New Zealand Dream-Poppers Yumi Zouma's Experiment Falls Short of Expectations
Yumi Zouma are trading in their signature dreamy sound for something bolder, but their fifth record "No Love Lost to Kindness" doesn't quite live up to the promise of change. Written during a period marked by creative friction, the band has opted for more extreme and distorted tracks, but these new singles will likely only resonate with die-hard fans.
The result is an album that veers wildly between catchy hooks and predictable pop punk, with some songs feeling like calculated attempts to update their sound rather than genuine reinventions. Even when they manage to surprise, as on the quiet, introspective 95, it's clear that Yumi Zouma are still navigating uncharted territory.
The band's self-discovery journey is more compelling in its quieter moments, where delicate atmospherics and a touch of folkiness shine through. But these fleeting glimpses of innovation are often overshadowed by the album's inconsistent tone. The closer, Waiting for the Cards to Fall, is a melancholic reflection on a relationship that's run dry but not yet over – with Simpson's stripped-back vocals offering a haunting contrast to the album's more bombastic moments.
Ultimately, Yumi Zouma's attempt at reinvention feels like a gradual shift rather than a dramatic transformation. While it's clear they're willing to experiment and push boundaries, their new direction hasn't quite reached its full potential yet.
Yumi Zouma are trading in their signature dreamy sound for something bolder, but their fifth record "No Love Lost to Kindness" doesn't quite live up to the promise of change. Written during a period marked by creative friction, the band has opted for more extreme and distorted tracks, but these new singles will likely only resonate with die-hard fans.
The result is an album that veers wildly between catchy hooks and predictable pop punk, with some songs feeling like calculated attempts to update their sound rather than genuine reinventions. Even when they manage to surprise, as on the quiet, introspective 95, it's clear that Yumi Zouma are still navigating uncharted territory.
The band's self-discovery journey is more compelling in its quieter moments, where delicate atmospherics and a touch of folkiness shine through. But these fleeting glimpses of innovation are often overshadowed by the album's inconsistent tone. The closer, Waiting for the Cards to Fall, is a melancholic reflection on a relationship that's run dry but not yet over – with Simpson's stripped-back vocals offering a haunting contrast to the album's more bombastic moments.
Ultimately, Yumi Zouma's attempt at reinvention feels like a gradual shift rather than a dramatic transformation. While it's clear they're willing to experiment and push boundaries, their new direction hasn't quite reached its full potential yet.
yumi zouma should've stuck with what worked, instead of trying to be edgy and cool 
it's like they're trying too hard to prove something 
the quiet tracks are actually kinda nice though... but not enough to save this album from being a meh release 
some of these tracks are straight fire tho like "95" though that one's a banger 
but overall, i'd say they're just stuck in neutral rn 
- feels like I'm getting rid of old stuff, but some things keep popping back up 
. They're trying to change their sound, and it's cool that they're experimenting, but sometimes it just doesn't land 
. Those quiet moments on the album are like a peaceful walk in nature - beautiful and soothing. We should give them more time to figure out what they want to do next 
.
it's like they took a look at their old records and thought "you know what would make this better? MORE CRASH Cymbals!" 
then proceed to make an album that's all over the map 
. guess i'll just have to wait for them to figure out how to reinvent themselves without makin' me wanna pull my hair out 
. Can't wait for some more singles or a live show to see if this album can actually deliver on its promise...