“Magic Planet is about the specter of something always floating above you, near you, in this case manifested by a menacing and murderous little planet. It follows you wherever you go, it circles around you when you stop moving. We all have our own little Magic Planets, and often there’s nothing you can do about them. But I think it’s important to acknowledge them and be aware of them,” says Tym Wojcik.
CUP was founded by Tym Wojcik, a Polish-American drummer living in Queens, NY and originally from Houston, TX. Only five months after the release of the album ‘Hiccup’, Cup brings ‘Jitter Visions’. This eighth album takes you to a place that’s simultaneously new and familiar — in the way that you might feel you’ve been here before, but can’t be sure. A nagging and uneasy feeling. A record that is at times grinding and brash, at times smooth and melodic, like the ebb and flow of a fever dream.
Distorted, simple guitar riffs reminiscent of 80s punk, ‘Help’-era Oh Sees, Slaughterhouse-era Ty Segall, layered with dark synths, bright delayed vocals, and driving rhythms. Lyrics about menace that comes from without, from within, about looking around the world from your own personal head, about being a person with another person, with people everywhere doing things. About changing into the same person over and over again.
With every passing release, Wojcik’s sound becomes more distinct. Fuzz-soaked punk riffs that feel like they should be played faster, stretching and skewing into off-kilter melodies over driving dual rhythms. Songs about the fact of the body, the fact of existing, the challenge of conveying meaning. A background of anxiety throughout: a reflection of our odd world and oddly, incomprehensibly growing older in it.
“I had been messing around with some new tunes for a while, but this record really began when I got my first analog synthesizer and started making wild and odd noises with it. I sat on the couch with it on my lap and headphones on for two weeks and never found the end to the sounds it could make, and I still haven’t, half a year later. The synth made these songs odder, darker, more menacing in some cases, and in others it made them lighter, more airy, waggish. It made me happy, and it also made me angry. I think it made the songs into something new. I hope so,” says Tym Wojcik.
Aagoo Records is home to vinyl releases by Xiu Xiu, Darto, Wand, Lucky Dragons, The Use with Rachel Mason, Philippe Petit and more. ‘Hiccup’ is now available on vinyl through Aagoo Records’ website and digitally via Bandcamp.
CUP ‘Jitter Visions’ is now available worldwide digitally and can also be ordered digitally via Bandcamp or on vinyl directly from Aagoo Records. CUP’s new lineup will be revealed at the album release show, which will take place on April 30 at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, NY – they will be supported by Darkwing, ESSi and Sic Tic. Tickets are now available from https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1674454.
