OLIVIA J. BENNETT

I’m an arts writer, researcher and critic based in Australia, open to commissions and collaborations.

I also work as a freelance communications specialist across brand, content and cultural strategy.

If you’d like to see my portfolio or chat about a project, feel free to get in touch.

Gertrude Contemporary Emerging Writers Program | 2020
Melbourne International Film Festival’s Critics Campus | 2019

SOUNDS OF GRIEVING

Fleshwater

Written by Olivia J. Bennett
Edited by Isabella Trimboli
Published in print by The Big Issue AU
Issue #704 | 02 February 2024

Fleshwater's debut We’re Not Here To Be Loved (2022) captivated fans with its emotive blend of shoegaze and post-hardcore. Their sophomore effort, Sounds of Grieving, builds on this, interweaving heavy, visceral life experiences with breathy, ethereal vocals that resonate with their namesake. Alongside original compositions, the album includes acoustic covers and electronic mixes of tracks from their debut, showcasing their ability to reinterpret and evolve their sound. The album transcends its initial genre fusion, exploring its roots with robust drums, bass guitar, and electronic beats. The second track sets a powerful tone, featuring Anthony DiDio’s haunting lines against a striking drum and bass backdrop: ‘Break your arms around me like I passed away,’ he wails, ‘And I’d hold on, but my guts twist up when I hear you say / “I love you.”’ Tracks like 'Save these Memories' meld vaporwave vocals with neo-jazz piano, while the title track propels forward with techno rhythms and industrial flourishes. The lyrics throughout Sounds of Grieving weave a narrative of emotional turbulence and apathetic nostalgia, delving into love and loss. This collection of tracks forms a masterful blend, a creative alchemy written in the shadow of impending disaster, marking a significant evolution for Fleshwater.