She & Him – The Capitol Studios Session EP

A lot of people seem to have had quite a problem with Zooey Deschanel. It may well be because in her early career she starred in some really awful films – Failure to Launch being just one example, or because the music she makes as part of She & Him with M. Ward is almost impossibly twee at times. I can understand people’s problems with her vintage, cool girl schtick, but here’s the thing: she’s very, very good at what she does. Her sitcom New Girl has proven that she can act and be very funny, the website that she co-founded, Hello Giggles, is a brilliant source of lifestyle articles for women and, even if you don’t like the music, her style singing style perfectly suits She & Him’s music.

The project has now produced three albums, imaginatively titled Volume One, Volume Two and Volume Three. Their new EP, The Capitol Studios Session, offers up re-imaginings of four songs from their latest record. The selections are very characteristic; dreamy and swoon worthy, calling to mind the archetypal 50s diners seen in films like Pleasantville. “I Could’ve Been Your Girl” is a fast paced take down of an ex-lover, while “Snow Queen” is an altogether lovely, slower number, Deschanel crooning that “There’s no tomorrow for me and you”.

Unfortunately, there just doesn’t seem to be any point to it – precisely none of the interpretations here are noticeably different from the album versions. They’re supposed to be more ‘intimate’ recordings, but bar a slightly more stripped back approach, and slightly muddier production, there’s really not a huge amount to differentiate them. Deschanel’s vocals sound beautiful, sure, and it’s a pleasant enough listening experience but those buying the EP on top of Volume Three may feel a little short changed.