In New Zealand, every Christmas is a Christmas in July. Except, unlike America’s Christmas in July, New Zealand’s Christmas in July is in December — you know, when Christmas is. Everybody follow? What I’m trying to say is, New Zealand is a magical place where Santa Claus surfs, and Rudolph is a red-nosed reindeer because that’s the one spot he forgot to put sunscreen on. And from that magical place comes Willowbank, the latest album from Yumi Zouma.
Willowbank is Yumi Zouma’s first major release to be written and recorded entirely in the band’s home of New Zealand. Specifically recorded during the summer/holiday season, the album has a relaxed-yet-festive vibe. This is apparent on the rather appropriately titled (for purposes of this post) lead single, “December,” a song whose breezy melodies feel imbued with a spirit and sense of familiarity one can only experience upon going home for the holidays.
Willowbank is out October 6 via Cascine, and can be pre-ordered in limited edition baby blue vinyl, normal black vinyl, and a number of digital audio formats here. Yumi Zouma is also going on a North American tour in the month of October, and you can find all their upcoming dates down below. While you’re down there, listen to “December,” and be transported to a land where Frosty the Snowman is made of sand, and the Grinch never steals Christmas because he’s too busy relaxing on vacation. (If the thought of the Grinch in a red speedo doesn’t get you hyped for this album, I don’t know what will.)
Willowbank tracklisting:
01. Depths (Pt. I)
02. Persephone
03. December
04. Half Hour
05. Us, Together
06. Gabriel
07. Carnation
08. In Blue
09. Other People
10. A Memory
11. Ostra
12. Depths (Pt. II)
Yumi Zouma dates:
10.18.17 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theater
10.19.17 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
10.20.17 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
10.21.17 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
10.23.17 - Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
10.24.17 - Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
10.25.17 - New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
10.26.17 - Boston, MA – Lilypad
10.27.17 - Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz
10.28.17 - Toronto, ON – Smiling Buddha