen in Italian) brings me back to the days of AM radio and pre MTV pop, in a good way. Lazy hooks and cheeky takes on the chorus. Memorable and dancable all in one shot.
“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 compartmentalize everything.”
Benjamino
About ‘Cucino’
‘Cucino’ is a concept album built around the rhythm and ritual of cooking. Taking its name from the Italian word for “I cook”, the record unfolds like a menu, moving through the courses of a meal. It opens with the light and playful ‘Antipasto’, moves through the richness of ‘Primo’ and ‘Secondo’, and ends with a sweet finale under ‘Dolce’. Each section offers a distinct flavour and mood, mirroring how music, like food, can shift to suit the time of day or the feeling in the room.
Across ‘Cucino’, Benjamino folds together the precision of a studio craftsman with the instinct of a live performer. The result is a sound that feels both familiar and fresh, laced with vintage textures and anchored by rhythm. Keys, bass and guitar intertwine with warm synths and grooves that shimmer with movement, while his vocals glide between soulful falsetto and conversational ease. There’s a looseness to the record that keeps it human, a sense of spontaneity beneath the polish that invites each track to breathe.
Elegantly executed disco bursts with confidence, meeting meditative synths that bloom into shimmering jazz. Lively keys and buoyant basslines carry the charm of 1970s anthems, while piano-led ballads draw the dynamics inward for moments of introspection. Funk grooves and subtle percussion keep everything in motion with flashes of pop flair tying the record together into a vivid, immersive world of sound.
Benjamino leans into the freedom of modern artistry, releasing music in an era where fluidity between genres is celebrated rather than constrained. His love for diverse sounds underpins the album’s range, moving between styles with a self-described “poly-Jamorous” spirit. By framing the record within the concept of a meal, he was able to bring cohesion to its many flavors, allowing each track to complement the next like courses in a shared feast.
About Benjamino
Benjamino is the genre-bending project of Sydney-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Cauduro. Known for their rich blend of alt-R&B, nu-disco and dream pop, Benjamino crafts tracks that are both deeply introspective and made to move. Their music is packed with groove, wit, and a cinematic sense of emotion – blending intricate production with bold, heartfelt storytelling.
A seasoned audio engineer and lifelong musician, Benjamino has spent the past decade in the studio and on the stage, working with local and international artists and performing all across Australia. After years of writing and producing for others, Benjamino began releasing solo material in 2020, gradually establishing a sound that’s playful, polished, and unmistakably their own.
After collaborating with fellow alt-R&B artist meadowhip for On Repeat, they set sail on an East Coast tour of Australia, selling out shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and their hometown of Wollongong. The two also united for collaboration shows at the Coldplay event at Sydney Olympic Park in November 2024.
In 2025, they launched their most ambitious project yet: a series of monthly singles leading up to their debut album Cucino, due out in November. Named after the Italian word for “I cook,” the record is a lovingly crafted sonic meal – layered with lush production, playful storytelling, and emotional depth.
LINKS:
https://www.benjamino.com.au/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1eaNiZWQ6kgoqtQT0VsVY0
https://www.facebook.com/benjaminomusic
https://www.instagram.com/benjamino.music/
https://www.tiktok.com/@benjamino_music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfY3cFOevOCSbSOUIbcXeTQ