Deschanel charms on new She & Him album

Often when Hollywood actresses foray into the music industry, the result is overproduced and underwhelming – case in point, Scarlett Johansson’s disastrous debut album. Luckily, indie film darling Zooey Deschanel’s notoriously cheery demeanor has given birth to an equally pleasant sophomore release.

“Volume Two” is the second collection of exceedingly sweet love songs from She & Him – the duo of Deschanel and producer/guitarist M. Ward – off Merge Records. More famous for her leading roles in last year’s indie smash “(500) Days of Summer” and the Christmas classic in which she debuted her singing voice “Elf,” Deschanel has proven herself to be a bonafide double-threat.

Deschanel’s sultry, smooth vocals are surprisingly easy to listen to. She is by no means a classically great vocalist, but simple songs lend themselves to straightforward singing. Her style is reminiscent of 1960s girl groups, and you can almost picture Deschanel standing centered in front of two backup sings, smiling while swaying her hips and snapping her fingers.

Though Deschanel penned 11 of the album’s 13 tracks herself, her lyrics can often come across as predictable and excessively simple. Still, there are a few one-liners that stick out like a sore thumb; on “Don’t Look Back,” a happy-go-lucky break-up song about moving on, Deschanel pleads to her failing lover, “I don’t have to see you every day, but I just want to know you’re there.”

This isn’t to say that the simplicity of Deschanel’s lyrics doesn’t match the overall feel of “Volume Two.” On the album’s catchiest track “Over It Over Again,” Deschanel sounds ever-so-cute as she sings, “Why do I always want to sock it to you hard?” It would feel contrived to hear her sing about something other than having fun in the sun, spending endless hours on a beach and getting caught in an old lover’s clutches yet again.

Other standout tracks include the NRBQ cover “Ridin’ In My Car” and the album’s closing song, a goose bump-rousing lullaby titled “If You Can’t Sleep.” On the absolutely infectious “I’m Gonna Make It Better,” Deschanel assures her lover that she can mend all wounds, singing, “I’m gonna get the best and lock it up and swallow the key.”

Ward’s guitar and orchestral arrangements often take the backseat to provide the kind of minimalist feel that allows Deschanel to bloom. This album would not have been successful if Ward had overstepped his boundaries as a producer. Though the name of the band is She & Him, it’s clear that she wears the pants.

Where Deschanel lacks complexity, she makes up with enthusiasm. There is no hidden agenda, only the need to have an uproariously fun time singing about the things she is fascinated with: home, love and heartbreak.

“Volume Two” is a straightforward pop album that’s sure to both please listeners and keep them coming back for multiple plays. The initial cringe factor of such a sugary-sweet delivery wears off quickly and ultimately leaves the listener humming along and dreaming of summer.