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.
Powder Blue / Cascine Park
Yumi Zouma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
hour on the phone like
feel your reason start to shift
you really think you could give yourself away?
Half a moment living in the sunsets of our youth
I killed a world, was it enough to turn us loose?
You never notice when my breathing gets loud
Another summer in your eyes
Another mind made up
Nothing ever made you mine
Painting me powder blue
Like the reflections in your room
We could just take a day
Acting around a double view
Turned up with a cracked wrist
Honoring intentions
Dancing in the pouring rain
You don't deserve to miss every chance you get
I discovered that you wouldn't like to give up lust
It makes me wonder if you'd ever give me trust
I heard you think I'm not the quickest catch, but you know I've got your flame
It's just a lovers bet to lose
1 o'clock I'll turn round
To follow other paths you choose
Painting me powder blue
Like the reflections in your room
We could just take a day
Acting around a double view
Counting the time in three
Love's an illusion, hard to keep
Splitting the dark in half
To make it all fall back in peace
We're chilling through
Like it's just another day
(I'll take your word for it)
We'll treat the weeks like they're for free
Though you softened your voice
I know exactly what you're supposed to do
To the slick other boys
I could say anything I wanted to
Another summer in your eyes
Another mind made up
Nothing ever made you mine
Painting me powder blue
Like the reflections in your room
We could just take a day
Acting around a double view
Counting the time in three
Love's an illusion, hard to keep
Splitting the dark in half
To make it all fall back in peace
The song "Powder Blue/Cascine Park" by Yumi Zouma seems to explore the dynamics of a relationship that is struggling to stay together. The first verse discusses a moment of uncertainty where the singer is "only wondering" about the state of their relationship, as they talk on the phone with their partner for an hour. They can feel the "reason start to shift," asking if their partner can really "give yourself away." The second verse reminisces about the past, where the couple had lived in the "sunsets of our youth." However, now things have changed, and the singer is questioning whether the love they shared was enough to keep them together. The chorus reflects the blue-tinged nostalgia of the relationship, with the singer being "painted powder blue," like the reflection in their partner's room. They discuss how, together, they could "take a day, acting around a double view." The final verse seems to be the breaking point where the singer cannot ignore the problems in the relationship any longer. They have realized that their partner "wouldn't like to give up lust," and that trust may never be given. With a sense of impending loss, they recognize that "love's an illusion, hard to keep."
Overall, "Powder Blue/Cascine Park" is a song about the complex emotions and struggles within a relationship. The past and present are intertwined, showing glimpses into what was lost and what could be. The chorus paints a dreamy picture of the relationship, with "powder blue" as a metaphor for nostalgia, timelessness, and an unrealized dream.
Line by Line Meaning
I was only wondering
I just had a thought
hour on the phone like
We had a lengthy conversation, similar to one on the phone
feel your reason start to shift
Sensing a change in your attitude, mood or opinion
you really think you could give yourself away?
Do you truly believe you're capable of letting yourself go?
Half a moment living in the sunsets of our youth
Reflecting and reminiscing about a brief time when we were young and carefree
I killed a world, was it enough to turn us loose?
I let go of something significant, but was it sufficient for us to be free from it?
You never notice when my breathing gets loud
You don't pay attention when I become anxious or nervous
But give yourself a break
Give yourself some time to rest or to take it easy
Another summer in your eyes
Once again, I see summer reflected in your eyes
Another mind made up
Another decision made without question
Nothing ever made you mine
Nothing was ever enough to make you mine
Painting me powder blue
Colouring me in the shade of light blue
Like the reflections in your room
Comparable to the reflections seen in your room
We could just take a day
We could spend some time together
Acting around a double view
Pretending to be something else or someone else, while secretly holding another view
Turned up with a cracked wrist
Arrived with an injured wrist
Honoring intentions
Respecting or fulfilling one's intentions
Dancing in the pouring rain
Dancing in heavy rain
You don't deserve to miss every chance you get
You shouldn't miss out on any opportunities that come your way
I discovered that you wouldn't like to give up lust
I found out that you cannot resist sexual desire
It makes me wonder if you'd ever give me trust
I have doubts about your ability to trust me
I heard you think I'm not the quickest catch, but you know I've got your flame
I heard that you think I'm not the easiest to win over, but you know that you're still attracted to me
It's just a lovers bet to lose
It's a risky game that lovers play
1 o'clock I'll turn round
At 1 o'clock, I'll turn around and walk away
To follow other paths you choose
To go in the direction that you've chosen
Counting the time in three
Counting the seconds in groups of three
Love's an illusion, hard to keep
Love isn't real, and it's difficult to maintain
Splitting the dark in half
Breaking apart the darkness
To make it all fall back in peace
To bring back peace and tranquility
We're chilling through
We're going through life calmly
Like it's just another day
As if it's just a normal day
(I'll take your word for it)
(I trust what you're saying)
We'll treat the weeks like they're for free
We'll value each week as if it doesn't cost anything
Though you softened your voice
Despite the fact that you lowered your voice
I know exactly what you're supposed to do
I know what you're expected to do
To the slick other boys
To other charming or smooth-talking boys
I could say anything I wanted to
I could say whatever I like
Counting the time in three
Counting the seconds in groups of three
Love's an illusion, hard to keep
Love isn't real, and it's difficult to maintain
Splitting the dark in half
Breaking apart the darkness
To make it all fall back in peace
To bring back peace and tranquility
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joshua Paul Burgess, Christie Anne Simpson, Charlie Everley Ryder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@penguinzomby
Was only wondering
Hour on the phone like
Feel your reason start to shift
You really think you could give yourself away?
Half a moment living in the sunsets of our youth
I killed a world, was it enough to turn us loose?
You never notice when my breathing gets loud
But give yourself a break
Another summer in your eyes
Another mind made up
Nothing ever made you mine
Painting me powder blue
Like the reflections in your room
We could just take a day
Acting around a double view
Turned up with a cracked wrist
Honoring intentions
Dancing in the pouring rain
You don't deserve to miss every chance you get
I discovered that you wouldn't like to give up lust
It makes me wonder if you'd ever give me trust
I heard you think I'm not the quickest catch
But you know I've got your flame
It's just a lovers bet to lose
One o'clock I'll turn round
To follow other paths you choose
Painting me powder blue
Like the reflections in your room
We could just take a day
Acting around a double view
Counting the time in three
Love's an illusion, hard to keep
Splitting the dark in half
To make it all fall back in peace
We're chilling through like it's just another day
(I'll take your word for it)
We'll treat the weeks like they're for free
Though you softened your voice,
I know exactly what you're supposed to do
To the slick other boys, I could say anything I wanted to
It's just a lovers bet to lose
One o'clock I'll turn round
To follow other paths you choose
Painting me powder blue
Like the reflections in your room
We could just take a day
Acting around a double view
Counting the time in three
Love's an illusion, hard to keep
Splitting the dark in half
To make it all fall back in peace
We're chilling through like it's just another day
(I'll take your word for it)
We'll treat the weeks like they're for free
Though you softened your voice,
I know exactly what you're supposed to do
To the slick other boys, I could say anything I wanted to
@ricardotrevinojr1994
is this some kind of isthmus? you gotta turn this off I gotta go home
@jenniferr1506
I see you also saw Chris Fleming's tweet
@ghostroses2388
I understood that reference
@alexphillips5319
Anyone wanna be my grandma bride?
@drinkclintons2058
I’m meeting my buddy at a Chihuahua sanctuary so I can’t keep hanging out here
@lauracoppa444
please turn this off my wives are going to be worried sick about me
@MissKizzy
And repeat. And repeat. And repeat...
@kamalbhaizan
this song makes me miss my college days
@pedrofelipemedice
me too :'(
@cuddle2451
This IS some kind of isthmus!