The group's origins trace back to their history of playing concerts together in Christchurch. However, the band did not begin writing music together until multiple members moved abroad and began collaborating over email following the events of the Christchurch earthquake. This early material gained attention within the musical blogosphere and encouraged American label Cascine to sign the band before they had played live or held a band practice.
Between 2014 and 2015, the group released two EPs (EP I, EP II). The band's debut album Yoncalla was released in 2016, including the singles "Keep It Close To Me" and "Barricade (Matter Of Fact)". In 2017, the band released their second album, Willowbank, and the singles "December", "Depths (Pt. I)", and "Half Hour". EP III was released in 2018, including the singles "In Camera" and "Crush (It's Late Just Stay)". In 2020, the band signed to labels Polyvinyl Record Co. and Inertia Music, and released their third album Truth or Consequences, which featured the singles "Right Track / Wrong Man", "Cool For A Second", "Southwark", "Lonely After", and "Sage".
Founded by Burgess, Ryder, and vocalist Kim Pflaum, the group began writing music using file-sharing services when Burgess left New Zealand to work at New York-based record label Captured Tracks. The band's first release, EP I, debuted in early 2014, after the single A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers appeared on several blogs before being quickly taken down. The band was positively reviewed by Pitchfork and profiled by The Guardian, leading to the group signing with Brooklyn-based record label Cascine. In mid-2014, the band began playing live, touring with singer Lorde, and collaborating with other acts, such as the Swedish band Air France. Guitarist Sam Perry[ and vocalist Christie Simpson joined the group in 2015, while Pflaum left and started the solo project Madeira (later renamed Laumė). The band released a second EP, EP II, in early 2015, and proceeded to tour extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, with the likes of Jamie xx and Lower Dens.
The band quickly released their first full-length album, Yoncalla, the following year. As opposed to the long-distance writing of the band's earlier releases, Yoncalla consisted of material that had been finished during tours for EP II. The majority of the album's final material was recorded in Paris, France, following an American tour that stopped by the city of Yoncalla, Oregon. The band produced the album at electronic musician Philippe Zdar's Motorbass studio in Paris, enabling them to achieve a sound more akin to classic synth-pop than their previous records.
After a year of heavy touring in support of Yoncalla, the band traveled home to record in New Zealand for the first time. A limited edition cover of the Oasis album (What's The Story) Morning Glory? was distributed on vinyl in early 2017, before the release of the band's second album, Willowbank, in October. The sessions for Willowbank marked the first time that the group had worked together in a professional studio, with the band initially questioning whether they should "all move into separate rooms" to recreate the remote songwriting process from previous records. However, the sessions allowed for stronger collaboration and more organic instrumentation compared to earlier material, leading to jazz musician Olivia Campion joining the band as a live drummer. The lead single "Depths (Pt. I)" became a success on streaming platforms, and was accompanied by a video created by illustrator Frances Haszard. Following the completion of touring for Willowbank, Perry left the band in order to concentrate on his Serbia-based musical project DOG Power.
In wake of the departure of Perry, the remaining four members of the band proceeded to return to the methods of long-distance writing that had inspired their earlier material. This process led to the creation of a third EP, released in October 2018. A video for the lead single "In Camera" was released in early 2019, directed by Pavel Brenner. A video for the second single "Crush (It's Late, Just Stay)" was also released in 2019, directed by Robbie Barnett.
After signing to Polyvinyl and Inertia Records, Yumi Zouma released their third studio album Truth or Consequences on March 13, 2020. The album features the singles "Right Track / Wrong Man", "Cool For A Second", "Southwark", "Lonely After", and "Sage". Along with the album, Yumi Zouma is set to release a unique line of merchandise which includes a candle, bandana, and enamel pin. The band announced a reimagined edition of the album named Truth or Consequences - Alternate Versions, which was released in October 2020.
On March 18, 2022, their fourth full-length release Present Tense was recorded remotely with some in-studio sessions in Los Angeles, London, Florence, New York, and New Zealand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bruise
Yumi Zouma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me have a nap
Like I was alone for
Then I was a cross
Then I was to come
Then I led me on
Then I gave you access
Then I had to talk
You're coming out, to turn it up
You're taking back yourself
I hear the sound and then again, I notice it to the end
Then I'm waking up, to find your face
It's coming on too strong
You're feeling stranded in the sun
It's not enough to keep me warm
So why have we got something to prove
And why am I still losing, 'cause I want it too bad, want it too bad for you
And I'm fine if you tell me to bruise
And I'm trying to forget it but if maybe I go the way you go too
Steal another look
Can you read me now
Give it at a doctor
On another clock
I can feel the heat
Falling off your face
Even in my presence
I was just delayed
I'm not the one to make you cry back to the thoughts you stay
Tell anyone from over there but if you dreamt to walk away
Believe in us, instead of hope, I know this all too well
Apologize, no one to care about all the lies I tell myself
So why have we got something to prove
And why am I still losing 'cause I want it too bad, want it too bad for you
And I'm fine if you tell me to bruise
And I'm trying to forget it but if maybe I go the way you go too
We were cold and we were throwing stones
I get tired, but this is getting old
Tell me why you think it's in your voice
We were cold and we were throwing stones
You and I, we were feeling old
We were dying not to get too close
So why have we got something to prove
And why am I still losing cause I want it too bad, want it too bad for you
And I'm fine if you tell me to bruise
And I'm trying to forget it but if maybe I go the way you go too
The song "Bruise" by Yumi Zouma is a reflective narrative about a past romantic relationship. The first verse starts with the persona requesting to be taken home and given space to recuperate, as if they were alone. The second verse describes the persona waking up and seeing their ex-lover's face. The persona then acknowledges the feeling of being overwhelmed because their ex-lover is coming on too strong. The chorus expresses the persona's confusion about their motivations for wanting to be with their partner despite the pain they cause, stating that they're willing to be hurt in the relationship.
The third verse is a reflection on the relationship and its issues. The persona is struggling to communicate and provide emotional support. They also acknowledge that their ex-partner is struggling with their own issues. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that the persona wants to remain in the relationship even if it leads to pain. In the final verse, the persona reflects on the relationship's stagnant state and admits to feeling exhausted from trying to make it work.
Overall, the song highlights the emotional struggles of a toxic relationship and the persona's willingness to endure that pain for the sake of their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my body home
Let me rest in peace
Let me have a nap
Allow me to take a peaceful sleep
Like I was alone for
As though I was all by myself
Then I was a cross
Then I felt burdened
Then I was to come
Then I was expected
Then I led me on
Then I motivated myself
Then I gave you access
Then I allowed you in
Then I had to talk
Then I felt the need to communicate
You're coming out, to turn it up
You're emerging to make things livelier
You're taking back yourself
You're reclaiming your identity
I hear the sound and then again, I notice it to the end
I perceive the noise and then repeatedly recognize it till the end
Then I'm waking up, to find your face
Then I awaken to see your face
It's coming on too strong
It's too overpowering
You're feeling stranded in the sun
You're feeling trapped in a sunny place
It's not enough to keep me warm
It's insufficient to make me feel comfortable
So why have we got something to prove
Why do we feel the need to justify ourselves
And why am I still losing, 'cause I want it too bad, want it too bad for you
Why do I keep failing, because I want it too much, want it too much for you
And I'm fine if you tell me to bruise
And it's okay if you hurt me
And I'm trying to forget it but if maybe I go the way you go too
And I'm attempting to move on, but maybe I'll also end up following your lead
Steal another look
Take a quick glance
Can you read me now
Can you understand me better now
Give it at a doctor
Give it to an expert
On another clock
At a different time
I can feel the heat
I can sense the tension
Falling off your face
Showing on your face
Even in my presence
Even when I'm around
I was just delayed
I was just postponed
I'm not the one to make you cry back to the thoughts you stay
I'm not the person to make you return to negative thoughts
Tell anyone from over there but if you dreamt to walk away
Inform someone from a faraway place, but if you wanted to leave
Believe in us, instead of hope, I know this all too well
Have faith in our relationship, instead of just hoping, I'm aware of this
Apologize, no one to care about all the lies I tell myself
Say sorry, no one to feel concerned about the lies I tell myself
We were cold and we were throwing stones
We were distant and we were hurting each other
I get tired, but this is getting old
I become weary, but this is becoming tedious
Tell me why you think it's in your voice
Explain to me why you believe it's your responsibility
You and I, we were feeling old
You and I, we were feeling worn-out
We were dying not to get too close
We were afraid to get too close and get hurt
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Charlie Ryder, Josh Burgess, Christie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@YumiZouma
thank you everyone for the lovely comments - so excited to share these new songs with you <3
love yz xx
@a.s.7734
I love your music❤
@destroyerofsenses
Yumi Zouma Come to USA please. Specifically NC. I’m a death/black metal fan and I can’t get enough you guys’ work.
@2ojo
Mexicoooo when????
@michael3du66
Los amo 😍
@rezelandfamily827
Why did Sam leave the band? So sad... However, looking forward to watching your performance, in Indonesia in October.
@thetarcio
Yumi Zouma is from another world, im pretty sure... thank you for existing. Love from Brasil <3
@YumiZouma
alien pop ok! thank u!
@gtterb
Four years later and this is still an absolute jam.
@kevinjohnston4923
Christie’s voice + singing guitars + slapping beat = I want it too bad