Yumi Zouma stick to their profitable file-sharing formulation on the third and ultimate entry of their career-spanning EP trilogy, dropping Friday (Sept. 28) through Cascine. Below, Billboard has an unique first hear of the EP as we speak (Sept. 25).
The New Zealand band — composed of Charlie Ryder, Christie Simpson, Josh Burgess and Olivia Campion — have largely labored individually since their debut EP I in 2014, however years of touring and an abundance of cross-continent flights have allowed the group to refine their distinctive collaborative course of. EP III throws all of that out with a return to fundamentals incited by a accomplished tour and cleared label slate following the discharge of their sophomore album Willowbank in 2017, together with a refreshed appreciation for the liberty of particular person, distant contributions.
“For the first time we were an unsigned band and it made us think more outside of the box,” Burgess tells Billboard. “When we started thinking about making more music, an album seemed overwhelming and frankly, boring…we all got excited at the prospect of working quickly and without a huge amount of thought into how [a song] fits into a longer format.”
The group pored over 150-plus demos that went so far as again as 2013 when the band shaped, and although they salvaged bits and items of concepts for the brand new set, nearly all of the EP is totally recent materials. By revisiting their previous work and attempting the previous method of issues with some new tips, the band has recaptured the magic whereas pushing themselves ahead.
“With Willowbank and [debut album] Yoncalla to a point, we spent quite a lot of time collectively writing and recording. This contrasted the primary two EPs, the place 75 p.c of the time, we had been unfold aside making these songs,” Burgess explains. “EP III is a return to that format, and reminded us of that workflow which definitely has its benefits and drawbacks.”
Burgess singles out the EP’s first two singles “In Camera” and “Crush (It’s Late, Just Stay)” as examples of with the ability to “go a bit more bombastic because you’re only thinking about how a song relates to 3-4 others versus a whole album.”
Though the 2 standout tracks definitely recommend a much bigger sound for the group, the unrestrained and democratic method creates a cohesion for the brisk set that matches comfortably with the band’s nimble retro-indie pop sound.
“Hopefully it’s just more fun music that people connect with,” Burgess provides. “I understand that there is a lot to say in 2018 and I have a lot of respect for people that can do that via their lyrics, but that’s not really who we are as people. We’re feeling and sharing the same frustrations and a song like ‘Crush,’ for me at least, was an outlet to a lot of energy inside of me.”
EP III might function a notable conclusion to this period of Yumi Zouma, however it suggests the start of one thing a lot larger.
Check out EP III beneath completely on Billboard.
