As its creatively titled name would suggest, She & Him’s “Volume Two” is very much the sequel to their 2008 debut, “Volume One.” The duo, comprised of singer-actress Zooey Deschanel (“(500) Days of Summer,” “Elf”) and musician M. Ward, presents a new batch of sunny, ’70s pop-inflected ditties perfect for cruising along the beach or road tripping back to Americana. Deschanel has been providing the masses with retro-hip adorableness for pretty much the past decade, ever since 2000’s “Almost Famous.” Kudos to her for succeeding where many others have failed–comfortably straddling the line between actress and musician.
Although the band is a collaboration between Deschanel and Ward, it’s really a showcase for Deschanel’s substantial songwriting and singing skills. Her personality shines through all 13 tracks. Their sophomore effort is much more polished and put together than their debut. “Volume Two” has more of a natural flow and fancier production than the girl and boy with a guitar style of “Volume One.” However this comes at a cost–their new glossiness lacks some of the spontaneity that made their first album so charming.
It would be easy, but incorrect, to classify She & Him as another indie act–they’re quite the opposite. Their music isn’t indie by any means so much as it is just pure, unabashed pop. While perhaps not the greatest singer, Deschanel sings completely unaffectedly, without any of the traces of pretension that bog down so many hipster artists. She sings as sweetly and earnestly as a choirgirl. Her voice on “Volume Two” is airier and, at times, wistful, particularly on opening track “Thieves.” Deschanel’s voice is shrouded in a pronounced echo, producing a dreamlike quality for the song. It sounds best when grounded by the smooth warmth of Ward’s voice, like on their NRBQ cover “Ridin’ in My Car,” one of the standout tracks on the album.
Deschanel and Ward pay tribute to their influences with pretty, Beach Boys-esque harmonies and twangy, laidback guitars. The smiling harmonies and clear, bouncy piano of “Don’t Look Back” are a nod to the all-girl pop groups of the ’60s.
The opening guitar of their single “In the Sun” radiates warm sunlight. Musically, it feels like an actual slice of the sun, even though Deschanel is crooning about being brushed off. Likewise, even though Deschanel pines for her faraway lover on “Home,” you know she does it with a blithe smile on her face. Listeners can either toss their light melodies aside or embrace She & Him’s effervescent optimism, but regardless, it’s clear in their music that Deschanel and Ward love what they’re doing. It’s that gleeful sincerity that keeps their music so honest.
She & Him’s cheerful pop confections are not for everyone. Some may find their saccharine melodies too sickly sweet to stomach. However, they are not making music for the cynical. With She & Him, you know exactly what you’re getting. To complain otherwise is just being difficult, like wishing that smiley-face sticker wasn’t so irritatingly happy. With “Volume Two,” She & Him is ringing in a summer season full of fizzy fun, lazy, hot afternoons and carefree days frolicking in the sun. It’s up to you if you want to join, but we all know where they’ll be.