Yumi Zouma's latest effort, No Love Lost to Kindness, marks a significant shift for the New Zealand dream-pop quartet, but one that may elude their long-time fans. The band has always been known for their airy, lush soundscapes and lightly melancholic tone, honed over a decade of creative work together. Now, however, they're looking to inject more "extreme everything" into their music, with guitarist Charlie Ryder describing the record as their most "friction-filled" creative period yet.
In pursuit of this bold new direction, Yumi Zouma's latest singles have taken on a faster, louder quality, with distorted guitars and bright, catchy hooks. However, these tracks may not be to everyone's taste. While some fans will undoubtedly appreciate the band's foray into more aggressive sounds, others may find themselves stuck in the same dreamy, laid-back terrain that has characterized much of their previous work.
The album's singles – including "Bashville on the Sugar Locks Eyes" and "Blister" – showcase a band still finding its footing in this new sonic landscape. While "Bashville" injects a welcome dose of energy into the mix, its reliance on familiar melodic tropes may make it feel predictable to those who have followed Yumi Zouma's evolution over the years.
It's not until songs like 95 and Waiting for the Cards to Fall that we see more of the band's true potential. The former, a haunting exploration of ambition and homesickness, boasts delicate atmospherics and a surprising folk influence. Meanwhile, "Waiting for the Cards to Fall" – with its stripped-back arrangement and Christie Simpson's emotionally charged vocals – is a poignant study in lost love.
Ultimately, No Love Lost to Kindness feels like a band redefining itself on the fly, rather than undertaking a bold reinvention. While this approach may result in some surprising moments of beauty, it also means that change will take time to sink in. As with any process, growth is rarely instantaneous – and for Yumi Zouma's fans, it may be worth waiting to see how their sound continues to evolve over the coming months.
In pursuit of this bold new direction, Yumi Zouma's latest singles have taken on a faster, louder quality, with distorted guitars and bright, catchy hooks. However, these tracks may not be to everyone's taste. While some fans will undoubtedly appreciate the band's foray into more aggressive sounds, others may find themselves stuck in the same dreamy, laid-back terrain that has characterized much of their previous work.
The album's singles – including "Bashville on the Sugar Locks Eyes" and "Blister" – showcase a band still finding its footing in this new sonic landscape. While "Bashville" injects a welcome dose of energy into the mix, its reliance on familiar melodic tropes may make it feel predictable to those who have followed Yumi Zouma's evolution over the years.
It's not until songs like 95 and Waiting for the Cards to Fall that we see more of the band's true potential. The former, a haunting exploration of ambition and homesickness, boasts delicate atmospherics and a surprising folk influence. Meanwhile, "Waiting for the Cards to Fall" – with its stripped-back arrangement and Christie Simpson's emotionally charged vocals – is a poignant study in lost love.
Ultimately, No Love Lost to Kindness feels like a band redefining itself on the fly, rather than undertaking a bold reinvention. While this approach may result in some surprising moments of beauty, it also means that change will take time to sink in. As with any process, growth is rarely instantaneous – and for Yumi Zouma's fans, it may be worth waiting to see how their sound continues to evolve over the coming months.
. I mean, they've been so chill and dreamy for so long, it's like, what's next? They're adding all this extra "extreme everything" to their sound and I'm just not convinced it's gonna stick 
. Don't get me wrong, there are some sick tracks here, but I think some fans might be like, totally lost 
. Like, I get that they want to try something new, but do they have to toss the whole vibe of their sound? It feels like they're just trying to fit in with all the other bands who are doing this "extreme everything" thing right now 
. And don't even get me started on how some of these songs make me wanna cringe 
. I'm all for growth and change, but come on Yumi Zouma, take your time! 
I'm not sure what's more surprising, the fact that Yumi Zouma is trying something new or if some fans are already getting frustrated with the change. 
. But at the same time, I get why some fans might feel left behind - it's a big shift from what they're used to. Maybe this is just an opportunity for them to grow and experiment? 
Either way, I'm excited to see where their sound takes them next 
I've been listening to Yumi Zouma nonstop since they dropped "No Love Lost to Kindness" and I have to say, I'm OBSESSED 
with the new direction they're taking! The sound is so bold and edgy, it's like a breath of fresh air 
. Don't get me wrong, some of their older songs are still my JAM 
, but this new stuff is NEXT LEVEL 
. I mean, have you listened to "95"? 
It gives me all the feels! The way they're experimenting with folk vibes and atmospheric soundscapes is pure GENIUS 
. And Christie's vocals on "Waiting for the Cards to Fall" are giving me CHILLS 
. I'm so hyped to see where this new direction takes them and I'll be waiting patiently (not) for more music from Yumi Zouma 
. Go, Yumi, go! 
Still excited to hear where they go from here tho!
. I love that they're taking risks and experimenting with new sounds, especially on tracks like "95" and "Waiting for the Cards to Fall". Those songs are hauntingly beautiful 
. But yeah, it's gonna take some time for their fans (and me!) to fully get used to this new vibe 
. Bring on the evolution! 
. The singles are definitely catching my attention - "Bashville" is so upbeat and fun! 
but songs like 95 and Waiting for the Cards to Fall show a depth to their music that's really beautiful 
. I'm excited to see where this new chapter takes them 
they're already sounding like a more experimental band than ever, and songs like "95" and "waiting for the cards to fall" are giving me all the feels 
i'm excited to see how long this new energy takes hold, might be worth sticking around to see what other goodies they come up with 
- you're not sure where you're going, but the scenery is still pretty and lush 
. they're trying to mix things up with some heavier sounds, but it's like they're just hitting the brakes on their dreamy vibes for a sec 
️. don't get me wrong, i love the energy of tracks like "bashville" and "95" 
. it's gonna take some time to see if this new direction will stick or just be a speed bump 
. It's like they're wakin' up from a dream or somethin', ya know? But at the same time, it feels like they're losin' that same vibe that made 'em so chill and lovable in the first place 
. I mean, I loved "95" - that song is straight fire 
. Will take some time to get used to, but I'm down for the ride 
.
But then I listened to 95 and Waiting for the Cards to Fall again... and man, that's some next-level stuff 
. The band is def trying something bold, but maybe that's what makes it so interesting?
they're still got those catchy hooks but now it's like, boom! loud and fast all over the place 
. I'm excited to see how this new sound evolves but I'm also kinda nervous that it'll take some time to get used to 
.
. Don't get me wrong, there are some standout tracks like "95" and "Waiting for the Cards to Fall"... those ones are really special 
. Maybe it's just me being a bit nostalgic for their old dreamy soundscapes 
. don't get me wrong, there are some great tracks on this album, but its like they're playing to different crowds now 
so yeah, Yumi Zouma's new direction is def interesting, but idk if their fans are gonna be stoked about it...i mean, who doesn't love a good dream-pop vibe? 
anyway, growth is key, right? gotta take the good with the bad...or in this case, the loud w/ the soft