Description

She & Him, the acclaimed twosome of and Zooey Deschanel are known for the stylish arrangements, sophisticated interpretations, and sharply drawn originals they have perfected across their exceedingly fruitful six-album, 14-year collaboration. Now, with Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson, their seventh full-length release (and first for Fantasy), the duo has crafted a love letter to 60s-era Southern California-inspired pop that stands on its own as a defining musical achievement.

Produced by and mixed by Tom Schick (Wilco, Norah Jones, Iron and Wine), Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson is the pairs first in six years and features an abundance of smartly chosen Wilson/Beach Boys compositions, some universally beloved and others a little less familiar. All of them though, whether ingrained in your soul or hearing for the first time, share a flair for the dramatic. Ward and Deschanel bring their uncanny communal musical instincts to these pop-noir confections and re-imagine them for these times.

The inviting, twangy album opener, Brian Wilson and Mike Loves Darlin, (from the Beach Boys 1967 album Wild Honey) sets a high bar that She & Him meets throughout. The duos devoted take on Wouldnt It Be Nice is especially revealing. Most wouldnt consider touching the stone-cold classic, yet they lean into it with unabashed joy. Elsewhere, the bands sublime version of Wilsons mournful Til I Die is a three-minute and 22 second marvel. Deschanels spectacular vocal turn on the criminally overlooked Wilson solo cut Melt Away transforms the originals lush, string-heavy treatment into a post-modern folk-pop gem. Other highlights include the surf-rock throwback Do It Again, featuring vocals from Brian Wilson himself (!) and the graceful Please Let Me Wonder, a long-treasured Wilson album cut. Finally, the Beach Boys timeless Dont Worry Baby might be the albums centerpiece and most affecting track. earthy, laconic lead vocal layered over an exquisite arrangement feels organic and completely new just like this album, a stunner in every way.

Genre: Indie Pop, Classic Rock, Covers, Twee Pop, 60s Rock

Mood Descriptions: Summer Vibes, Upbeat, Beach, Feel Good, Roadtrip, Cloudgazing

Like Artists: Jenny Lewis, Rilo Kiley, Camera Obscura, Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, Kate Nash, the bird and the bee, Belle and Sebastian, Regina Spektor, The Shins, Feist, Cat Power, Andrew Bird, Neko Case.