Album of the Week: Present Tense by Yumi Zouma

Album: Present Tense
Artist: Yumi Zouma
Release Date: March 18, 2022
Label: Polyvinyl Record Co.
Favorite Tracks:

• Mona Lisa
• Where the Light Used to Lay
• Astral Projection

Thoughts:

The fourth album from Yumi Zouma, a band based out of Christchurch, New Zealand, features lead vocalist Christie Simpson’s ethereal vocals layered over dreamy guitar pop.  I try not to let nostalgia guide my taste but this music is reminiscent of electronic pop of the 1980s or perhaps an early 90s group like The Sundays.

Rating: ***

 

Album of the Week 2022

January

• Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
• Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
• Adele –30 
• Tran Uy Duc – Came
• Yard Act – The Overload
• Aoife O’Donovan – Age of Apathy

February

• Tanya Taqaq – Tongues
• Various Artists – Summer of Soul soundtrack
• Mitski – Laurel Hell
• Shamir – Hetrosexuality

March

• Lady Pills – What I Want
• Stromae – Multitude
• Jenny Hval – Classic Objects

Song of the Week: “Peace With The Damage” by Deer Scout

Deer Scout – “Peace With The Damage”

A lovely folk-pop tune from the Brooklyn-based Deer Scout that is a collaboration with her father on a song her mother originally sang.  I’ll need to check out Deer Scout’s full album Woodpecker when it is released on April 8.

Song of the Week 2022

January

• “Colonizer” by Tanya Tagaq
• “Empties” by Pigeon Pit
• “Who Has Seen the Wind” by David Byrne and Yo La Tengo
• “Kurunba” by Rokia Koné & Jacknife Lee

February

• “Hunting Doves” by Rachel Sumner
• “Floating Garden” by The Nunnery
• “On My Way” by A La Una (feat. Kimmortal)
• “Dry” by Kendra Morris

March

• “King” by Florence + the Machine
• “It’s Over, If We Run Out Of Love (Featuring Raven Violet)” by David Holmes
• “Famously Alive” by Guerilla Toss