Yumi Zouma's Friction-Filled Creative Journey Towards a New Sound
The New Zealand dream-pop ensemble Yumi Zouma, comprising members Christie Simpson, Josh Burgess, Charlie Ryder, and Olivia Campion, is embarking on a deliberate departure from their signature ethereal sound. After a decade of crafting airy, lush, and melancholic melodies, the quartet has entered what they describe as their "most friction-filled creative period" to date, culminating in their fifth studio album, No Love Lost to Kindness.
A Bold Yet Gradual Reinvention
Guitarist Charlie Ryder has articulated the band's ambition for "more extreme everything, more boldness" in this new record. While the latest singles indeed showcase faster tempos, louder instrumentation, and more distorted textures, the transformation is nuanced rather than revolutionary. These tracks retain a bright and pretty quality, likely to unsettle only their most dedicated, long-time followers rather than alienating a broader audience.
Standout Tracks and Musical Exploration
The album features several notable songs that highlight this evolutionary shift. Bashville on the Sugar captures a moment of intense eye contact with an ex on the subway, propelled by Olivia Campion's breathless and energetic drumming. Meanwhile, Blister cleverly repurposes the band's knack for whistleable melodies into a pogoing, enjoyably predictable pop-punk anthem. Though it professes themes of "venom and rage," the track feels more fun than furious in its execution.
Drag begins as a genuine departure, opening with a threatening bassline and an uncharacteristically deadpan vocal performance from singer Christie Simpson as she dissects an ADHD diagnosis. However, it soon blossoms into the band's familiar territory with billowy, layered vocals and luminous guitar work, blending the new with the old.
Quieter Moments of Introspection
The voyage of self-discovery proves more intriguing in the album's quieter, more introspective moments. 95 is a disoriented reflection on ambition and homesickness, featuring delicate atmospherics and a surprisingly folky touch. The closer, Waiting for the Cards to Fall, mourns a relationship that has run dry but lingers unresolved. Stripped of the usual reverb, Simpson's vocals are strikingly raw and haunting as she vows, "I'm leaving you no matter what, turning myself into dust," evoking a gothic and ghostly aura.
A Real-Time Remaking
Far from constituting a dramatic reinvention, No Love Lost to Kindness represents Yumi Zouma remaking themselves in real time. The album underscores that change, especially in artistic evolution, often unfolds more slowly than anticipated. While the quartet edges away from dream pop with louder guitars and bolder intentions, their journey remains a gradual and intriguing process, reflecting the complexities of creative growth in the modern music landscape.
