With comparisons to 90’s bands like Sonic Youth and The Pixies to modern day English acts like Wolf Alice and IDLES, it’s no wonder why the LA based quartet, CUFFED UP, have been turning heads since their debut double A-side was released at the end of 2019. The band garnered much support as an unsigned act first of all from KEXP (Song of The Day/Music That Matters), and subsequently from the likes of NME, DIY Magazine and The Line Of Best Fit.  

After an opening run supporting Silversun Pickups in 2020, the band released their self-titled debut EP through Hassle Records (UK) and Corduroy Records (US) where the lead singles “French Exit” + “Small Town Kid” garnered much acclaim from legendary UK tastemakers like Steve Lamacq (BBC Radio 6), Daniel P Carter (BBC Radio 1) + John Kennedy (Radio X).  

Cuffed Up is Ralph, Sapphire, Joe and Vic.

Buzzbands - “Sometimes you wanna dispense with formality and just say, "This song is f*cking great." Now is one of those times. This new single from L.A.'s Cuffed Up is f*cking great."

Line of Best Fit - “French Exit” sets the table for the kind of confessional punk that Cuffed Up brings in spades

Bandcamp - "A pair of revved-up songs from LA group Cuffed Up with the snarl of punk and the noisiness of vintage Sonic Youth." 

NME - "With its driving rhythm section, expansive guitar riffs and soaring vocals, the new one from Los Angeles band Cuffed Up is a hulking slice."

When The Horn Blows - "It’s a raw and punchy number that nods to all the big UK ‘punk’ bands taking the world by storm…Cuffed Up’s sound alternates between ‘happy jangly indie’ to ‘pissed off punk rock’. It’s intelligent, draws you in and keeps you wanting more."  

The Revue - "Equal parts indie rock and shoegaze, “French Exit” is a slow-burning gem. It is blissful yet fierce, feeling like a sun-kissed summer day with cool breezes blowing off the ocean."

KEXP - You'd be forgiven for assuming Cuffed Up were from the UK — the Los Angeles-based quartet draw influence from the punk scene across the sea. 

We Found New Music - “Small Town Kid” is like Sonic Youth on Adderall...The sound of it is more anchored in a CBGB’s era East Coast punk with Jewell’s vocals sounding like a grittier, less polished early Debbie Harry." 

The Grey Estates - “So often we attempt to turn from those emotions that make us feel uncomfortable, but “Mother/Father” and “Small Town Kid” dive headfirst, inviting you to swim alongside their rapidly paced currents.”