Cuffed Up - “French Exit”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Nothing, Sunflower Bean, The Gotobeds

If it’s possible to sound both heavy and soft at the same time, Cuffed Up has figured it out across their trio of debut singles. Latest “French Exit” melds alt rock foundations, a hip hop infused verse, and a shoegaze chorus, establishing a unique lane for the dreamily dense newcomers. While this may sound like some fusion stew, Cuffed Up sound cohesive right from the jump, washing sounds together with balance and drive. “Small Town Kid” is more punk rock, highlighting the LA-based quartet’s dual guy/girl vocals and showing the band moving out of a dream-rock space to full on grunge pop/rock. Debut single “Mother/Child” falls cleanly in between, the most experimental of the bunch, but one with moments of melodic catchiness in the song’s in-and-out chorus. Cuffed Up’s debut EP is due later this month to catch even more corners of their emotionally rooted, intriguing sound. (Kevin McStravick)