It happened again. I let my ATW inbox pile up, and when I finally cracked it open there were hundreds of PR people, label heads, and bands lurking in the shadows, all vying for a post. I started at the top and worked my way down to the oldest message—where I found Missed Cues, a Connecticut quartet whose new debut record dropped a month ago. And wouldn’t you know it? It’s right up my alley.

Missed Cues—Matt, Marty, Matt, and Tim, (basically a sitcom cast moonlighting as a band)—draw from ‘90s Bay Area pop punk (think Lookout! Records), while filtering it through Tom Petty and The Replacements. The result is poppy punk rock that doesn’t go for the instant sugar rush, but instead lands with a sandpapered charm, like Jawbreaker played from a New Haven basement in 2025.

Don’t Turn Off the Lights is a hidden gem waiting for more ears.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp