Merge Records

By Sedera Ranaivoarinosy

When actresses suddenly decide they want to sing, there are legitimate reasons to worry. It’s easy to try to make profit off a prominent personality, even by having them do something they might not be great at.

Zooey Deschanel has always sang; her goal when studying drama in college was to do musical theater. And while she first had that “actress to singer” apprehension when She & Him’s Volume One came out in 2008, she passed the test with flying colors.

But now she must face the other hurdle music journalism has imposed on recording artists – the sophomore album test. And all is good, She & Him’s Volume Two doesn’t disappoint.

Deschanel and M. Ward, known for his own folk singer-songwriter skills, have worked out a perfect team arrangement: she writes, he produces. The combination offers fresh pop songs that bring back the sound of the 60’s with their use of harmonies, reverb and even a cover of NRBQ’s “Ridin’ In My Car”.

“Don’t Look Back” is the quintessential surf rock tune, and feels like it was taken from a Beach Boys’ album. “Lingering Still” even sways into a Hawaiian mood. Everything feels sweet on this album, whether she’s singing about dysfunctional love in “Thieves”, or wasting time in “I’m Gonna Make It Better”.

The record has a wonderfully playful, almost childish quality. The call and response game between the piano melodies Deschanel plays and Ward’s sharp guitar riffs makes you bob your head from side to side without you even noticing. It’s perfect for times when you’re feeling down. Deschanel’s voice is beautiful and clear and all the arrangements are slick and polished while staying simple enough so you can sing along.