SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CUFFED UP – ALL YOU GOT

CUFFED UP
ALL YOU GOT
HIT THE NORTH RECORDS

The band Cuffed Up has finally released their anticipated debut album, All You Got. This comes after the band’s EP in 2021, Asymmetry. This is also their first release for the label, Hit he North Records. To restate the words of an elder before me, it is a truth universally acknowledged that making even a decent debut album is a near improbability. Despite that, All You Got not only reveals a brilliant debut but is also a sign of a fantastic band with a bright future.

Right from the start, All You Got makes it clear that this album is a bold yet fun experience. One of the best aspects of this album is how many innovative tricks and styles this group can perform, as well as how they are able to make it all digestible without ever feeling cluttered. Almost every track on All You Got is filled with experimental choices and sounds that would soak up most albums, with the band letting these choices lead the project. Instead, Cuffed Up masterfully incorporates these bold directions into their own catchy tracks, ensuring that they remain digestible enough to captivate any listener. Simply put, each track feels like its own opener to a distinct album, yet the vocals and production elements wonderfully bind it all together to create an excellent album.

The pacing of All You Got is truly remarkable, with each track going to the next at a magnificent speed. This, in part, is thanks to the bewildering, shocking, and unexpectedly brilliant production. This production evokes something that needs to be seen in order to be believed. Each track is heightened to a degree, largely by what the production accomplishes. Take the best and first track, “Finer Things”, and the infectious and catchy lyrics. Not only are the lyrics memorable, but the production captivates, regardless of the delivery of the lyrics.

If I had to pick any low point on this masterful album, it would be the overuse of lyrics on a few tracks. For example, on “Hello, Dear Passion” the vocals feel quite unnecessary and, in some ways, take away from the experience. This is due to the lyrics becoming more of a distraction than an enhancer.

All You Got is an unforgettable debut that will surely keep this band in the spotlight, not just for the catchy tracks you will have in your head, but also for its sheer, immense amount of boldness and pure quality. A bold debut such as this could have one major downfall: it’s more innovative than simply good. Thankfully, this band was able to manage a fine line and make one of the best debuts this year.
From start to finish, genius lyrics, vocals, and, most importantly, top-notch production elevate All You Got, making it an outstanding and commendable debut.

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