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.
Persephone
Yumi Zouma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Climbing up the walls and I think I'm in a car
Take my words, for when we're away
I tell them to my back almost every day
I could never wait so I'm in their way
Every interchange it's all over my mind
Can't you just explain when you see me right
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Boy, I keep hoping that they're working on
We're always thinking, I don't see the trade
You know that I'm running right, if you ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh, I still wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that is on my feet
You know what it means to me, we can keep on endlessly
Dark and nothing of choice
I'm busting through the roof to the sound of a boy
Got a text from Abby Varese
Well, she can keep my lies hidden under her head
I don't think a lot as I'm rushing around
I could call you up and see you in town
All the paper cards and you sit down and lie
Tell me it's enough when you're pulling the door
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Boy, I keep hoping that they're working on
We're always thinking, I don't see this trade
You know that I'm running right, if you ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh, I still wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that is on my feet
You know what it means to me, we can keep on endlessly
You weren't the best one to care
Then, you'd do more than collide
Everything here is the river, man
Don't you hear it under the slaughter?
I never struggled to be on my own
No wonder that I let you go
The disappointment that was plain to see
That was what it meant to me, when you shook me endlessly
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Boy, I keep hoping that they're working on
We're always thinking, I don't see this trade
You know that I'm running right, if you ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh, it's no wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that is on my feet
You know what it means to me, we can keep on endlessly
The lyrics of Yumi Zouma’s “Persephone” are thoughtful and evocative, painting a picture of someone in a state of constant flux, always searching for something more, something better. The repetition of the lines “I never thought that I could be so wrong” and “I never struggled to be on my own” suggests that the singer is struggling with feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty about her place in the world. She seems to be searching for a deeper connection, for someone who can help her make sense of the world around her.
The line “You weren’t the best one to care” hints at a past relationship that didn’t meet the singer’s needs, and the line “The disappointment that is on my feet” suggests that she is still carrying the weight of that disappointment with her. The final lines of the song, “We can keep on endlessly” seem to express a longing for something more lasting and meaningful, a desire to move beyond feelings of confusion and uncertainty and find a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Overall, the lyrics of “Persephone” are both introspective and poetic, exploring themes of self-doubt, longing, and the search for meaning in a complex and often chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm alright, here on the floor
Despite everything going on, I'm trying to seem okay and keep myself grounded.
Climbing up the walls and I think I'm in a car
I feel trapped and anxious, like I'm in a moving vehicle.
Take my words, for when we're away
Remember what I say to you when we're apart.
I tell them to my back almost every day
I often speak out loud to myself, trying to work through my thoughts and feelings.
I could never wait so I'm in their way
I'm impatient and may be getting in the way of others because of it.
Every interchange it's all over my mind
I can't stop thinking about every conversation and interaction I have.
Can't you just explain when you see me right
Please help me understand things when we're face to face.
Show me your restraint by a similar pride
Can you be restrained like I'm trying to be, and take pride in that restraint?
I never thought that I could be so wrong
I didn't realize how naive or misguided I was until now.
Boy, I keep hoping that they're working on
I'm hoping someone else is working to fix whatever problem I'm facing.
We're always thinking, I don't see the trade
We're always thinking about something, but I don't see what we're getting in return for our thoughts and actions.
You know that I'm running right, if you ever let me try
I can do things the right way, but I need the chance to try and show you.
I never struggled to be on my own
I'm used to being independent and don't typically struggle with it.
Oh, I still wonder if I let you go
I still wonder if it was a mistake to let you go.
The disappointment that is on my feet
The disappointment is heavy and weighing on me.
You know what it means to me, we can keep on endlessly
You know how much this disappointment is affecting me, but we can still try to move forward and continue indefinitely.
Dark and nothing of choice
I feel like my options are limited and things are bleak.
I'm busting through the roof to the sound of a boy
I'm breaking through barriers to try and get to where I need to be, while the sounds of someone else's accomplishments surround me.
Got a text from Abby Varese
I received a text from someone named Abby Varese, though the significance of this is unknown.
Well, she can keep my lies hidden under her head
I can trust Abby to keep my secrets and lies concealed.
I don't think a lot as I'm rushing around
I'm not able to focus much or think deeply because I'm always on the move.
I could call you up and see you in town
I could reach out to you and meet up with you in person.
All the paper cards and you sit down and lie
All these trivial things, like paper cards and lying down, are distractions from what's really going on between us.
Tell me it's enough when you're pulling the door
Assure me that everything is okay when you're leaving and closing the door behind you.
You weren't the best one to care
You didn't always take the best care of me or of our relationship.
Then, you'd do more than collide
You would do more than just run into things or people, you would actively cause problems for us.
Everything here is the river, man
Everything is constantly flowing and changing, like a river.
Don't you hear it under the slaughter?
Can't you hear the underlying chaos and destruction?
Oh, it's no wonder if I let you go
It's no surprise that I let you go, given everything going on.
That was what it meant to me, when you shook me endlessly
The feeling of being endlessly shaken or disrupted by our situation was what our relationship meant to me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joshua Paul Burgess, Charlie Everley Ryder, Christie Ann Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danieltrujillo9106
I've arrived
Here on the floor
Climbing up the walls
And I think I've been caught
Take my words
For when we're away
I tell them to my back
Almost every day
I could never wait
So I'm in the divide
Every interchange
Sits alone in my mind
Can't you just explain
When you see me alive?
Show me you're restrained
By a similar vice
I never thought I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
We're always thinking
I would see this right
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's no wonder if I let you go
The disappointment
That dissolves my means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on recklessly
In the dark
A method of choice
I'm busting through the roof
To the sound of the void
Get a text
From Abby Perez
She can keep my lies
Hidden under her head
I don't think a lot
As I'm rushing around
I could call you up
And then see you in town
All that we'd forgone
Never seemed un-avowed
Tell me it's enough
When you're pulling me down
I never thought I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
We're always thinking
I would see this right
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
No little wonder if I let you go
The disappointment
That dissolved my means
You know what it means to me
we can keep on acting sweet
You were the best one who cared
Then you took more than a quarter
Everything here is too weird
But I feared that you're here under the slaughter
I never struggled to be on my own
No wonder that I let you go
The disappointment that was plain to see
That was what it meant to me when you
Shook me endlessly
I never thought I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
We're always thinking
I would see this right
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
No little wonder if I let you go
The disappointment
That dissolved my means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on acting sweet
@momentsmeanmore
I'm alright
Here on the floor
Climbing up the walls
And I think I'm calm
Take my words
For when we're away
I tell them to my back
Almost every day
I could never wait
So I...
Don't forget to change
It's a problem of mine
...
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
But I was thinking I don't see it straight
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's a wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that "it's over" means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on acting sweet
Only work
And nothing of joy
I'm busting through the roof to the sound of the boy
Get a text from Abbey Perez
She can keep my lies standing up on her head
I don't look around
As I'm rushing around
I could call you up and see you in town
Other people come so it's not very fun
Tell me it's enough and you're probably done
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
But I was thinking I don't see it straight
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's a wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that "it's over" means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on acting sweet
You were best one here
Then you took more than a quarter
Everything here is still weird
But I'm glad that you're here
Over the slaughter
I never struggled to be on my own
No wonder that I let you go
The disappointment that was plain to see
That was what it meant to me
When you shook me endlessly
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
But I was thinking I don't see it straight
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's a wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that "it's over" means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on acting sweet
@YumiZouma
Thanks for the feedback Malori
[Verse 1]
I've arrived here on the floor
Climbing up the walls and I think I've been caught
Take my words for when we're away
I tell them to my back almost every day
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I could never wait, so I'm in the divide
Every interchange sits alone in my mind
Can't you just explain when you see me alive?
Show me you're restrained by a similar vice
[Chorus]
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
We're always thinking I would see this right
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's no wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that dissolves my means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on recklessly
[Verse 2]
In the dark, a method of choice
I'm busting through the roof to the sound of the void
Get a text from Abbey Vares
She can keep my lies, hidden under her head
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I don't think a lot as I'm rushing around
I could call you up and then see you in town
All that we'd forgone, never seemed un-avowed
Tell me it's enough when you're pulling me down
[Chorus]
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
We're always thinking I would see this right
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's no wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that dissolves my means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on recklessly
[Bridge]
You were the best one who cared
Then you took more than a quarter
Everything here is too weird
But I feared that you're here
And not under the slaughter
[Chorus]
I never struggled to be on my own
No wonder that I let you go
The disappointment that was plain to see
That was what it meant to me
When you shook me endlessly
[Chorus]
I never thought that I could be so wrong
Oh I keep hoping that they're walking on
We're always thinking I would see this right
You know that I'd run and hide
If you'd ever let me try
I never struggled to be on my own
Oh it's no wonder if I let you go
The disappointment that dissolves my means
You know what it means to me
We can keep on recklessly
@YoshGotSteez23
This might be the greatest song of all time.
@BobbyJamesX
I don’t know why this song brings so much nostalgia to my heart when I’m just hearing for the first time. I feel robbed for not hearing this beautiful piece of work when it was first released. 6 years later - your music is still gorgeous. Thank you for getting me all in my feels ❤️🙏🏾
@yellowclouds3722
This is how T H E perfect pop song sounds.
@isaiah_the_birder3713
Exactly, they are highly underrated
@rizkynurhazmi4134
the best song ever created
@YoshGotSteez23
I swear!
@vinncore
i have apeirophobia, and the visuals at the start with the eternal design shook me up a little bit but the song immediately fixed it up ❤
@spiderandrogynous
Christie’s voice is so beautiful
@danielnunes3677
Wonderful and beautiful song from this wonderful and fantastic band. Love you Zouma...
@DwikiLazuardi
One of the best music to my ears