🎶 Yumi Zouma’s ’95’: A Nostalgic Pop Journey on the Eve of a New Era

From a long-distance bedroom project in 2013 to a globally-toured alternative pop powerhouse, the story of New Zealand’s Yumi Zouma is one of persistent evolution and infectious melody. Known for their shimmering blend of dream-pop and lush synth-pop, the band has consistently captured the zeitgeist of the indie scene. Now, with the release of their new single ’95’, they usher in a fresh chapter that promises both nostalgic comfort and an exciting sonic shift.

’95’ is the opening track to the band’s upcoming fifth studio album, No Love Lost To Kindness, an album that sees them embracing a new, wider sonic palette that dips into heavier, grunge-inspired territory (as heard on tracks like ‘Drag’ and ‘Blister’) while still celebrating their core pop sensibilities.

The Sound of ’95: Classic Yumi Zouma Reimagined

While recent singles like ‘Drag’ have leaned into a grittier, alt-rock texture, ’95’ appears to act as a bridge—a warm, melodic embrace that recalls the delicate, signature sound that first earned them blogosphere adoration and high-profile touring slots with artists like Lorde.

As the track that sets the stage for the No Love Lost To Kindness album, ’95’ is one of the songs noted to retain the band’s signature synth and dream-pop feel, contrasting with some of the album’s more angular rock moments. It is a testament to the band’s songwriting chemistry—developed initially as a cross-continental file-sharing project before they officially convened.

The single’s allure lies in its ability to transport the listener. It’s a track steeped in a particular kind of romantic, wistful melancholy, driven by Christie Simpson’s signature ethereal yet emotionally resonant vocals. The track title, ’95’, itself suggests a deliberate dive into a specific moment of nostalgia, fitting perfectly within the band’s mastery of crafting pop confections that feel both deeply intimate and universally relatable.

A Decade of Transcontinental Pop Perfection

The journey to ’95’ is as multifaceted as the band’s discography:

• 2014-2015: The Home-Recording Dream-Pop Phase: The early releases, EP I and EP II, established their unique sound—a woozy, chillwave-indebted dream-pop that was recorded by swapping files between band members living on different continents following the Christchurch earthquake.

• 2016: The Synth-Pop Debut: Their first full-length, Yoncalla, was a move toward a more polished classic synth-pop sound, recorded at Motorbass studio in Paris with the late Philippe Zdar.

• 2017: Back to the Roots: Willowbank saw them return to a New Zealand home-recording environment, embracing a more “organic take on the synthpop” sound.

• 2020-2022: Global Inspiration: Truth or Consequences and Present Tense were recorded in global hubs (Los Angeles, London, Florence), continuing their knack for crafting infectious hooks centered around themes of heartbreak, self-doubt, and wobbly acceptance.

• 2023: The Bridge: EP IV served as a transitional release, hinting at the new sounds to come while retaining their melodic core.

Their continued willingness to experiment, now seen in the bolder, grungier elements of the new album, is what keeps Yumi Zouma one of the most exciting and consistent acts in the alternative pop and indie music scene.

What to Expect from No Love Lost To Kindness

The album, recorded after the band assembled in Mexico City, marks a shift. Band members Josh Burgess and Charlie Ryder produced the album, embracing a rawer, heavier sound compared to the “shimmering dream-pop” of their past. They describe the process as more experimental and playful.

While tracks like ‘Drag’ and ‘Blister’ deliver on the promise of heavier guitars and industrial synths—a loud, cathartic turn—songs like ’95’ and the heartfelt ‘Phoebe’s Song’ ensure their melodic heart remains intact.

’95’ is more than just a single; it’s a beautifully crafted signal of Yumi Zouma’s decade-long mastery of pop and a perfect entry point for new listeners, while offering a familiar warmth to long-time fans as the band charges into its next adventurous chapter.