Yumi Zouma, the Kiwi band who splits their time between Pōneke, London and New York, have today unleashed their third full length album Truth Or Consequences, into the world.
The record, self-produced with Jake Aron (Solange, Grizzly Bear, Snail Mail) as their sound engineer, hides heartbreaking lyrics within synth-pop, layered vibey disco beats and infectious choruses.
Stream the record below, then check out our Q&A with vocalist Christie Simpson, who gets real on the band’s obsessions, heritage, and The 1975’s Matty Healy.
Listen: Truth or Consequences
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
Ha this is always a hard one! I’ve had to do this before and I probably said, ‘it’s pop music, but not like pop music on the radio – more dreamy and mellow, a little bit ’80s inspired.’ Sometimes I even say it’s quite ‘easy listening’ – our music is definitely grandma-friendly!
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
One of our recent singles, ‘Right Track / Wrong Man’, is one that I personally feel a strong connection with – it has this underlying theme of relationship tensions, specifically when you’re trying to come to terms with someone not being quite right for you, the challenges you face when making that decision.
There’s another song on our upcoming album – ‘Sage’ – that also stems somewhat from this situation I keep finding myself in! That one is a little more sad and introspective – but ‘Right Track / Wrong Man’ is almost like a disco-y dancey answer to whatever problems are going on in your love life.
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I love a song like that – one that feels like escapism.
Yumi Zouma: ‘Cool For A Second’
We released a one-off single last year – ‘Bruise’ – we wrote this around the same time, when I was in a relationship that felt a little bit doomed but in a very quiet, subtle way. I’m a very romantic and affectionate person, and I felt like I wasn’t getting enough of that out of this relationship despite it being something I felt almost desperate for – hence the lyrics in the chorus about wanting it ‘too bad’.
We write lyrics very collaboratively as a band, so sometimes the meaning and intention can get a little skewed – but both of these tracks really retained a strong sense of what I was feeling at the time!
What do you love about your hometown?
Christchurch is such a lovely place – the weather is so sunny, even throughout winter, and we don’t get too much rain or wind or freezing cold compared to the other main cities of Aotearoa.
I love that nowhere is ever too busy, and that you’re only a 20 minute drive from a swim in a beautiful, calm bay. The pace of life is reasonably relaxed.
I like that we’re still a little bit imperfect from the earthquakes, there’s something strangely beautiful and humbling about the occasional building in ruins in our city centre.
We also have an abundance of really good food and coffee for a city of only 380,000!
Career highlight so far?
This is always a tough one but I’d say there are two moments that stand out – opening for Lorde in our hometown for her intimate show at the beautiful Isaac Theatre Royal in 2017, and playing at the National Gallery of Victoria last year.
Both shows were so much fun, some of our best performances, and I remember how special it felt, how honoured we were to be in those incredible spaces and have people enjoy our music.
Fave non-music hobby?
I love op-shopping! If that counts as a hobby. Christchurch is full of op-shopping gems and I have loved that thrill of finding a second-hand gem since I was about 14. I’ve also really gotten into a kickboxing/Crossfit gym that I’ve been going to for the last year.
I’m also quite big on film photography, some of which has featured in Yumi Zouma artwork – something I’ve been doing on and off since I was about 14 too, but after buying a Canon A1 last year I got hooked on it again!
What’s on your dream rider?
A frozen margarita machine, a bowl of really good authentic Japanese ramen, and a postcard from Matty Healy.
Dream music collaboration?
Probably The 1975. Or Phoebe Bridgers. Or ultimately Fleetwood Mac, but that would probably be a little too terrifying!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Living somewhere picturesque, near water, swimming a lot, still singing and making music, reading lots of books, hopefully content and loved and healthy. Or I’ve married rich and I’m living in a New York penthouse and drinking a lot of cosmos!
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Depending on the mood – ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie, or ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed. Also once did a very loud and very drunk rendition of ‘One Last Time’ by Ariana Grande in a karaoke room in Japan (LOL).
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Wear sunscreen every day. And never skip your vocal warm-ups!
What’s one obsession you have that no one would guess after listening to your music?
Uhhh I’m a relatively obsessive person, so there are a few things I’m quite passionate about – but the hardest to guess would probably be my Crown Lynn obsession? Crown Lynn was a ceramics manufacturer in NZ from the ’40s til the late ’80s and they made some really iconic designs.
I don’t have anything flashy in my collection (the swan vases go for $1000 sometimes) but I’ve picked up a lot of mugs and plates at charity shops that I love and use regularly and I’ve developed quite a knack for recognising a Crown Lynn piece off the bat!
Also – Josh is super obsessed with air travel, planes, airline status, airports – all that jazz. Although you could probably almost hear that in our music?
What makes you most proud to be Kiwi right now?
Taika Waititi! He’s such a gentle but powerful voice for our nation and his advocacy for indigenous people in his Oscars speech is exactly what the world needs a hell of a lot more of right now! He makes me really proud to be from NZ.
Also – with everything going on in relation to the US elections right now, I’ve become extra aware of and grateful for our healthcare system. It’s not always that great but I sure as heck don’t take it for granted as much as I used to!
Who did each of you grow up idolising?
As a kid I was pretty hooked on both Hilary Duff AND Avril Lavigne. I think they were my first CDs – and that’s probably where my affinity for pop music originated! My teenage idolising started with Panic at the Disco in my two years of high school and progressed into a deep obsession with Fleetwood Mac – I’ve idolised Stevie Nicks from about age 15, and she’s still my all-time fave.
I know Josh and Charlie both really loved the Mint Chicks. As for Olivia it’s hard to say – clearly I need to get to know her early influences better!
