Cambridge pop powerhouse CUFFS have struck gold again with their latest 7”, “Private View” b/w “Y.C.C.T.” Edging away from any residual twee trappings embraced by songwriter Andrew Churchman in his former band’s heyday, “Private Vew” drives about as hard as any CUFFS track released to date, with four-on-the-floor drums and a rhythm guitar that barks with a similar timbre to Tyvek’s, or the late caUSE co-MOTION’s. Trebly leads share center stage with Churchman’s disarmingly earnest singing (punctuated by a sing-song group vocal during the verses), then enact a call-and-response bridge solo, ripping, noodling, and wobbling to the finish. Flipside “Y.C.C.T.” (an acronym for the song’s gently-offered refrain, “You can come true”) shares characteristics of the A-side, clipping along at a steady pace while varying the beat with dropouts and more subtle syncopation. The bass is at the wheel through the initial verses, the guitars taking a backseat with sparkly arpeggiated chords and root stabs that leave a significant amount of room for the vocals. The bridge swells, as the drums bring in cymbals and the guitars strengthen their presence, culminating in another solo featuring great guitar interplay. Both songs are a perfect vehicle for Churchman’s signature lyrics, which remain honest and hopeful, with a sense of awareness that renders his speakers’ relative optimism somehow more admirable than your average posi anthem. “Private View” b/w “Y.C.C.T.” is available in a limited edition of 300 at CUFFS’ Bandcamp, RidetheSnake.com, and several independent Boston-area record stores . (Ride the Snake, 2012)

-Ben P