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.
Song for Zoe & Gwen
Yumi Zouma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imagining in her thoughts
Rehearsing the places
Where you always waited
And wondered if we had to belong
If no one can hear you
You're not too young to cry
And let yourself get past
And fall into this ocean of time
Cause even if your dream is failing
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
There's no one else that's more worth chasing
Although we'll only meet now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I won't forget the time we had when you came back
And left your ruins all behind
What if there are changes?
What if you're not the same?
You're meeting the different
You're losing your spirit
You don't know all the words you should say
Those dams are behind us
There's nothing else to do
You throw out the memories
That keep you remembering
For you to go and start something new
Cause even if your dream is failing
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
There's nothing else that's more worth chasing
Although we'll only meet now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I won't forget the time we had when you came back
And left your ruins all behind
If no one can hear you
You're not too young to cry
This emptiness swallowed us
And let yourself get past
And fall into this ocean of time
The lyrics to Yumi Zouma's Song for Zoe & Gwen are very introspective and dreamlike. It appears to be about someone named Zoe who is imagining being in certain places where she believes the person they are singing about, Gwen, is waiting for her. She wonders if they have to belong, suggesting that she may feel out of place or unsure about her relationship with Gwen. The lyrics encourage Zoe to embrace her emotions and not be afraid to cry or feel empty, suggesting that this allows her to move on and let go of the past.
There are also themes of change and acceptance in the lyrics. Zoe is meeting someone who is different and losing her spirit, but she is encouraged to start something new and throw out the memories that hold her back. It's implied that this person, who may be Gwen, has had a significant impact on Zoe's life and has helped her grow and become stronger. Despite potential obstacles and the fact that they may only meet "now and again," the lyrics suggest that it's worth chasing this connection.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and emotional tribute to a deep and meaningful friendship. It encourages the listener to embrace their emotions and let go of the past in order to move forward and start something new.
Line by Line Meaning
She's white as a clover
Describing a person as pure and innocent, like a clover that symbolizes good fortune and luck.
Imagining in her thoughts
Thinking about a hypothetical scenario in her mind.
Rehearsing the places
Going over in her head a specific location or setting where something significant may happen.
Where you always waited
Referencing a place where someone has been eagerly anticipating her arrival.
And wondered if we had to belong
Questioning whether or not they are meant to be a part of a certain group or situation.
If no one can hear you
If one feels alone and unheard.
You're not too young to cry
Their emotions are valid and they have the right to express themselves even if they are young.
This emptiness swallowed us
Feeling a profound sense of loss, loneliness or sadness.
And let yourself get past
Letting go and moving forward, overcoming the pain and emptiness experienced.
And fall into this ocean of time
Imagining the ongoing passage of time like an endless ocean.
Cause even if your dream is failing
Urging someone to pursue their dreams even if they are not succeeding at the moment.
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
Feeling restless, anxious, and unable to find rest or peace.
There's no one else that's more worth chasing
Encouraging someone to pursue what is truly important and valuable to them, regardless of what others may say.
Although we'll only meet now and again
Acknowledging the fleeting nature of certain relationships and accepting that people may only cross paths occasionally.
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Encouraging someone to pursue what excites and inspires them, even if it may be difficult or frightening.
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
Acknowledging the challenges and difficulties one may face, particularly at night when their mind may be more active.
I won't forget the time we had when you came back
Remembering a specific moment or period of time when someone returned from an absence, indicating the importance of this event.
And left your ruins all behind
Leaving behind the pain, sorrow, or destruction of the past and moving forward with renewed hope and spirit.
What if there are changes?
Recognizing that change is a natural part of life and wondering what will happen if things do change.
What if you're not the same?
Questioning what will happen if one's identity, personality, or circumstances change over time.
You're meeting the different
Encountering people or situations that are new, unfamiliar, or unexpected.
You're losing your spirit
Feeling discouraged, disheartened, or demotivated.
You don't know all the words you should say
Struggling to find the right words to express oneself, particularly when faced with difficult or emotional circumstances.
Those dams are behind us
The emotional barriers or obstacles that previously held them back have now been overcome and left behind.
There's nothing else to do
No other options or alternatives remain, indicating a sense of finality or resignation.
You throw out the memories
Discarding or releasing memories of the past in order to move forward and start anew.
That keep you remembering
Memories that previously held them back or prevented them from moving on and progressing in life.
For you to go and start something new
Encouraging the listener to let go of the past and embark on a new journey or chapter in life.
Contributed by Andrew Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SCELEAN
She's white as a clover
Imagining her thoughts
Rehearsing the places where you're always waiting
And wondering if we had to belong
If no one can hear you
You're not too young to cry
This emptiness won't lessen
Let yourself get up and past
And fall into this ocean in time
Coz even if your dream is failing
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
There's nothing else that's more worth chasing
Although we'll only meet now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I'll never forget the time we had when you came back
Back to where it's all behind
What if there are changes
What if you've nothing to say
You're being the different
You're losing your spirit
You don't know all the words you should say
The sons? are behind us
There's nothing left to do
You're throwing the memories
That keep you remembering
For you to go on searching?? it through
Coz even if your dream is failing
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
There's nothing else that's more worth chasing
Although we'll only meet now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I'll never forget the time we had when you came back
Back to where it's all behind
If no one can hear you
You're not too young to cry
This emptiness won't lessen
Let yourself get up and past
And fall into this ocean in time
madcat61
+Belgique This is what i think the lyrics are:
She’s white as a clover
Imagining her thoughts
Rehearsing the places where you’re always waiting
Wondering if we had to belong
If no one can hear you
You’re not too young to cry
This emptiness won’t last
Don’t let yourself get lost
And fall into deception of time
‘Cause even if your dream is failing
Or feel like you’ll never sleep again
There’s nothing else more worth chasing
Although we’ll only be now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I won’t forget the time we had when you came back
And that you knew it’s all we’ve got
What if there are changes
What if you’re not the same
You meet in the d?? Losing your spirit??
You don’t know all the words you should say
Those times are behind us
There’s nothing left to do
You threw out the memories
To keep you remembering
for you to come see something new
‘Cause even if your dream is failing
Or feel like you’ll never sleep again
There’s nothing else more worth chasing
Although we’ll only be now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I won’t forget the time we had when you came back
And that you knew it’s all we’ve got
If no one can hear you
You’re not too young to cry
This emptiness won’t last
Don’t let yourself get lost
And fall into deception of time
My ASS is HUUGE & thats an UNDERSTATEMENT
Why aren’t such songs hitting the charts! This song gives me such good feels. 💋
Yumi Zouma
mate I wish I knew! thank you!
wildmercuryfilms
@Yumi Zouma
I always wondered why Kim left the band.
Ian Robertson
this is a song!!!!! one that gets at your heart,your mind your soul!! I feel this i feel it so much!!!
Wandering For Days
Mood
SCELEAN
She's white as a clover
Imagining her thoughts
Rehearsing the places where you're always waiting
And wondering if we had to belong
If no one can hear you
You're not too young to cry
This emptiness won't lessen
Let yourself get up and past
And fall into this ocean in time
Coz even if your dream is failing
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
There's nothing else that's more worth chasing
Although we'll only meet now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I'll never forget the time we had when you came back
Back to where it's all behind
What if there are changes
What if you've nothing to say
You're being the different
You're losing your spirit
You don't know all the words you should say
The sons? are behind us
There's nothing left to do
You're throwing the memories
That keep you remembering
For you to go on searching?? it through
Coz even if your dream is failing
Or feeling like you'll never sleep again
There's nothing else that's more worth chasing
Although we'll only meet now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I'll never forget the time we had when you came back
Back to where it's all behind
If no one can hear you
You're not too young to cry
This emptiness won't lessen
Let yourself get up and past
And fall into this ocean in time
madcat61
+Belgique This is what i think the lyrics are:
She’s white as a clover
Imagining her thoughts
Rehearsing the places where you’re always waiting
Wondering if we had to belong
If no one can hear you
You’re not too young to cry
This emptiness won’t last
Don’t let yourself get lost
And fall into deception of time
‘Cause even if your dream is failing
Or feel like you’ll never sleep again
There’s nothing else more worth chasing
Although we’ll only be now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I won’t forget the time we had when you came back
And that you knew it’s all we’ve got
What if there are changes
What if you’re not the same
You meet in the d?? Losing your spirit??
You don’t know all the words you should say
Those times are behind us
There’s nothing left to do
You threw out the memories
To keep you remembering
for you to come see something new
‘Cause even if your dream is failing
Or feel like you’ll never sleep again
There’s nothing else more worth chasing
Although we’ll only be now and again
Whatever makes your heart beat faster
Whatever gives you trouble through the night
I won’t forget the time we had when you came back
And that you knew it’s all we’ve got
If no one can hear you
You’re not too young to cry
This emptiness won’t last
Don’t let yourself get lost
And fall into deception of time
top2not2
deep
JP Sanchez
Isn´t it "And I´m too young to cry¨?
SwitcherooU
I think it's "Those times are behind us," not "The sons? are behind us."
Thanks for doing lyrics, though. Much appreciated.